Tower Beads

I am always trying to think of new ways to manipulate image transfers. I like figuring out how to use them in ways they shouldn't work. My experiments this weekend resulted in these little four-sided beads I'm calling "Tower Beads." The images are from a collection of ethnic patterns, specifically Hawaiian Tapa cloth designs I purchased from Linda Gross at ParrishLin.

These are the first two Tower Beads, but I have many more planned. The "end caps" are faux amber, a gorgeous butterscotch color, which I stamped with a pebbled stamp. I love combing my three favorite techniques: Faux, stamping/embossing and image transfers.

I have all sorts of ideas for these, but I think the shape lends itself well to these ethnic patterns.

I also experimented with these smaller Tower Beads, using an Egyptian Hieroglyphic texture sheet on a base of faux amber, a dark burnt sugar caramel color. I love this color, and it compliments this deep, rich antique copper color that has become a signature color for me.

Here are a few more of the faux amber batch, some of which have the Egyptian Hieroglyphic stamping and some a basket weave pattern.