Needle and Hook

 I was in Barnes and Noble waiting for my husband so I decided to  browse the magazines.  I came across the March/April issue of Piecework in the craft section with a tambour hook on the cover and I had to buy it.  

The tambour article was great but another article in the same issue by Arlene Baker really caught my interest.   Arlene is a bead artist,  and author of Beads in Bloom Interweave Press 2002.   She has an extensive collection of vintage ribbon flowers and flower making tools, and offers a large variety of classes in flower making and beading in her studio next to her home in sunny California.  She also sells kits to create some of the flower bouquets pictured in the photos below.  Arlene has a collection of 50 different antique metal molds used to make flowers, leaves, and petals.  She has had the molds reproduced ( by her husband and brother!) and sells the molds separately.

Arlene does not have a web site or a blog... so sad.... but she has e-mail ArleneBkr@aol.com or can be called at (562) 928-3583.

I e-mailed inquiring about the flower molds and  received a wonderful e-mail back from her with loads of information.  She asked for my telephone number and called me the next day.  We had a long conversation, it was like talking to a longtime old friend.  I explained what I was looking for and she is going to make some flower samples and mail them to me. Can't wait to get them!!  If you get a chance pick up a copy of Piecework and read the articles....

P.S. I have finished all my psychedelic circles and the second quarter of the background is beaded.  I will photographed it when I get it all basted together.