Bead Journal May

These are the last of the BJP photos for the May project.

Just a couple of different views.

And an explanation of the construction. The embroidery base is Lacey Stiff Stuff. The fabric used for the back and inside is from JoAnn's Fabrics. The beads are simple seed beads with a couple of pressed glass leaves thrown in. The stringing material is Silimide and I used a #10 beading needle. I used Kato polymer clay for the transfer and WeldBond to adhere the polymer to the fabric. I really enjoyed this piece. Working on polymer beads tomorrow.

Progress & Possibilities

This is the piece I entered in the competition. I created it using extruded polymer canes for the lower half. The top half is sculptural peyote stitch done in seed beads that change tonal value from white to a light beige.

The circles and squares are life's moments. Some dark spots mixed in with the brights (ups and downs), but ever changing. Some of the patterns flow smoothly and others are jammed on top of one another. Sometimes life takes a hard turn and sometimes it goes in circles. You go along kind of taking things for granted, day after day, square after square, moment after moment, and then, one day you find a lump on your body that wasn't there before and the pattern of your life changes forever.

Bead Journal May

Each monthly Bead Journal Project has been a joyous challenge for me. A creative assignment due by the end of the month.

I get to experiment and play and then have "show and tell". Then the realization of--but I will also be sharing emotions--hit. Oh jeez, how would that be-on the internet, yet?

And, what surprised me even more was viewing other Bead Journal Project members' work and being completely moved by their sharing.

Robin Atkins' April's Bead Journal Project really touched my soul. Her piece was on "Forgiveness" and it was beautiful. If you get a chance stop by her blog, Beadlust to take a look.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY!

"It's All About Creating" blog is a year old today! I can't believe I really made it. I posted almost daily; missing a few weeks for a surgery and some time for a retreat. I am so proud of myself! This blog has brought so much joy into my life it's hard to put into words. The readers who made comments have encouraged me and touched my heart.

I'm as happy as a young girl at her first dance with her dance card filled. (Mine from 1962)

I've learned some great tips and tricks from other artists who were generous enough to share and been inspired by others' work. When I look back through this past year I can see that I have grown through my experience of blogging. I've met goals and challenges I didn't think I could and that's a biggie for me. I've shared feelings, taken risks and felt an affirmation through this process.

The best part has been making friends through blogging, emails, comments and forums. I sincerely thank you for being there through my failures and disappointments and my successes and joys. Thank you, thank you, thank you. - Marlene Brady

One year and counting.......(see you tomorrow)

Bead Journal May

"And the day came when the risk to stay tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom." - Anais Nin

Taking risks is so scary. I have put off entering competitions or showing my work because without a formal art education, what chance does one have? Recently, I entered the Progress and Possibilities competition. I have wanted to enter for years. Such a simple thing--just to enter, and yet I was terrified. Fear of criticism, fear of rejection, fear of failure, just plain fear. Not knowing how to "size" the entry photo or word the description were just overwhelming. It felt so good just to do it!

Entering Robin Atkins' Bead Journal Project was a huge step. I wanted to combine polymer with beading, but was apprehensive. How would that go over? Then I found out the BJP was about expressing oneself through beads. The monthly project could be covered in beads or have only a few, as long as it had some beads, it could include other materials.

I love creating with polymer and being able to combine it with my beading has been a great bonus.

In a Slump

So unhappy with these herringbone neck pieces. Put a lot of work into them and I hate them. These are done with old beads I thought I would use up. Wrong.

The more I went on, the worse it got. But the colors are so perfect, I told myself, I can make this work. The jade colored glass beads were so sharp and mis-shapen, the thread kept breaking. But did I listen? No. Just wanted to be creating something and it was so pretty. Doing, not creating. Arghhhh, doing it again. Tomorrow I am switching to clay. I'm going to try to use up some really old clay. Why am I trying to salvage these "unsalvagable" things?

Painted Ladies

My Painted Ladies are getting getting away from me. Too much going on. It's funny, when I'm not feeling well, I get lost in the process of what I'm creating and it becomes just that.....a process rather than a creation. It's a matter of just "doing" something so I'm not thinking or feeling. Not a joyful thing. They look so stressed.

Dominoes

From Dice to Dominoes. This is my "homage" to dominoes.

A sculptural peyote base with vintage beads and crystals.

And little plastic dominoes.

Roll the Dice

I drilled some holes in the dice and wired them for jump rings and attached them to an old charm bracelet I had.

I attached a Ying and Yang charm (to keep balance), an old vintage compass (not to lose my way) and one of my sterling silver signature tags at one end.....

.... and a horseshoe (for luck) and a 4 leaf clover (more luck) at the other end. I'm hoping it will bring me lots of luck and I will hit the jackpot the next time we go to the casino.

Lampwork Necklace III

I purchased three of Michael Barley's lampworked beads in neutral colors and strung them with an assortment of vintage beads and freshwater pearls.

I used sterling silver cones with a sterling silver "S" clasp. I used 20 gauge dead soft sterling wire to make my wraps and Beadalon to string.

Lampwork Necklace II

This is my lampwork necklace that I completed at the Kate Fowle workshops.

I made each of the glass beads. Compared to yesterday's post, one would think I would not admit that, but I have to say I am so proud of this piece. I earned my merit badge on this one.

Lampwork Necklace I

This lampwork necklace was made by Kate Fowle. It is a "sampler" necklace of her lampworking techniques done in black and white with tiny touches of subtle dark red. I took two weekend master classes from her and thought I could learn lampworking. As I was settling into my workspace, I admired the sampler necklace she was wearing. Oooooh, I want to make one of those, I thought.

Three minor burns later I realized this was not for me. At the end of the workshops, I asked her if I could just buy the necklace she was wearing right off her neck.

It's gorgeous. The Bali silver beads she used are a perfect compliment to her beads. I now appreciate the skill involved in creating flameworked beads. I sat in awe as I watched her effortlessly create one of her "gumball machine" beads and she also gave a demo on one of her sculptured Goddess beads.

Anyway, I purchased her sampler and have enjoyed every minute of wearing it.

I love this necklace; mostly because of a wonderful learning experience and I appreciate what went into creating each and every one of those designs.

Another Slider

This is the same neck piece, but with the slider I made with the kit from Scorpio Beads.

The lampworked flowers and leaves are gorgeous. See my May 8, 2010 post for more information.

Versatile Free Form Peyote Necklace

I'm done adding to it and I'm satisfied. I like the versatility of being able to change focal pieces.

Polymer Leaves, Resin Flower

Yes, I couldn't leave it alone. I'm still adding to it. I love the polymer leaves.

The above photo shows the peyote circle. I added the loops thinking they may keep it centered and help with the weight distribution.