Texture talk!

I didn’t think that this blog post was ever going to get written! Some of you know that my old desktop crashed, only to be replaced by a new notebook. Unfortunately, my photo editing software doesn’t appear to be compatible with Windows 10, so I needed to search for a quick replacement! No time for research, so after a few misfires, I ended up just using Google’s own photo editor (the one that replaced Picasa). All I can say is that it works, and I was able to download my photos. No other info to share!

The real subject of this post, is to share my day at the beach! My friend Ann, a new instructor at BeadFX, wanted to gather supplies, for her upcoming, "Pebble Beach" bracelet class (don’t you love it when some of your supplies are free?). I’ve been wanting to collect small driftwood pieces for future projects (yes, they will involve beads!), so I decided to tag along. I love texture photos, so never visit the beach without my trusty camera! Candid photos are great, and who would know that a dead fish, would make such an interesting composition? What type of fish is it, and how did it end up beached, in such a sorry state? Inquiring minds want to know? I found the other wildlife to be much livelier, but still an interesting study in contrasts!

There are no jewellery photos in this post, but rest assured, there will be lots of jewellery and mixed media pieces, made from our collection efforts! As an artist, I’m a firm believer that you should never stick to just one discipline. I work with fibre, paint, beads, stones, resin, photography, paper, metal, natural materials, the written word, and just about anything else that suits my fancy. Don’t ever be afraid to mix your media! You never know when or where inspiration will strike, and photographs are often a good stepping off point for new projects. Think texture! Think colour! Think shape and form! Your normal palette could be bold, saturated colours, but what would happen if you introduced beachy theme projects, and crisp, gnarly, frothy, or crunchy textures? Wouldn’t that be a refreshing change of pace? I’m a strong believer in stepping outside of your comfort zone, cleansing your artistic sensibilities, and waking up your muse!!! My day at the beach, certainly did that for me! I’ve been wallowing in creative ennui lately, and needed to give myself a break.

Texture is front and centre in most of these photographs! Feel free to borrow the beach palette, and introduce relaxing colour, and soft inviting textures into your projects! No time to play with my driftwood for a while, but do keep tuned for future updates. As the days get cooler, it will be refreshing to work with these colours and textures in the coming months. You never know when you’ll need a day at the beach!

Dreaming of Bead&Button!

Don’t you hate when you start dreaming about something wonderful, that others are experiencing first hand? Bead&Button Show (see logo below), the largest consumer jewellery and bead show in the world, is currently in progress (June 3 – 13). Many of my colleagues and friends are in attendance, but alas, I am not! Do I have bead show envy? Perhaps!

A handful of our BeadFX instructors, including Amy, Christine, Kelly, Marilyn and Pam (did I miss anyone?), are also teaching at the Milwaukee show! How exciting!!! They join an army of world-class instructors, including many that have led workshops in our very own store (and will continue to do so in the future). Amazing and uplifting!

Would I go to the show if I had the opportunity? You bet I would! However, I find the thought of organizing everything so far in advance, and then teaching to such a large audience, a little daunting (okay, I'm human). The US exchange, the workshops and my purchases would kill my pocketbook, but it would certainly be a world class experience. Imagine visiting the market and buying drool worthy cabochons and other components, from friends that I’ve linked up with on the Internet. Cyberspace is great, but meeting some of these people, soaking up the ambiance, and seeing and touching their work, would be oh so much better. Sigh! The first photo is the fabulous work of Laura Mears (check her out on Etsy or Pinterest), and the second Marianne Kasparian's intriguing "Pods" (also on Etsy and Pinterest). Both photos were downloaded from their Facebook pages, for illustration purposes. Please visit their sites and shops, for more amazing work.

Let’s not forget Bead Dreams, Bead & Button’s Annual Bead Artistry Competition (you can even vote for your favourites). “Bead&Button Magazine sponsors Bead Dreams, a juried competition of exceptional bead artistry from around the world. The accepted pieces are displayed at the Bead&Button show and ribbons are awarded in seven categories.” I’d love to see these pieces in person. On Friday, Laura Mears posted a photo of Heidi Kummli's entry for the 2016 Bead Dreams People’s Choice Awards (shown below). Laura’s porcelain Crone Face and hands were used in this exquisite embroidered collar. I can’t even begin to guess how many hours of work went into this amazing piece. Do you suppose, if I close my eyes and wish really hard, a Laura Mears cabochon will magically appear in my stash? Plans, such plans!!!

I didn’t get to the show this year, but I can certainly live vicariously through the tales and experiences of my colleagues and friends. Dreams are free, and it doesn’t hurt to start planning for some year down the road. I will, I will, I promise I will!!! How about you?

What's on my bead mat? May edition!

I just realized that I’m cheating a little, because I didn’t actually take photos of the pieces on my bead mat. I forgot!!! It doesn’t matter, because each has been on said bead mat, at least once during the month. You wouldn’t want to see it right now, because it’s very messy, full of beads, and just waiting for me to either cram them back into their tubes, or get frustrated and mix up some bead soup! You know how it goes!!

You’ll notice that while the purple doll is still naked, I’ve actually made progress on my green one, and am currently loving the process! The working title for this one is “Silly Goose”, because Erin (who also works in that beehive of activity called BeadFX), told me that the form looked like a goose from the back. Isn’t it funny how a connection is made, and names are born?

I took a fabulous class with Robyn Cornelius, at BeadFX last Saturday, and made her Silver Wave Bangle. Okay, I admit that it wasn’t really on my bead mat, but I love it so much, that I just had to show it off! It all started out with a flat piece of silver. I’ve taken a few classes, and puttered about with metal, but certainly nothing this ambitious! Robyn is a fabulous instructor, and you’d be lucky to take one of her workshops! Believe it or not, this was completed in a one-day class!

I purchased these commercial bangles at a thrift shop, several years ago. I wonder if Liver of Sulfur would work to change the colour? It might be fun to try, even though I’m not sure which type of metal it is. Are any of you experts, ready to weigh in with an opinion?

I’m not telling you what this is, but promise to show it to you next week (that is, if I remember!).

Pearls, did I say pearls? These were in a stray bag, in a place they should not be, and I did not even remember buying them! Oops! I wonder what I should make? Did I ever tell you that I’ve been hoarding pearls? Do you suppose there will ever be a worldwide shortage? If so, I’ll be well set! I admit that I do have a germ of an idea, just waiting for a few stray minutes......I wonder where I’ll find those minutes this month?

My bead mat is going to be busy during the month of May! It’s finally spring, and well past time for renewal and regeneration! Although creativity is always present, it does need a little tweaking from time to time. I guess that May is good time to take action! Are you tempted to join me?

Give what you've got!

Okay perhaps not everything, but it would be nice if you could consider giving a little to underprivileged youth. BeadFX is gathering jewellery donations on the behalf of the Corsage Project, a non-profit initiative to help high school students, who cannot afford to go to their own school proms. "In 2000, the Corsage Project was created in partnership with the Children's Aid Foundation to help young women attend their prom by providing them with a new dress, accessories and a mini makeover - all free of charge. In 2010, the program expanded to provide formal wear to young gentlemen" (information copied from the Corsage Project website). I think that it's a wonderful and exceptionally worthwhile program! Imagine if you had not been able to attend prom with your peers? It would have been a devestating blow!

BeadFX staff (myself included), managers, instructors, and customers have all donated hand made jewellery &/or supplies to the project in the past, and will continue to do so this year. Last week, I started working on my 2016 donations. I carefully considered what a young lady would be interested in wearing, and then made a conscious effort to simplify and scale down my crazy mixed media tendencies. We're talking formal wear here! I thought that you might like to take a peek at my pieces. Two were made from deconstructed "Inspiration" components, and the remainder from my own stash. The design process is very similar, though working with someone else's components is interesting, to say the least! The pre-made necklaces were taken apart, mixed up, added to, and shortened (to fill in the neck of a gown). Would you like to try to guess which ones are mine? .

If you're interested in donating jewellery to this very worthy cause, items can be either delivered or dropped off at the store (during regular store hours). Gently used jewellery will also be welcomed, as long as it's appropriate to the occasion. If you'd like a little beading camaraderie, we plan on focusing on the project at our free Wednesday, Open Beading Night (March 23, 30 and April 6); and our free Thursday afternoon Bead Tea (March 24 and 31) - but please call the store first to reserve your place. We'd love to have you join us! The deadline for all donations is Wednesday, April 6th. I plan to make at least a few more items before that date! How about you?

Getting to know...Tracey Neidhardt

Tracey Neidhardt has become a familiar face at BeadFX, teaching seedbeading to many eager students.

"Since I was able to hold a pencil, I've drawn animals, people, flowers, etc. Later I picked up beading" says Tracey. "When I visited a store about 20 years ago, I saw a peyote stitched amulet pouch and said to myself 'I need to learn how to do this!'   So I took a class. It was amazing! And, I guess I’ve never looked back since then.

"Basically, I taught myself to learn other stitches by reading bead books to learn the other weaving techniques, such as brick stitch, square stitch, netting, right angle weave, and herringbone."


"Nature inspires me a lot," explains Tracey. "The leaves, trees, vines, flowers, and colours most of all. Also, quilts, tapestry, embroidery, antique prints such as linoleum and wall paper designs. Kaffe Fasset is definitely an inspiration, as is Gustav Klimt’s incredible paintings.  

Tracey adds, "I tend to see something inspiring, get an idea in my mind, and then basically pick up a needle and thread. I don’t graph out patterns generally. I make it up as I go – much more fun and creative for me, personally! It can be anything – a bracelet design, a three dimensional ring, a pendant. Colour is very important to me."

When asked if she collects and records ideas for projects, Tracey answered, "No, generally I don’t – only in my mind that is!  I remember patterns in nature, textiles, art, etc. that I would like to put into a beaded creation, and then I go from there."

"I absolutely love teaching. I enjoy the interest people take in creating something unique, the 'Oh my goodness, this is so much fun!' aspect from my students. Also, the process of students just beginning, then realizing they can do it, and then knowing they have created something special in just a few hours. And – having folks come back to me to show off their other masterpieces at a later time! If I could, I’d teach every day."

Tracey's advice to others who create? "If you can imagine it – you can create it," says Tracey. "Don’t be afraid of colour! You have a better  inner colour palette than you think!"

Upcoming classes with Tracey Neidhardt:

Peyote Ring with Crazy Embellishment
Thursday, September 18
6:00 - 9:00pm




 

Brick Stitch Leaf Earrings
Thursday, October 16
6:00 - 9:00pm

Getting to know...Deb Muss

Deborah Muss has been introducing potential lampworking students by giving them Just a Taste of how lampwork beads are made. Many students have gone on to take full introductory workshops to learn the art of how to make beads.

Like most of us, Deb was introduced to her creative side as a child. "I learned embroidery at an early age; my mother taught me to crochet and sew," she explains. "Soon I was altering patterns to make things fit me. Then I was into quilting, jewellery making and wood working. I have a closet full of craft stuff to cover any impulse. My mom is an amazing artist but somehow I did not inherit the gene to draw, so I had to channel my creativity into other art forms."

"As a teenager, I started making jewellery for myself and my friends," says Deb. "I would purchase glass beads or old necklaces to re-purpose. I still wear those earrings and I'm sure I've still got some of those beads in my closet." Her discovery of lampworking came from taking classes with Amy Waldman-Smith a number of years ago. "I was hooked," says Deb.

"I am inspired by many things - fashion, colours and necessity. I wanted to make a necklace with glass dangles," explains Deb, "and necessity forced my to figure out how to make headpins. Now I sell them at bead shows and at BeadFX."

"With respect to projects, I mainly make what I like and what appeals to me. I don't follow trends," she admits. "I also like to open my stash and see what I can put together. I have a notebook that I write or sketch ideas for future projects. I've also been known to use the back of a grocery receipt in a pinch."

"I love when I can get someone excited about lampworking and they want to continue with it by taking additional classes," says Deb.

When she isn't at BeadFX Deb is busy in the oil and gas industry. "Most days can be quite intense but I really enjoy my job and the people I work with. Plus, I get to travel and number of times a year and always try to sneak in a visit to a bead store, if I can."

Deb is also a 'tool junkie'! "I have refinished and recovered furniture; even built a few things," says Deb. "I have a secret desire to have a workshop like Norm Abram from the New Yankee Workshop television series.I drool overall all those tools and what can be done with a simple piece of lumber."

Deb's advice to others who create? "Don't stop! Make what you like. Take classes to learn new techniques even if you don't think you'll ever use them."

Upcoming classes with Deborah Muss:

Wednesday, August 13
Wednesday, September 17
Lampwork - Just a Taste
6:30 - 8:30pm