A collection of random thoughts!

Every once in a while, the muse needs to step back, reflect, and then deal with all of the random thoughts bombarding her during the day! As the rest of you deal with this as well, perhaps we should discuss some coping mechanisms. Who am I kidding? I have no idea how others cope with life, and I’m certainly not an expert, so I just plan to ramble on until I run out of words!! But isn’t the photo pretty (it's one I took on my river walk)?

Speaking only for myself, I seem to be all over the place with my art lately! Am I a bead, fibre, or mixed media artist? Why should I categorize myself, if I enjoy what I’m doing? I guess the term “mixed media” probably fits the best, because then I can do basically, anything that I want to do. Is that a fair statement? Perhaps the problem isn’t the terminology, but rather the lack of focus on any one thing. Should that be my focus? Should I focus more on focusing? Should I start to make lists? Would that make me more productive? Who knows??

One thing I do know, is that lifelong learning is a very important part of my life. My intent is to continue exploring and expanding my art! I get easily bored, and once I master (to the best of my ability) a technique, my muse tells me that it’s time to learn something new. Granted, not always entirely new, but instead, a marriage of both old and new techniques. Take this week, for example! I’ve started working on a new bead embroidery (future class alert!), but my plan is to adapt and execute it, with some ideas I learned in my fibre life. I’m even considering incorporating hand embroidery into the piece, although it is quite small, and I don’t want to “busy up” my palette! I’d love to show it to you, but it’s an ugly stage, so instead I’ll just say that it involves flowers, land and sky. The colours are red, black, and I’m not quite sure about the sky yet!! As always, more to come later! The colours are correct, but the photo has absolutely nothing to do with my embroidery! It's just one I grabbed off Google Images.

Onwards and upwards to more randomness (and a couple more Google images)! Did you know that right brained people are clutter-holics? Not all of the quotes are clutter related, but here are some of my favourite art and creativity quotes:

“Creative mess equals creative thought” – Timothy Atwood.......... "To invent you need a good imagination and a pile of junk” – Thomas Edison.......... “Perfectly ordered disorder designed with a helter skelter magnificence” – Emily Carr.......... “Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint you can at it” – Danny Kaye.......... “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home” – Twyla Tharp.......... “One of the advantages of being untidy is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries” – A.A. Milne.......... “Imagination is the air of the mind” – Philip James Bradley.......... “Blessed are the cracked for they shall let in the light” – Unknown.......... “Play is the essential feature in productive thought” – Albert Einstein.......... “He who works with his hands is a labourer. He who works with his hands and his head is a crafter. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist” – St. Francis of Assisi

Are you ready to reflect, focus and make some small changes in your life? Review your knowledge base of techniques, and then try combining them into something new and exciting. Change is one of the constants in life, and isn’t it time you embraced it?

What's on my bead mat - October edition!

I thought that it was time to give you an update, on my beady activities! Well, my bead mat is actually a disgrace right now, so I decided to do my bead mat update, off the bead mat this time!! But the good news, is that I finished off a couple of projects this month.

First, my “Silly Goose” doll is now complete. Isn't she adorable? All the beading was finished in September, but I still needed to work out her hair. I normally add it right after I bezel the face, but this time the doll was telling me to mix up her media, and give her some needle felted hair. I had the needles, I had the hair…..all I needed to do, was…..wait for it…….actually do it!!!! I anticipated a lot of down time, at the recent BeadFX, Artisan Trunk show, so I used that free time, to do the deed. I’m not sure why I waited so long, but I did, so no excuses! As a freeform diva, I’m thinking that this doll is my favourite! I’ve been told that she doesn’t really look like a goose, but I’m committed to that name, and am not able to think of her in any other way. So much so, that I’m thinking that a wire nest is in order! What do you think? Although not green, I’m thinking that her riotous hair reminds me of someone else’s hair. I wonder who that could be? Giggle!

Next, I worked on a leaf shape, that I had hanging about. I quickly sketched a flower shape, that I’ve been doodling since I was a teenager, and then proceeded to bead it. This flower would normally have five petals, but there just wasn’t room for all five on this piece, so I elected to go with just four (although it doesn't follow my rule of one, three or five!). As a side note, I’ve drawn, painted, collaged, and free motion stitched this shape in the past, so I just had to bead it! The stitches used are a combination of beaded back stitch, and boucle or moss stitch (I also know it as the bocce stitch, but as I’ve never seen anything about that stitch in writing, I’m going to ignore that name). I’ll let the piece rest for a while, but I think my muse is trying to persuade me to incorporate it into a freeform necklace. Hmm, we’ll see!

Last, but not least, the little bead embroidered pendant, is something I finished off in my Nature’s Mood: Bead Embroidered pendant workshop, this past Saturday. It’s a class sample I started the last time I ran the class. My students were absorbed by their stitching, and the quiet was almost deafening! I hadn’t planned it that way, but It did give me time to get some stitching of my own done. Lucky me! After I initially planned the piece, I thought the stone/shell combination, reminded me of a rickety fence. However, now all I can see are sailboats! I'm not sure how I'll finish it off, but I suspect that leather might be part of the solution! It's not scheduled yet, but if you're interested in taking the class, I do plan to run it again in the spring.

Where will I go next? I have some ideas percolating, about the driftwood I picked up a couple of weeks ago, or perhaps my muse will let me start working on the naked purple doll! Or better still, I should clean off my bead mat! Sheesh! What are you working on, and what does your bead mat look like today?

Step into Summer Classes

Ahhh...the month of June. The end of a school year. Graduations. Finalizing summer vacations.

Before we get our summer in gear, let's have some fun now and take a class or two! You'll notice that we have lots of new classes including a new wire brooch project with Jen Rosen. Jenn Jevons and Liz Reynolds will be teaching separate classes to metal clay enthusiasts how to use this amazing medium for more constructed shapes and designs. Genevieve Habib is sharing her love of hubble stitch with a new design that combines hubble with ndebelle (aka herringbone). Pauline Peskoff brings four new projects that incorporates various techniques to create beautiful jewellery. We also have more encore classes and open session to whet your creative appetite!

Here are the classes scheduled June 1 - 15:

Thursday, June 2
Tic Tac Tila Bracelet
Instructor: Pamela Kearns
5:00 - 9:00pm

Open Metal Studio: Kiln Enamelling

Facilitator: Christine Woollacott

5:00 - 9:00pm

Saturday, June 4
NEW Wire Wrapping: Beginner Brooch
Instructor: Jen Rosen
10:00am - 1:00pm

NEW Construction and Hollow Forms in Art Clay Silver

Instructor: Jenn Jevons

10:00am - 4:30pm

(Class continues Sunday, June 5; 10:00am - 4:30pm)

Bead Stringing 101
Instructor: Nadine Foskin
2:30 - 4:30pm

Sunday, June 5
NEW Basic Ndebelle Hubble Bracelet: Circles in the Sky
Instructor: Genevieve Habib
12:00 - 3:00pm

Thursday, June 9
NEW Hunter's Pendant
Instructor: Pauline Peskoff
6:00 - 9:00pm

Wire Wrapped Stone Bracelet

Instructor: Bonni Poch

6:00 - 9:00pm

Friday, June 10
NEW Honeycomb Statement Necklace
Instructor: Pauline Peskoff
2:00 - 5:00pm

NEW Desert Rose Bracelet and Ring Set

Instructor: Pauline Peskoff

6:00 - 9:00pm

Saturday, June 11
NEW Linear Design in Metal Clay
Instructor: Liz Reynolds
11:00am - 5:00pm
(Class continues Sunday, June 12; 11:00am - 5:00pm)

Beading Without a Net: Intuitive Bead Embroidery

Instructor: Anne Marie Desaulniers

11:30am - 2:30pm

(Class continues Saturday, June 25; 10:00am - 5:00pm)

Sunday, June 12
NEW Lantern Earrings
Instructor: Pauline Peskoff
10:00am - 5:00pm

Complete information about each class and open session is on our website. Click on 'Classes' and follow the links to the June class calendar.

Bring your projects and join us at our FREE open beading sessions! 

Wednesday, June 8
Wednesday, June 15
Open Bead Night
Facilitators: Bonnie Cottingham, Pamela Kearns or Malliga Nathan
6:00 - 8:00pm

Thursday, June 2

Thursday, June 9

Afternoon Bead Tea

Facilitator: Pamela Kearns

1:00 - 3:00pm

We are pleased to offer these FREE sessions; however we request that you use our merchandise in our facility. Thank you.

There's nothing wrong with your beady status quo!

But it might be time to evaluate, just where you're going, in 2016.  If you're anything like me, you rarely make resolutions, but when I do, they are quite unstructured.  I do make plans, but most of them evolve and expand, naturally over time.  Ideas committed to paper, make me feel anxious and guilty, and no one needs that type of negativity in their life.  No guilt allowed, as it's sure to mess with your creativity!  Loose plans, can always be adapted, to the changing nature of art, work and life.  Planning is a positive thing, and combined with goals, should always be realistic and attainable.  But don't forget to build in some 'stretch' room, because growth is never really supposed to be easy.

Now it's time to jump off my soapbox!  My plans for this year, involve a new awareness, of where I would like to take my work.  I'll continue to expand my mixed media base, but also want to reach back into the past, and include more fibre (of the textile variety) in my life.  My plans involve the development of more bead embroidery, freeform peyote, and mixed media workshops, but I also feel the pull, to feed my soul with more personal artwork.  Where it fits with the business plan, I will share (via workshops), but if not, I promise that I'll still blog about it.

To evolve, and expand my technique addiction, I recognize that I'll need to participate in more workshops.  Fire, metal and enamel all fascinate me, but I'm certainly not ready to completely abandon my old favourites, for these new temptations!  So instead, I will take a few classes, and tentatively follow this new path.  These new tools, will be welcome additions, to an overflowing artistic toolbox!

I firmly believe that 2016 will be a growth phase for me, because if you're not evolving, you're standing still, and that can't be good!  I want to focus more on freeform peyote, bead embroidery, 3-D, and sculptural techniques.  Mixing beads, with fibre, paper, resin, wire, metal and found objects, continues to fascinate me, so I'll be sure to play with these in 2016!  Are some over-the-top statement necklaces in my future?  Of course, but keep in mind that I don't wear all that much jewellery.   I might like to submit something to a magazine, but that's what I would call a soft committment, so no promises!

 Now how about you?  Is your year already planned out in detail, or do you have room for something new?  Did you leave space for creativity, serendipity and growth?  Don't worry if you don't have big plans because small steps are often all you need.  Plan to learn something new, and expand your own creative toolbox!  I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the BeadFX website, is full of workshops and "Inspirations".  Not local, no problem, as books and the Internet are available 24/7,  Just promise to keep us in mind, if you ever visit Toronto.  Enjoy a happy, healthy and creative 2016!

Play and the art of gift giving!

Where has the year gone? Yikes, it's that time again! Time to start thinking about what you're going to do about holiday gift giving. Yes, I'm aware that some of you, have been preparing for this for months, but I'd like to think that you're in the minority. The vast majority (myself included), need the cooler temperatures, to get our collective rears in gear! The thermostat has dropped (and late this year, at that), so it's time to make some fast plans. As a dedicated crafter (now billing myself as a Mixed Media Artist), I've been making handmade gifts for years. I started with sewing related items (stuffed animals, pincushions, clothing, cushions, placemats and napkins), then quilting and applique (including framed landscapes), and now paper, beads and all sorts of mixed media projects. I'll begin with a photo of my Mother's toy sewing machine. Nope, nothing to do with beading, and not being gifted to anyone, but as photos of most of the earlier items are nonexistent; I thought that I would give you a little peek into my crafting history. The thimble was my maternal Grandmother's, and although small in size, is really quite beautiful!

Now back to gifts! Are handmade gifts more economical? Can you really afford the time? Will they be appreciated? Are you stuck for ideas? I guess the answers to these questions are very personal, and something that you will need to answer for yourself. However this type of gift, does give you an opportunity to show someone that you care. It doesn't need to be expensive, not everyone will appreciate it (just don't continue to give to those people), but there's a big sale on at BeadFX (25% off, almost everything in the store - runs until December 2nd), the books and magazines are chock full of ideas, and you might even have time to squeeze in a workshop or two (check out the class calendar, on the BeadFX website). You know, you want to!!!

As for ideas, I have a million playful ones (because you know that you love making stuff)! Here are just a few: beaded &/or bead embroidered necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, brooches, bezels, rings, ornaments, key rings, eyeglass holders/chains, pincushions, needle books, boxes and perhaps a little doll! A simple quilt block, collage, embroidery or landscape would look great framed, but don't forget to add beads, for an extra dash of pizzazz! Metal, polymer and metal clays present many options, as do Crystal Clay, Apoxie Sculpt and Ice Resin. How about making stitched and beaded covers for cell phones, tablets, eReaders and even handmade books? All this fun, is almost too much to stand!!

If you're anything like me, you'll probably be making gifts right up until the last minute.

But, do yourself a favour, and don't forget to treat yourself to something nice! Think of it as your reward, for getting through another holiday season (even though you probably won't be able to start working on it until January) Now get moving, relax and enjoy the playful journey, of making some very special gifts!!! Heh, heh...easy for me to say...I haven't even started yet......

By the way, no current holiday gifts have been exposed in this blog post, so don't start wondering, if one of them could be yours! LOL!!

We must remember to never forget!

John McCrae, a Canadian physician, composed the poem, "In Flanders Fields" on May 3, 1915, during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium. The poem was written, as a reaction to the death of one of his closest friends. According to Wikipedia, "The poem and poppy are prominent Remembrance Day symbols throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, particularly in Canada, where "In Flanders Fields" is one of the nation's best-known literary works. The poem also has wide exposure in the United States, where it is associated with Memorial Day."

As a child, I was asked to memorize, and recite this poem, during many of my early school years. It's one that I still remember, word-for-word, and promise to never forget! I will also never forget the meaning, as my mother's brother, Robert (who I never knew), was shot and killed by sniper fire, on December 27, 1943, during the battle of Ortona, Italy. Uncle Robert's effects, when returned to the family, apparently contained a Dear John Letter (from his fiance), a simple diamond engagement ring, and a metal and enamel necklace. The necklace and ring are in my possession, and the necklace, is something that I've wondered about for years. Was it made for a woman or a child (it's very small)? What type of metal is it (no marks)? How old is it? Who made it, and who was the intended recipient? Unfortunately, a mystery that will never get solved, at least to my satisfaction. Sigh!

The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance, that quite obviously, still strikes a chord, with people around the world. A virtual tide of red poppies, has flooded the internet over the last few days, with far more to come today! Poppies have been made into jewellery, with many and varied techniques. They've also been well represented in photography, crochet, knitting, felting, collage, painting, fibre art, bead embroidery, glass and polymer clay. While I don't remember my original design motivation, one of my earlier bead journal pieces, does include some fibre poppies. However, as it was not specifically made to honour our warriors, perhaps it's time for me, to create a larger, more important, work of remembrance!

Our countries were built on the sacrificies of our brave men and women of the military. A fact that we should never, ever forget!!

All dolled up!

You're never too old to start playing with dolls!   You're also, never too old to start doing something you're not comfortable with.  I did play with dolls as a child, but never really dragged them around, the way the other girls did.  However, I remember the total joy of believing that Santa tucked a brand new doll (well actually three, as I have two sisters) under the tree at Christmas!  As I grew older, I also confess to spending an awful lot of time, focusing on new fashion statements for Barbie!   But did I bond with the dolls?  No!  They were just a pleasant way to exercise my creative spirit, and spend some quality time with my sisters.  I don't actually remember any particular doll, other than the original Barbie (that I wish I'd kept in the original packaging).  Is that sad?

Somewhere in the early 2000's, I discovered Internet groups, and started joining any and all that caught my eye.  Suddenly, I was flooded with emails, inspiration and colour!  While I won't list all of my groups, I did entertain a particular fascination with Beaded Art Dolls.  Luckily, the group was kind enough to let me lurk in the shadows, drooling over all the pretties.  I loved the look of the dolls, but wasn't excited about the construction phase, and in the interest of full disclosure, I absolutely hated the stuffing part!!

Okay, fast forward to a year or so ago, when I changed my mind!  I had participated in a mini-doll swap, without tearing my hair out, so in the interest of Intuitive Bead Embroidery, and 3-D forms, I decided to make a slightly larger doll, and use it as a teaching sample.   Not only that, but I had the brilliant idea to include faces (which I had never made before), and provide pre-stuffed forms, as part of the student kits. Sigh!  Little did I know that it would be a very popular class, and I would be making a colourful smorgasbord of little dolls.

Fast forward to today!  I'm re-running my Nature's Muse: Beaded Art Doll class this Saturday, and like usual, I'm scrambling to stitch and stuff the forms.  I quite enjoy the designing and stitching, but still hate the stuffing!  However the results are worth it! These dolls are perfectly addicting, and though similar in naked form, take on unique personalities, once they start talking to you.  Not one, turns out the same, and my students love them!

So, don't be afraid to face your fears or objections.   It's never too late to regain the wonder of childhood, try something new, or even revisit an old skill.  You might be pleasantly surprised by the results!

Bead Embroidery Artist Linda Landy Coming to BeadFX!

Have you discovered the joys of bead embroidery? If so, you already know the variety of applications it can give you. Everything from structured collars and jewellery, to intuitive images, to surface embellishment for quilts and fabrics, and for 3-D objects of art, bead embroidery will inspire amazing works of art you can call your own! If you haven't done bead embroidery, you're about to be dazzled!


Linda Landy, author of Textured Bead Embroidery published in October 2014, will be coming to BeadFX to teach three exciting classes. Linda's classes are applicable to all experience levels, whether you are an experienced bead embroiderer or are learning about the techniques for the first time.

Textured Bead Embroidery Workshop
Friday, April 17; 10am - 5:00pm
Designed for both novice and experienced bead embroiderers, Textured Bead Embroidery Workshop is an intensive study of a new approach to bead embroidery which features unconventional works that are sculptural, three dimensional, dynamic and very textured. During this hands-on workshop students will work with a wide array of seed, glass and pearl beads to create a bead embroidered cuff. Students will learn how to use pearls, drops, daggers, hexes, triangles, Czech glass and more in uncommon orientations to create dramatic effects. In addition to a review of the basics including backstitch, stop stitch, bezels, bails and fringe, students will learn specialty Textured Bead Embroidery techniques like layering and clustering; three-dimensional engineering; finishing options and the design concepts that give this format its distinctive appearance. All experience levels.

Iconic Bead Embroidery Earrings
Saturday, April 18; 10:00am - 5:00pm
Explore three-dimensional bead textured embroidery with these elegant cone-shaped drop earrings sprinkled with pearls and crystals in patterns inspired by art deco architecture. The secret to these light-weight earrings is the texture created by the blending of seed bead shapes, colors and finishes. Students will learn basic bead embroidery techniques including the back stitch and stop stitch on a printed template; how to transform it into a three dimensional cone; how to finish it with lining, edging, embellishment and fringe; and how to use wirework techniques to transform it into an earring.
All experience levels.

Unleashed
Sunday, April 19; 10:00am - 5:00pm
This brooch/pin takes bead embroidery to a new dimension by creating the illusion of fireworks exploding from the center of a natural stone cabochon. After the cabochon is bezeled and embellished with Keishi pearls, Czech glass daggers, glass pearls and more, a cluster of keishi pearls and wire is embedded in the stone. All experience levels.

Cost per class: $160 + HST
Take additional classes and save:
Take any two classes: $300 + HST (save $20)
Take all three classes: $435 + HST (save $45)

Complete information about each class is on the website, including materials to bring to class and any applicable kit fees.