Kate Boyan's Gallery

MORE FEATHERS

2012-02-23T19:45:00.000-08:00

Still playing around with the feather necklaces...

FRUSTRATED AND BORED

2012-02-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

When I took on this project I knew it was going to be a lot of work. But now I'm back beading more sand. I really feel bored beading the small tan and grey beads on the rather large area because I just finished doing that. I know it has to be done for the sake of uniformity but it's no fun. I liked beading the seagulls because they were a challenge and the fish head was cool because I did it upraised, but now the drudgery of the sand has got me down. Nothing to do but force myself to stay at the table and do the work. I took a break and beaded this seagull feather and made it into a simple necklace on a silver chain. It looks good.

It's a new idea, so I don't

know how well they will sell. Any how, it was a fun distraction from the endless sand. Sigh...

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

2012-01-23T19:17:00.000-08:00

The year of the dragon, hope that's a good thing. Here's a dragon teapot that belonged to the grandmother of my husband and I thought it would make a good piece of beadwork. The color of the tablecloth is that periwinkle blue that I really like and use a lot. It's a little washed out in this picture. So anyhow the other day I found this vase ( at Salvation Army ) that is the periwinkle color, I thought that was unusual so I grabbed it. When I cleaned it up and got all the many stickers off the bottom, it said Yalos Casa Murano on the bottom. I know Murano is the famous town in Italy that is known for glass making. Does anyone recognize this vase or know anything about it. I bought it because it reminded me of a favorite bead color but now I think it might be a find! FUN

ONE DOWN, FIVE TO GO

2012-01-11T21:32:00.000-08:00

Here's the finish piece. One down and five to go! This is because I'm doing three pieces that are looking east (up river) and three pieces looking west (towards the mouth of the river). The east looking sides will be the morning high tide and the west looking sides will be the evening high tide. These pieces will be free standing two sided bags but will be viewed all together. I'm very excited to be making an installation piece and feel like it's going to come together quite well. The one thing I wanted to say about this piece is about the net. I'm a Nymo bead thread user from way back, but with the net I used the Fireline. Really good stuff, you can get a sculptural quality with it. Unfortunately it's to expensive to use all the time.
I wanted to put a little whimsy in each piece so in this one I did the little seagull fisherman. It feels good to have one under my belt, I'll start beading a new one tomorrow...

DIP NET SERIES

2011-12-20T10:29:00.001-08:00

Well, only one more day before we start gaining some daylight hours. It's after 9 am and it is still pitch black out. These short winter days make me feel less productive, or maybe it's all the the holiday sweets I've been consuming. Sugar Blues... But I've got all my packages sent, cards mailed , presents wrapped and now I can get back to the bead table. Had to take some beadwork out on this one,(one of my least favorite things to do). I had drawn in a boat on the river and when I beaded it, it looked stupid, so I had to rip stitches, pull threads, tie knots and start over. Now I'm working on the endless sand, oh so boring. The sky will be so much fun by comparison. I need some little elves to come in the night and finish the beach for me...

THANK YOU VETERANS

2011-11-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Veterans Day! A very special one, 11-11-11. A once in a life time occurrence. I'm one of those people who is always looking up and seeing elevens on the clock. Does that happen to everyone?

Thank you to all the troops who are serving and have served in the past. Especially to my wonderful husband who has been sick all week with a bad cold. Poor guy. He was just out of the military when we met. A hot young tough guy who was all muscle (after jumping out of airplanes with heavy equipment strapped to his back, Robert was Airborne in the Army). He was camping at a park that was across the street from the little cabin where I was living in Haines. Needless to say I was impressed and that was 25 years ago. Yikes where does the time go...

THE BEACH

2011-11-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

So here's how the sand came out. Mixed all the colors together and then I attached them two or three beads at a time. I tried to be random but I ended up choosing the colors, just couldn't let it be. I like it but will probably try something different on the next piece. If any of you know a good source for sand colored beads or dirty water colored beads, let me know!

On another subject, the audit went fine, I was really nervous, the man was official but nice and it looks like I'm doing okay with my bookkeeping. Kate's Gallery will be opening up in the spring and things will be business as usual. Whew...

AUDIT!

2011-10-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what it would be liked to get audited? Well I'm about to find out. Opened the letter and was shocked, why me I'm such small potatoes? Should be interesting, the guy is coming to the gallery on the third of November, they want to see the books (3 years previous and the current ones). I'm pretty organized, but still I feel nervous, I'm not very happy to have to deal with authority figures. Anyone out there have any advice? As far as the beadworking goes I'm getting ready to start the sand, these are the colors I'm using. I guess after I mix them all together I'll apply the beads in a haphazard way and try to make it look like a beach. I'll post the progress in a few days and we will see how it's looking. Hope it's not muddled. Also, here's a shot of Crazy the cat getting in her winter mode. It's starting to get cold and she's finding all her sleeping spots, in this one she's cuddled up next to the bead box...

A COUPLE OF COMPLETED PROJECTS

2011-10-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

CHALLENGES

2011-09-22T21:10:00.000-07:00

So, I'm starting on my first piece of the dip net series. This one is going to be from the seagull perspective. They are such a crack up on the beach when you are fishing, fighting over fish heads, hopping around hoping to get fish eggs from someone who is cleaning fish.
I realized as I started designing that these are going to complicated and challenging pieces. I'm working on the side panels for this bag and while the seagulls went smoothly, the little fisherman was tricky, (small,small beads). Now the water is going to be even trickier, if I can bead it the way I have it drawn. Or I could sort of cop out and make it super simple. Tomorrow I have to make up my mind. I really struggle with realistic wave, shading, getting the right murky water colors. There's going to be a lot of this in this series so I might has well dive in.

p.s. I'm not looking forward to doing sand either...

LABOR DAY

2011-09-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

Just had two people stop into the gallery on their bikes, they were riding from Soldotna to Homer and then going to catch the ferry to Kodiak. Seems like a lot of labor and makes me feel like I don't exercise enough... At least the wind was at their backs. Labor day means fall has come and the end of summer. It always comes to soon and makes me feel wistful.
These are my Labor Day pieces . The Hawk Vest, I made years ago but I can still remember the many, many hours of labor that went into it. And this gear and raven bag is appropriate because I think it was the machinist union that started labor day, maybe, does anyone know for sure?

DONE BUT NOT DONE

2011-08-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

The wolf is done! I am about one day away from finishing the side panels and then there will be lots of lazy stitch to do. I'm so happy with the way he turned out, lots of personality. Some other things I like about this piece is the forest in the distance, just did some abstract swirls and circles but I think the effect is cool. Also, decided to leave out the orange I had penciled in and went with turquoise instead. The orange was too much. I do like the shading on the mountains.
Finished a spool of thread on this project. It use to be such a mile stone when that happened, now I just unceremoniously throw it away and move onto the next. I'm not a fan of how the new spools unravel in a big tangled mess. Really, a very small complaint in a good bead life...

PROCRASTINATING NO MORE

2011-07-18T22:11:00.000-07:00

So, while I'm merrily making my fish beadwork, I've been putting off an order that I need to get done. I don't like doing fur, (you might remember my struggle with the last howling wolf) you have to lay the beads in so many different directions, and noses are tricky, yada, yada, yada, so the white wolf was not getting done. Once I get started, I'm okay. At least 11 whites, lots of grays and the all important carefully placed black. All the while keeping the gallery open and dealing with customers. Had the anti customer today, this guy from Fairbanks selling beads and Alaskana in the driveway. Anything can happen on these long summer days, bought some great old trade beads...

PROGRESS

2011-07-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Working on the water behind the fish now. The blue colors are beautiful, not realistic to the murky waters of the Kasilof River. Took the day off and went dip netting. Eating fish tonite!

ON THE BEAD TABLE NOW

2011-06-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

Here's what I'm working on now. Getting ready to go dip netting and was inspired to bead red salmon! At first I designed the belt to start with the fresh fish at one end and the spawned out salmon on the other. But, I didn't like it that way so I put a single spawned out fish in the center.
You can see the progress, it's coming along swimmingly...

ROAD TRIP!

2011-06-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

Just returned home. Ah, you could say we were snacking our way across Alaska. Pretty hard to make a salad when your eating out of the cooler, right? The whole trip was a blast, the interior is like a whole different world.Tons of deciduous trees with blooming wild flowers and huge rivers cutting across the vast landscape. Bought this hair tie in Nenana, an Athabascan Village on the Tanana River.( the artists name is Connie Stevens, not the movie star), I love it because of the traditional rose motif and the white reminded me of the paper birch that is everywhere.

We went to Chena Hot Springs and soaked in the steaming rock pool. Spent time hiking and being chased out of the woods by swarms of hungry mosquitoes! I really fell in love with Alaska again, the long stretches of roads with nothing but wilderness that just goes on and on. I am glad to be home now and out of the tent. The old bones don't like the hard ground but it's so worth it to experience the road trip...

VERY EXCITING NEWS

2011-05-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

at the hotel

Sitting in a dark room with three projection screens and a group of hushed but excited people. The speaker is saying Kate Boyan and I have to go up the stairs, stand on the stage while the president of the Rasumson Foundation is talking about me and pictures of my beadwork are flashed on the screen. After the hand shake/hug and photos are taken the package is presented. I was chosen for the fellowship grant which is $12,000.00! It's too exciting. To be recognized as a worthy recipient is wonderful. After years and years of beading this makes me feel really good,that they (the art community) gets it. Anyhow I made my pitch a few months ago, see ARTIST STATEMENT BLOG, and haven't given it much thought since then. What a great phone call and then trip to Anchorage. Thought it was appropriate to show you the finished Our Lady piece since that was what I was complaining about in my proposal. I struggled with the clouds, always tricky for me but I am happy with the end result and I think the customer will be to. What a wild couple of days it's been. Still feels a little unreal to me...

SANDHILL CRANES

2011-05-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

In the spring we always have the sandhill cranes flying over the house. They are in gorgeous V formation, rattling their calls. But yesterday I was up at 6 in the morning walking our house guest Sadie and was shocked to hear this incredibly loud racket, two cranes ( I think they were mating) back in the muskeg, chasing each other around and making this blood curdling noise. Sadie who is a 15 year old Australian Shepard and normally up for anything was aghast! I love the cranes and am surprised to know that this is the only piece of beadwork that I've done to honor them.

STYLISH BLOG AWARD

2011-04-22T19:16:00.000-07:00

So, my niece Annie (who is a wonderful photographer and has a very cool blog with her work, http://anniedennisphotography.blogspot) has sent me this award. Part of the deal is I have to tell you seven little known things about myself. Hummm, right off the top of my head:

1. I like watching HGTV, especially House Hunters International. So many cool places out there in the world!
2. I got married 24 years ago in Dawson City, Canada. Just my husband Robert and our dog Max, standing in the Justice of Peaces back yard with some blackjack dealers as our witnesses.
3. I have a best friend who I've known since the 6th grade. Susan Anniskett, she is a beader extraordinaire http://globalbeadwork.wordpress.com/ She lives in Florida now so we talk on the phone.
4. I had an outhouse until my 50th birthday, yea flush toilets!
5. When I was a kid I did a cartoon strip, Bug Boy, and I wanted to be a cartoonist.

oldest bird fossil beadwork

6. Left my parents in Connecticut and went to live in Juneau Alaska with my 19 year old sister when I was 15.
7. I love Alaska but if I was rich I would probably live in Hawaii, I just love swimming in a warm ocean!
So now I have to pass the award on and I am sending it to Kid Lit North. I love keeping up with Ann Dixon's information on books and all things related. http://kidlitnorth.blogspot.com/

TULIPS, RABBITS & BLUE BUTTERFLIES

2011-04-19T19:15:00.000-07:00

Awhile back I did the blue butterflies and I really liked them. Thought they looked great with red so I designed this bag with that in mind. It's an example of doing certain elements of the same design twice, sort of perfecting it. Then because I liked the simplicity of the big flowers I decided to do another one the same shape and with big up close flowers. I chose tulips because they are my favorite spring flower, the shape is so classic. My tulips haven't come up yet, but I am a little worried about them because we have soooooo many rabbits this year! The little guys have already eaten all the fresh chive sprouts and every other bit of greenery that is popping up!

YEA SPRING

2011-03-23T23:07:00.000-07:00

Spring is my favorite time of year. Today I went to Bishops Beach and walked and walked. The tides were way out, rocks that you never see were sticking up and the sand went on forever. Probably the big moon is affecting the tides. We have wonderful tide pools with intriguing mollusks and invertebrates. Warm balmy 40 degree weather. Ah, spring...

JAPAN

2011-03-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

What a incredibly terrible disaster! I feel so bad for Japan. They are huge bead makers, I wonder if the bead factories were destroyed? I can relate to them on many levels, the ring of fire being the major similarity that comes to mind. Alaska has the same pacific volcanic rim and we get lots of earthquakes but haven't had one like that since 1964. Tsunamis are scary and here in Homer we have the sirens that warn us and the possibilities of horrendous waves. My heart goes out to the Japanese and I'm really impressed with the way the people seem to be handling it, without panic and a calm politeness. These pictures on this page are worth taking a look at. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1365569/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-Aftershocks-10k-missing-Minami-Sanrik.html

And then there's the nuclear disasters happening and looming... Love and respect to Japan.

ARTIST STATEMENT

2011-02-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

So here's what I came up with for an artist statement (for the grant proposal.) It's really difficult to know what to say, but they suggest that you make it personal so that's what I attempted to do. Would love to here any comments or suggestions. I can use all the help I can get!

I wake up, clear my head, grab the little notebook by the bed and write down an idea I have before it leaves me. Turn the radio on, pad into the kitchen where I drink some tea and give the cat her morning treat. I take a shower, maybe have some breakfast and then grab an arm full of wood and head upstairs to the gallery/ studio. After the fire is rip roaring I’ll organize a bit. Put some beads away that are colors I’ve used and am done with. The table usually looks like a messy palette. Then I’ll start sewing. The method is bead embroidery with an emphasis on the couching stitch. (A two-needle technique where you thread the beads on a double thread and then with a single thread you go over the double thread and lock down every two beads.) Right now I’m working on a commissioned piece for a patron from the Santa Fe gallery. It’s a little over half done and I am happy with the way it’s turning out. Arriving at the finished piece is not a straightforward task, simply following the design I’ve laid out. The relationship between my knowledge of the materials, 39 years of experience, and the desire to try something new, is what moves the piece to completion. The days/weeks go by, beadwork is very labor intensive. I can feel intense happiness, simple contentment, minor annoyance, and full-blown angst all in the course of one project. I work 8 hours a day, sometimes more, and at night I take my beadwork downstairs and when I lay in bed before I fall asleep, I stare at it, whisked along on the adventure of creating, making mental notes of what I will do tomorrow. It’s all good. So, who is the heavy in this little story? It’s the commissioned pieces. My next order is another; yes another, Our Lady of Guadalupe! It’s funny when I think about it, all the lean years of praying for sales and now I would like to get away from doing what is selling and onto the ideas that are experimental and have meaning to me, not to my patrons. I’m so grateful to have success in my artistic life but if the end to this story could be a fellowship grant that would give me the ability to do some of the projects from that little notebook by the side of the bed, it would be a happy ending indeed…

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

2011-02-14T23:35:00.000-08:00

XOXO

NO SHOW

2011-02-06T18:09:00.000-08:00

First I'll just get this out of the way. I received the letter on Friday informing me that I will not be having a solo show at the anchorage museum. I was disappointed but not really surprised. Sometimes I think that beadwork is just not trendy or avaunt garde enough. But I want to keep some momentum going so I'm applying for a fellowship grant. I'll keep you posted on how that's going. I have to say that writing this blog has been useful in that I'm just bla blaing along, and when you have to write artist statements and such, it's good to be in practice. So I finished the Roses bag, I think the customer will be happy. She is from Chile and loves bright colors, flowers and butterflies so I think it fits the bill. I'll put it in the mail tomorrow.

YEAR OF THE RABBIT

2011-02-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the first day of the Chinese year of the rabbit. The predictions are not great, something about the rabbit being wood and that clashes with the fact that 2011 is a metal year. Could be some turmoil, seems like that might be true, but I choose to think more literal. It really is the year of the rabbit around here. The are so many of them, I've seen 9 of the cute little guys in the yard all at once hopping about. The shear numbers intimidate my cat which is highly unusual for her. Unfortunately I can't get a good picture because they don't come out until dusk and they are very white, so with the snow they just blend in. Here is a picture of a trail. I was thinking about it and I believe I've only beaded one rabbit and he was a desert hare. I'll have to design a piece with one of our short eared inhabitants, they are so sweet!

SURROUNDED

2011-01-23T21:32:00.000-08:00

"never a moments peace."

SIMPLE OBSERVATION MONDAY

2011-01-17T22:03:00.000-08:00

I'm doing a class at Gigs, (in March) the owner of the local bead store, Gig's Beads and Things . About once a year I try to do this, although I'm definitely more comfortable at the lone bead table rather than teaching. I confess to being a nervous public speaker. You would think I would be over that by now. These little pins are what I came up with, fun, pretty easy, but with the ability to interject lots of creativity. The smallness of the pins really started to distract me, I have to get back to my orders, but it's fun to make things that go quickly, ahh, instant gratification, at least in bead time! My simple observation this week is the ice on our little pond. Again I think I can somehow work the semi-transparent thing into my beadwork, I'm always looking for that angle.

SIMPLE OBSERVATIONS

2011-01-10T19:47:00.000-08:00

To start out 2011 with something different I thought I would begin a simple observation Monday. Making observations on things that catch my eye and have an artistic impact. My first one will be this picture I took today of the gallery ceiling. I thought the way the shadow of the stain glass window was hitting the beaded curtains and then the wall was very interesting and possibly something I could use in a future piece of beadwork. A triple shadow! Cool...
Also including a picture of the ROSES/BUTTERFLIES piece. Finished all the flowers, greenery, and butterflies and now am moving on to the background. Yea, progress!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-12-31T22:24:00.000-08:00

Checked the mail today and there was a letter from the Anchorage Museum of Art. I got all nervous with the anticipation and fear of rejection. But it was just a form letter saying they haven't decided yet. We were suppose to know who was chosen for the solo show by the end of December but they moved the decision up to the end of January. Reminded me of how much I really would like to get this. I shouldn't get my hopes up, there are so many talented artist out there, but it's hard not to. Oh well, one more month and I can put it behind me or dive in depending on how it all plays out. So, hope you are all feeling great about 2011. I'm sure it will be a good year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-24T23:07:00.000-08:00

Crazy the cat, sleeps soundly on heated tiles by the wood stove.
Robert naps on the couch.
The white rabbits are plentiful, leaving tracks where ever they go.
Happy full coyotes pause in the pull-off, showing off their lush coats,

and the moose have an easy winter with only 5 inches of snow...
Peace on earth, good will to all, Merry, Merry, Christmas!

LONGEST NIGHT

2010-12-21T22:18:00.000-08:00

Winter is long and dark but this being Solstice, tomorrow we'll start gaining daylight again. The weather's been bitter cold lately, the inlet has turned to slush and the waves look like they are in slow motion, a strange sight to see. It was fun watching the eclipse last night. I was surprised at how many hours it took for the shadow to cover the moon and then uncover it. The good news is, besides the eclipse, this time of year there are no distraction. So, I've started filling orders. The bread and butter of the beadwork business, not always my favorite subject matter or color scheme but thank goodness for people who want to buy beaded bags! The piece I'm working on is roses, flowers, and butterflies. Yes it's been done, but I try to put a lot of creativity and spice into every piece. Also, finished my little hand piece for the breast cancer quilt. Getting things done, I love it, soon the new year will be here and I''ll have a little cleaner slate to start with. So, instead of lamenting the lack of sun and missing summer on this, the shortest day of the year, I count my blessings. I'm so glad to have orders to fill and time to sit at the bead table...

CHRISTMAS NECKPOUCH

2010-12-07T20:06:00.000-08:00

So much is going on! I wanted to get a few pieces sent to the Santa Fe gallery for the holiday so I've been working over time to get things done and in the mail. You have to give them at least two weeks to try and sell the stuff, Christmas is usually a good time for moving the beadwork wares... Also trying to get everything sent to friends and family who happen to be all over the country. And I'm baking, baking, and foolishly eating every moose leg, bear head and coyote tail that breaks off of the sugar cookies that deliciously melt in your mouth. Anyway, tomorrow everything goes in the mail so I can take it down a notch and stop eating cookies!

PLAYING WITH THE BLOG

2010-11-29T20:41:00.000-08:00

view from the bead table today

Feeling inspired by my new blog colors I decided to post a piece that matches the gorgeous blues. This Raven and the Moon fits. I like doing skies like this, where you mix the colors to achieve light blue to dark blue, and the half circle is a fun direction to lay the beads. This beadwork also fits my mood. Winter has come. The moon has been huge lately, illuminating the light dusting of fresh snow. The clear weather brings the cold and it's crisp and beautiful!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2010-11-25T23:27:00.000-08:00

too much turkey

FINISHED TABLE TOP

2010-11-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

Here's the finished piece of beadwork. As you can see I did add the little rice bowl and its shadow. There are actually several things in this piece that I've never done before. I wanted to design a challenge for myself. The light patch on the corner of the table is suppose to be from a light in the room. The refection in the mirror. The shadow of the clear vase not being solid. Also, making the curtain out of all satin beads in 3 different colors,( doesn't it look like curtain material?) and the silhouette of the bird in her nest behind the curtain. All new things! I'm pretty happy with it. So I lazy stitched it onto the leather that will be the front of the bag and now it has to be made into a purse.

Robert hard at it...

Use to be that I did it all, but after we bought the leather sewing machine my husband took over the leather work. He is very good at it and it frees me up to be creative with the beadwork! I can't tell you how much I appreciate this, not only do I not have to sweat the meticulous leather sewing, but he also does the linings and his amazing work has stepped up the quality of the finished product. Thank you Robert!

METEOR SHOWER

2010-11-17T20:18:00.000-08:00

Just got back from mailing the repaired Raven Bag and running tons of errands.We're about 30 miles out of town so you want to check lots of things off your list when you go to Homer. The sun is setting and it's clear so I'm getting excited to go shooting star gazing. Tonite is the beginning of the Leonid's meteor shower! Have to bundle up (it's about 20 degrees here) but the sky is jet black with about a half moon so it should be spectacular. I'm going to try and take some pictures, I would love to be able to capture some inspiration for the beadwork. Have done lots of night skies, but none with shooting stars! I would like to do a piece with a crystal drop,(like the one in this piece) hanging in a window that shows some constellations and the shooting stars outside. I was happy with this crystal drop but think the piece was too busy to show it off very well. I have a petty clear vision of this future beadwork but tonites meteors should add the final element.

THANK YOU TROOPS

2010-11-10T22:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Veterans Day!

DAMAGE

2010-11-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

This is a story of a well meaning nature lover who was trying to rescue a hurt bee. Unfortunately while transferring the injured insect (who was resting on her raven bag ) she tripped and fell into a rock wall. The bee didn't make it and the raven bag took a bad blow. So the bag is back on the table being remade. You wouldn't think that I would have to take the whole thing apart but I do. You have to undo the lazy stitch to get to the back of the beadwork. Today I carefully undid all portions of the beadwork that were broken, backing out lots of threads to make them long enough to tie knots. Tomorrow I will rebuild the birds wings. Not to bad, right? The problem is you can not do the lazy stitch on a purse that is assembled, you can't, I've tried. ( not to mention the lining.) It has to be on a flat piece of leather. So the whole purse has to be remade. This happens sometimes. The owner has request a beaded bee be sewn into the lining which I think is a wonderful idea. A memorial. It all goes toward the idea that these bags are meaningful heirlooms but also they are to be used everyday and then, if need bee, (lol) repaired...

injured

THE END OF OCTOBER

2010-10-31T19:05:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

TODAYS SCENE

2010-10-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

Here's the progress on the still life piece. It's coming along, I added the chair in the foreground and the silhouette behind the curtain, (haven't beaded that yet, wanted to make sure you can tell what it is) Let me know if you can make it out. Thought putting something behind the curtain would add to the transparency effect. Still undecided on the table cloth color, probably going with pale blue but will consider any suggestions. I like the mirror. Should there be one more thing on the table or would that be over kill? Anyhow, as you can see there is fresh snow on the mountains this morning, looking very chilly out there on the inlet. No snow on the ground yet though. It's coming...

NEW BOOTS

2010-10-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

Love, Love, Love my new boots! Don't they remind you of beadwork? In Alaska everybody has rubber boots, they are a must. About a year ago these colorful with great patterns boots started showing up in the stores. What a treat, why do they have to be black and brown anyway? BOGGS! Like beadwork on the feet only waterproof, and warm too...

FIREWEED AND MOUNT ILIAMNA

2010-10-16T22:18:00.000-07:00

Sent this out on Thursday, an order for a fellow beader and wonderful lady. It's intimidating to do beadwork for a beader, I hope it's just what she is wanting. Didn't want to spoil the opening of the box but she asked for a picture, are you peeking Jeanette? Check out her work, maybe you already know her, she organizes the bead quilt for breast cancer every year, a fun and worthwhile thing to participate in...

Jeanette Shanigan Check out my beadwork books and bead kits! http://shanigansbeadshenanigans.com

Blog: http://beadyshenanigans.blogspot.com

Bead-It-Forward Breast Cancer Projects: http://shanigansbeadshenanigans.com/BCProjects.html

ON THE TABLE NOW

2010-10-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

The application for the solo show has been sent in! Yea, that's done. They let people know at the end of December, so I can move on and think about other things. Wanted to challenge myself so I'm trying to do things I consider difficult, like sheer curtains, clear glass, reflective surfaces. I drew this still life up and started on it but I can see it's missing something. I could go simple and put another small item on the table. Maybe a pair of glasses? But I'm thinking of adding a hand up close, another major challenge for me. Hands are hard! Maybe then some nail polish on the table??? Any suggestions? Added some how-to stuff on this piece since I'm just beginning and you can see the process. I like using a hoop but know lots of beaders who don't. The thread is Nymo, size B and size 0. The beads are size 16 to size 11. I mix them around, using the small ones where I need detail.

BAGS AVAILABLE FOR SALE

2010-10-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

Dragonfly and Roses $650.00
9 inches by 9 inches
Dragonflies and Flower $650.00
9 inches by 9 inches

Northern Lights and Car $650.00
9 inches by 9 inches

Raven and Lotus $2600.00
10 1/2 inches by 9 1/2 inches

Rooms $2900.00 3inches deep, !0 1/2 inches by 9 1/2 inches

Butterfly Bag $700.00 11 inches by 9 inches

3 Ravens Bag $750.00
9 inches by 9 inches

The gallery is closed for the season. I had a customer contact me to see what stock is for sale, so I'm posting them here.

LIFE WITH MOOSE

2010-09-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to design a great piece of beadwork of moose. All summer we had this family in the yard. Got to watch the twins romp, explore, play and grow. I really fell in love with these little guys, who, are not so little any more! So, feeling inspired I've put my creative juices to trying to do them justice, don't quite have it worked out yet but when I get the idea down I will be happy to start beading. I don't think people say enough about the design, start with a boring one, (even if you are a great beadworker) and the piece will be lacking. So take your time and get it the way you want. The beadwork will always take 20 times longer than your design process!

BAD BLURRY

2010-09-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

A quick word about the next step in the process of getting the individual show. 20 pictures. Got to represent!! So, what I'm realizing is that I have so many bad, bad pictures. Beaders are not photographers. But, as artist, we have to market ourselves, so we better learn. Here is an example of a blurry picture of a wonderful piece. I got distracted by the lilies. Alas that ship has sailed. I mean being able to use this as an example of my beadwork. Take good pictures!!!! You never know when you are going to need them.

250 WORDS

2010-09-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

So back to the solo show application. The museum wants a no longer than 250 words artists statement explaining what your proposal is, basically, what your show will be. Here's a rough draft.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Just returning from a financially successful show in Santa Fe I feel invigorated, full of creativity and ready to take on an idea that’s been percolating for a few years. Dip netting for red salmon on the Kasilof River is a way of life for residence of the Kenai Peninsula. While my husband stands in the icy water and hauls out the winter supply of fish, I observe, take photos and sketch. My plan for a solo show is to do a series of pieces about this subject. Each piece will be beadwork, starting with three large wall pockets as the focal point of the display. Many different size bags will serve as the main body of the show. The subject matter will range from life size salmon in the nets to seagulls congregating over dead fish head, families, tents, campfires, full coolers, 4 wheelers, fishing boats, fillet knives, waves, sunsets and sand. I want to capture the sometimes chaos and sometimes peaceful scene of dip netting with my own storytelling ability and a touch of magic thrown in.

As a working artist I agree with Franklin D. Roosevelt who said that “ Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” The effort it will take to complete this show will be monumental, but the happiness I would feel at being able to create a masterpiece depicting this uniquely Alaskan experience would be immeasurable. Please know that if I am chosen for the solo show, I will give it my all!

Okay, what do you think? Please send me any constructive criticism you have, I really would love some input.

p.s. Here's a shot of me 20 years ago pedaling my wares on the streets of Anchorage. Maybe I can get inside this time!

THE BIRDS ARE LEAVING

2010-09-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

InIn the yard this afternoon and I heard the guttural rattle of the sandhill cranes. Looked up to see a huge group, long necks stretched towards the southern destination where they will winter. Alas, they are leaving... I'm am so not ready for the end of summer but the sandhill cranes flying south is a sure sign that it's happening whether I like it or not Better bring the geraniums in, the frost is surely next.

LABOR DAY

2010-09-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day! The official end of summer, seems like it was just the beginning. Wow that went by fast. So, everyone who said they wanted a book in the book give away (ending last night) contact me with your address at custombeadwork@yahoo.com because you all get one!!! Thanks for your interest, I'll get those in the mail as soon as I get all your addresses.
Now, on to my next venture, with much trepidation, I have decided to tackle applying for a solo show at The Anchorage Museum of History and Art. Lots of hoops to jump through, I have until Oct. 31st. So I'll be keeping you posted and be asking for opinions and advice with this mind bending adventure...

BOOK GIVE AWAY

2010-08-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Today I'm posting a book give away, (THE BLUE BEAD). I'll leave it up until Sunday and then I will mail the book out first thing Monday morning. All you have to do is let me know that you would like to have it and write your name and address so I can find you. I'll do a random drawing, names in the hat type of thing. Also, I wanted to mention this new blog about writing and reading children's books in the north. Where ravens roam and writers dream. http://kidlitnorth.blogspot.com/ Ann Dixon, author and librarian, has taken on the task of informing us about whats hot and happening out there for readers who enjoy stories from the north. Check it out!

ELATION

2010-08-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Santa Fe, exhausted but happy. When ever I do a show, I always joke ( not really) that there will be either elation or depression, well, ELATION is the winner. After all the months and months of preparation there was a big payoff at the end. The gallery opening was pack with patrons who loved the work and were willing to pay for it! Fantastic feeling and I got to share it with my sister Maggie and my niece Annie, who took these wonderful pictures. It was the girls on the loose amongst the teeming hoards of art buyer who came to town for Indian market. Santa Fe is crazzzzzy! Came home with orders, so in a couple of days I will be back to the bead table, but for now I'm taking a break and playing in the sun. Yes it finally came out. How lucky are we!!

GOING TO THE SOUTHWEST

2010-08-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

I love the southwest. If I wasn't a die- hard Alaskan I would live in the desert with the lizards and the cactus. There is something about the brilliant sunsets and the evening skies that feel magical to me. This piece with the dactura flowers and dragonflies is meant to convey the feeling of a warm mysterious night.

POPULAR POPPIES

2010-08-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

I've always loved poppies. The gorgeous summer fields of the common orange poppy and the huge and spectacular Arctic blue poppy that everyone grows around in the summer. But this year I tried the red oriental poppies. Started the seeds early in the green house, babied them along until the weather was warm enough to plant them in the ground. Then it just rained and rained on them, so I thought that no way was I going to get blooms. But low and behold, first the intriguing buds, then walla, beautiful red delights. I love using red and black in my beadwork as a color scheme so these beauties were definitely an inspiration. Yea, Happy gardening and happy beading...

STILL LIFE

2010-07-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I really never wanted to talk about the weather in this blog, but the frustrating summer we are having is working my last nerve! It's raining right now, and has been raining all month. We set a record for rainfall. When you live in Alaska you find that during the long winter months you dream about the sunny summer to come, it's a really a downer when the sun doesn't show up... So, I put up my still life jacket, it kind of fits my mood. Floating sunglasses that don't need use, the butterfly that is hiding inside, and in general an abstract feeling. Through the looking glass and hopefully out the other side to a sunny day...

FINISHED WOLF

2010-07-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Yea, the finished wolf piece! Long hours, very tired eyes and sore wrist. I think it's my favorite bag for the Santa Fe show. Seems like something that will be well received down there, as a artist who makes a living selling beadwork you always have to balance what you think will sell and beading your hearts desire. It's always so wonderful when the two can meet. Sometimes what you want to bead is something that you can make money with, at least I hope so. Starting to get that nervous feeling that I always get before hand. I'm not really good at the openings, I really dislike having to promote myself and chat up the customers who may or may not be interested. Ahhh, Wish me luck....

EARLY WORK

2010-07-10T23:26:00.000-07:00

Getting very close to finishing the wolf piece I've been working on and pulling my hair out over. A couple more days and I'll post the done deal. Thank goodness, I'm really happy with it. This got me to thinking about all the wolves and coyotes I've done in the past. In the beginning of my bead career I didn't struggle with how to make the fur look right, it was more about just learning the technique. Many long hours of trying to get the beads to lay flat. (The best tip on that is don't crowd the beads. So tempting to try and fill in every space, don't try.) 37 years later and things have changed... Here are some pictures of my early work, I like this coyote vest and my young hands but I'm glad I've moved past the basics.

SANTA FE SHOW

2010-07-03T23:12:00.000-07:00

So, this is the end result of the photo shoot the other day. The address of the the gallery is 223 W. San Francisco. If any of you are around Santa Fe, New Mexico, on these date and want to see the beadwork, come on by! Happy Forth of July to all!

PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR WORK

2010-06-30T22:05:00.000-07:00

Trying to take pictures of the beadwork today. Wanted it to be all artsy with nature as the background. Only one problem... as soon as I'm out and about, Crazy, my cat, wants to join the photo shoot. She's pesky but lots of fun and full of mischief!

FAMILY HEIRLOOMS

2010-06-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

Had a wonderful day in the gallery! I had two very interesting women come in. One of them bought my "Day of the Dead Tie". This is so great because it's been around awhile. You know, when you have a piece that you are working on, that you think is really cool and inventive but then no one else seems to get it. This was one of those pieces. I thought the skeletons were so graphic, and loved the way I put the raven skull at the top. Roses and a swirly night sky, what could be better! Well, the reception to this piece was luke warm. So it doesn't sell and it doesn't sell, hence the name, family heirlooms. These are the pieces that become part of my permanent collection, until, the right person comes along and takes them off my hands. I was actually was quite fond of the tie, not true of all family heirlooms, but I'm very glad to have it out there in the world. The moral of the story is never let the fear of an unpopular subject matter stop you from trying something different. Bead for yourself and the world will follow, or not...

FUR IN BEADS IS HARD!!!

2010-06-17T10:43:00.000-07:00

So, this is the piece I'm currently working on.
I'm not at all sure about it, I may have gotten carried away with trying to blend the colors to make it look like fur.There are about 10 different grays alone! And then there's the direction you lay the beads. This way and that way to make it look wind blown, urr, I don't know, it will probably come together when I get the background in there, although clouds can be problematic themselves. This piece is vexing me... Does this wolf look muddled?

FILLING ORDERS

2010-06-13T21:22:00.000-07:00

My god I'm wiped out. Summertime. Have to get out an enjoy the weather, get the garden going, keep the garden going, weeding, weeding weeding. But back to the bead table, I'm working on the show for Santa Fe in August, keeping the gallery running and trying to fill orders. This piece was ordered like this." lots of flowers, some butterflies, colors should be reds, pinks, blues, golds, and a black background." Pretty specific but also kind of vague. This is what I came up with, do you think it fits the bill? The customer hasn't seen it yet, but I think she will be pleased, there is always that waiting for the check to come, orders can be tricky...

MEMORIAL DAY

2010-05-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

Memorial day weekend is the official start to the crazy fish chasing summer that goes on around here. King salmon season opens, people pore down to the peninsula hoping to catch the big one. Good luck to all the anglers! This major influx of bodies are not really beadwork buyers but it does bring a small bevy of curious people into the gallery. I get comments like, "nice to see some Alaskan art that's not made in China." Yesterday I had a couple who were marble makers from Virgina. I learned briefly about the process of marble making, heard tales of the marble convention they would be attending soon and we commented on how much in common marbles have with beads, but alas no holes. They gave me some samples, I gave them some volcano ash (from Mt. Reboubt exploding last year) to use in their molten glass, they bought THE BLUE BEAD BOOK and left. I'm glad to have the galley and these little interactions during the day. The bead table can be a very isolated place. It takes many, many long hours to make great beadwork and distractions are welcome. So on that note, Happy Memorial Day and thank you to all the troops, now and in the past!

BELOVED BIRCH

2010-05-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

You know how I love my spring, the baby leaves, sticky and bright emerging from the buds on the long quiet branches. This is a tribute to birch, one of my favorite trees and a subject I keep revisiting in my beadwork. Living amongst the dark evergreens, mainly the prickly spruce, the deciduous trees are special and cherished.

ART IMITATING LIFE 2

2010-05-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

Working hard at the bead table this morning and had to pause to remember back when. This is a picture of our place the first year we landed in Homer. Mile 148 cobweb filled shack. I was so thrilled to be a first time home owner after always moving from place to place. You can detect my happiness in the piece of beadwork I did to commemorate the homey cabin life we were living. Sweet memories... Oh yea, and there are still moose in the yard all the time!

ART IMITATING LIFE

2010-05-07T21:23:00.000-07:00

So often we are inspired by places and people in our everyday lives. This piece gave me a chance to do a portrait of Kathleen, but also I was able to do a piece of beadwork that was a picture of a beaded dress that I made. Love it! right?

BAD, BAD, OIL SPILL

2010-04-30T23:03:00.000-07:00

The oil spill in Louisiana is seriously a disaster. I know because I lived in Cordova in1989 when the Exxon Valdez (The ship piloted by Joseph Hazelwood) reeked havoc on Prince William Sound. The black ooze that slimed the waters and beaches was over 10 million gallons. This new oil spill will be worse. That was a ship that had a finite amount, this drilling site in the gulf of mexico is pumping out an endless supply. There won't be a good solution. The wildlife is doomed. The fisherman who made a living in the gulf, well, their lives as they know it, are over. I know all this because I lived in a community that experienced all this. I remember waking up every morning that summer listening to the radio giving the HUGE dead bird counts. The sad horror of the blackened sea otters and seals. The fishing destroyed. I could go on and on. So my heart goes out to the people, animals and plants who are now facing this reality. Lets think about this and decide. NO MORE OFF SHORE DRILLING

bookmarks

2010-04-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

I have this one lovely customer who wanted me to make a bookmark. I thought it wouldn't work, to thick to fit it between the pages, but decided to try. She loved it, and now I make one every now and then and really enjoy it. A real departure from my usual, small and compact, a challenge to get some feeling into this small space. Beaded bookmarks, who knew?

question?

2010-04-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

I'm preparing for a show in Santa Fe. Not until August, so these might not be the bags I use for the poster, but I would appreciate your valued opinion! Do we like the black background or the white?

Almost gone but causing trouble

2010-04-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

Screech! Crash! Tail lights upside down in the dark night. Oh no! A truck laying upside down in the ditch across the street. Spring is here, but it comes in spurts and sputs, one day it snows and then it rains and then it sunshines and then people get reckless, thinking its safe dry pavement and then, crash, boom, bang. First time I've ever dialed 911. Boots on, Robert and I head over to the pull off with a flashlight hoping not to see a gory scene. My heart is pounding.We here pounding, the guy is trying to kick out the windshield. "Get me out of here dude." The door is stuck, yarding on it, it comes loose. Another car pulls up. A woman gets out. The guy stands, blood on his hand. "Are you alright?" The lady from the new car is whispering with him, they try and turn the truck headlights off to no avail, then get in her car and drive off, saying nothing more. Leaving the dead truck with it's lights on, crumpled, upside down, spring snow coming down. An owl flies over silently, then flashing lights come down the road. We tell the police, he left.

Sewing while visiting family in the lower 48

2010-03-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Hello, yes, still on the road. Decided not to put up any pictures of the family visit, at the beach, bike riding , birthdays and such, and stick with the at the bead table theme. It's been raining and hailing with lots of thunder and lighting thrown in, so I have been getting some sewing done. Heres a picture of the eagles piece I'm working on.

You can see it in it's half done stage. Two thickness of wool felt stretched on a hoop. Then the picture I've drawn is rubber cemented to the felt. Using the couching method ( One needle is double threaded and the beads are strung on that. Then you use a second needle to lock down every two or three beads, going over the double thread. ) I bead right over the paper to make the beaded picture. Of course the better your design, the better the beadwork. There are always some changes you make and things like you can't find a bead color to do what you were thinking of, but those all pan out in the end.

The canyon will really pop ( I hope ) when the black beads are in, and give the piece some good depth. Turquoise sky and wala! Another done deal...Will post it when its a finished purse.

away from the bead table

2010-03-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm traveling. Brought some beadwork with me but as usual, it's hard to bead on the road. Not an excuse, just is. I moved the table where I'm staying closer to the window, and there is a very nifty sky light right over me, so that should help with the lighting. But tomorrow is a day for cooking corn beef and cabbage for my Dad. Happy Saint Patrick's Day all! This computer I'm using has this photo booth feature which is a really fun waste of time. This is me wasting time...

PAGE 15

2010-03-07T21:18:00.000-08:00

Well, this is the end of the story. I'll be gone for awhile and when I come back I'll have "The Blue Bead" as a full color, paperback book (size 8 1/2 by 11) for sale. Hope you enjoyed the preview, thanks for coming to the blog and all your lovely comments!

Afterword

Maggie sat at the table, drinking a cold glass of milk, watching the moose in her yard. Her journal was open in front of her.

"Had a great day. Grandma really liked her purse. She saw the blue bead and got caught up in telling stories from when she was a girl. She said Raven stole a bead just like the one I gave her, and then maybe a fish ate it! I don't think so! I read in my history books that those beads were made in Bohemia in the 1700s. So how did it get here, it's a mystery."

Yawning, starting to feel sleeply, she closed her journal and shut off the lights. Under the covers her mind wandered, and she started to plan her next piece of beadwork. A raven came to mind.

PAGE 14

2010-03-06T17:48:00.000-08:00

Getting close to the end of the tale of the blue bead. Let's see what happens...

At Grandmother's potlatch birthday celebration, people crowded around with food and presents. Her eyes lit up with pride when she opened the plain brown box from Maggie and held up the purse. "the sewing is good," she said, nodding, taking note of the even stitching. She saw the large cobalt bead dangling from the leather fringe.

"Reminds me of a story," she said. Everyone loved Grandmother's stories, and they crowded around to hear. "When I was a girl, we were having a potlatch just like this one. Everyone brought food and gifts. I had my eye on a deerskin bag with blue beads, just like this one. Just as we were giving gifts, Raven came down from the sky and snatched a blue bead right off the bag!"

Everyone gasped."And then what happened?" someone asked Grandmother."And then nothing. That trickster Raven took the bead for his own. For all I know he flew around the world with it seven times and dropped it in my granddaughter's hand! For all I know, he dropped it into the sea and a fish ate it!" That made everyone laugh to think that one bead could travel the water, earth, and sky.

another choice

2010-03-05T18:19:00.000-08:00

For page 13, do we like this illusration, or the girl in front of the brick wall?

PAGE 13

2010-03-05T11:49:00.000-08:00

Present day, Alaska

Maggie rapped at the door of the junk shop. Mrs. Waters studied the blue bead and led Maggie to an old steamer trunk.

"This is where your mother found it, thats all I can tell you." she said with a sly smile.

PAGE 12

2010-03-03T21:52:00.000-08:00

Rain tapped at the tiny attic window. Huddled in front of a warm cup of tea, the bride packed her steamer trunk. Her thoughts returned to the wedding.

The "something old" was her mothers wedding dress, plain but beautiful. The "something new" was her raw gold nugget wedding ring. The "something borrowed lay on the table in front of her, a large magnificent feather from the head of the Raven clan. And the"something blue"was a rather intriguing bead made from glass.

PAGE 11

2010-03-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

Honk-tonk piano music music and smoky gold light lured the prospector into the saloon, where a wedding was under way. His friend, and the proprietress of the establishment, was marrying her long-time sweetheart. Low on most everything but good wishes, the miner gave her the blue bead.

intermission

2010-02-28T13:26:00.000-08:00

Taking a break from "The Blue Bead"
I was perusing the blogs and saw one about skeletons. I thought, I love skeletons, there is something so edgy about them. Then, I just had to say something about my skeletons, it turns out I have beaded many, many skulls. So is the nature of blogging just some sort of self gratification? Or, are we out to learn about and meet others, share interests and explore. A bit of both I suspose. But, if I am honest with myself, I really would love for some people to just see my skeletons...

PAGE 10

2010-02-28T12:55:00.000-08:00

The prospector had less than an ounce of gold for a week's work. Lonesome and short on grub, he decided to head for town. As he reached for his pack, his eye caught on something blue, flashing from the bones of a fish skeleton. "Treasure is treasure," he said to himself, stowing the unusual find in his gold poke.

PAGE 9

2010-02-26T21:36:00.000-08:00

The Chinook salmon could not resist the shiny blue tidbit adrift in the current. She promptly swallowed it and headed up river. As she leapt up a waterfall, an eagle swooped down and, with flashing talons, carried her to the shore and devoured her.

PAGE 8

2010-02-24T11:35:00.000-08:00

Tall fierce totems stood in a circle around the Tlingit people.

Raven, the trickster, admired the potlatch from above. Suddenly, he swooped down and plucked a bead he fancied from a beautiful deerskin pouch! The people gasped at his bold trick. He could not help but crow about his daring, and as he opened his mouth to brag, the blue treasure fell into the river below.

PAGE 7

2010-02-20T20:33:00.000-08:00

This page is for all those mothers, aunties, and daughters who share the love of sewing together...

The Athabascan girl danced around, watching her mother sew, hoping she might be allowed to help.

" To finish," said her mother, taking off her necklace and spreading the beads before her. " Making a special bag for the potlatch is an honor. It is the joy of creating."

She threaded a blue bead onto the deerhide fringe, carefully tying a knot at the end.

PAGE 6

2010-02-16T21:17:00.000-08:00

So the hunter really likes his beads. We can relate to that! He thought the blue one was his good luck charm, until his luck ran out...

The old man's face wore the weather, deep lines etched around his eyes where he squinted from the sun. He was tired, traveling for weeks now up river, searching for copper and gold. As he trudged along the river bank, a giant bear lunged suddenly from the brush. Using his spear, he fought bravely. The bear danced savagely with the old man, got bored, and wandered off.

"Ah! I will die from these wounds!"the old man cried, collapsing.

The pungent odor of brewing plants struck him first, then the pain opened his eyes. A young Athabascan woman met his gaze. Taking pity on him, she tended his wounds.

Grateful for her kindness, upon leaving camp, the old man gave the woman his treasured bead necklace, featuring a bead of deep cobalt blue.

PAGE 5

2010-02-14T11:59:00.001-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
Sitting at the bead table this morning and I've already had entirely too much sugar . Chocolate and valentines day, what can you to do. SO, back to the ship and the traveling bead...

An aleut hunter paddled out to meet the sailing ship. His kayak held seal and otter skins to trade. He returned with iron kettles, wool blankets, and glass trade beads, like the faceted blue bead that he hung from a greasy sinew string around his neck.

PAGE 4

2010-02-12T15:55:00.000-08:00

The ocean crossing...

Saltwater crashed onto slick decks as the Russian ship tossed wildly in the Bering Sea storm. Below, seasick clerics listened to a trapper tell tales of Alaska and the huge profits that awaited him.

" I've been offered as much as two otter skins for one of those small blue beads," he said, pointing to the bead that adorned one monk's leather pouch.

PAGE 3

2010-02-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

The saga of the blue bead continues. Where a bead has been and and who its previous owner was often remain a mystery...

Six monks and two novices worked quietly as the sound of rain echoed through the yawning onion domes of Saint Basil's Cathedral. The Russian Orthodox missionaries gathered their few belongings together and listened to instructions about their upcoming voyage to North America.

"Take gifts," said the monk instructing them. "Things like this. Small, easy to carry. And beautiful." He held up the blue bead.

PAGE 2

2010-02-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

So, as the bead turns, Maggie's got the bead, what will she do with it? Maybe we should go back to the very beginning.... fade in

1700s in Bohemia

As the glow from the pot furnace cut through the smoky blackness, the sweaty beadmaker pulled the molten glass from the inferno. Using closely guarded Venetian secrets, he had learned to stretch and mold glass into beads that were in demand around the world.

" Soon I will be a rich man!" he schemed, as he tossed the perfect blue bead into the copper trough bound for Russia.

PAGE 1

2010-02-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

Ready to go down the rabbit hole with a beautiful blue glass trade bead? Intrigued? Let's follow the blue bead as it makes it's way from Bohemia in the 1700s to the bead table in present day Alaska...

TODAY
Maggie surveyed the table, a beam of late afternoon sun illuminating the brilliant beads she was using to make her grandmother's purse. Silver lined orange coral tangled up with pale, greasy yellow. Hanks of cut-glass black lay next to rose white-hearts, crystal clear iridescent, metallic gold, and medium cool blue satin.

Just then, she heard the screen door slam shut. Maggie's mom bent down to kiss her daughter, then reached in her pocket and pulled out a small square of neatly folded white deerhide. "Something special from the junk store," she said, handing it to Maggie.

"Oh, Mom!" Maggie exclaimed, as she unfolded the soft leather revealing a large, deep-cobalt blue bead. It glowed in Maggie's hand, smooth as old beach glass. "Perfect for Grandma's purse!" It looks so old, I wonder where it came from?"

picture of the bead table

2010-02-07T21:55:00.000-08:00