CLOSED FOR NOW, ( COVID-19 related.)

  First let me say, I love my gallery and I love my patrons. Normally this time of year I would be bustling around getting ready for the shorebird festival. The birds are here but the festival is canceled. I’m not the kind of bead store that would be good at internet sales. There are already so many great places out there for that. With me it’s all about the experience of Kate’s Gallery, and the comradely that all of us share. We love the colors, and the textures, and art that can be made with beads. Right now, I feel unable to move forward or decide about being open. So for now, I’ll just stay closed. It doesn’t feel right to open the gallery. We’re not an essential business and I don’t want to be part of the problem. Stay apart is what the experts say, and it seems like an extremely sensible precaution, considering the times we are living through. I’m hoping that if we do this physical distancing, things will get better and in a not too distant future we can be together. Thank you to all my compadres for understanding. Right now, life as we find it, is the life that we lead…

I've been trying to reply with no luck lately, so I'm sorry if you don't get a response to your comments.

MY PROCESS

Because we are all staying home and sheltering in place, I thought I would share a little bit of my process. My posts are usually far a few between because beadwork takes along time, so I thought I would talk about how I get to where I'm going. First it's the idea, which is all over the place for awhile. When my mind settles down, I usually refine the concept as I'm falling asleep at night. I think I mentioned awhile back, that I was thinking of doing a rabbit. It's been a big rabbit year, we go in cycles, but I didn't want to do another winter scene. I've been looking at a card, a picture and a vintage bag. These are informing my color scheme this time around.
The design faze is using lots of books, I'm particle to 1970's kids books like an old favorite "The Rainbow Book of Nature". Also, I use my folders full of past ideas and of course, the net. Then draw some stuff, play around with it and try to refine the concept. I use tracing paper because it's thin. Then color your piece, using markers and colored pencils. When that is done, I glue it to the backing, which for me is two thicknesses of wool felt.  Then, because it's thin, you can bead right over the paper. It's great because you've colored the paper the same color as the beads, so if there is a small bit showing through, it's the same color. This enables you to not crowd the beads, which can make your beadwork look bunchy and lumpy.
So that's how I get started. Please feel free to share your color schemes and ideas, I'm interested in how you do what you do!

I think you can see where I'm going with this.

Color inspiration

WHEN I'M 64

“When I’m sixty four.” If anyone told me that on my 64th birthday we would be in the middle of a global pandemic, I probably wouldn’t have been surprised. I am a science fiction fan after all. All the emotional swings and distress I’m feeling does surprise me though. Normally, I tend to be on an even keel. Honestly, it’s not all because of the virus. Did you know that our Department of Justice just announced that they want to suspend constitutional right during coronovirus emergency. Please, say it isn’t so.We are all stressed enough without this bull crap. But, I do realize that I’m one of the fortunate few in this world. I’m working on a beadwork order for a beloved customer and Robert is sitting on the couch showing Crazy (our cat) a video of squirrels and birds. She’s old. Truly we are the fortunate ones. It seems that many many people are dying with no air in their lungs. So, my lovely beadwork friends, I want you to know how much I appreciate all of you. Be safe, social distancing is

easy. Sew, sleep, read, watch shows, listen and observe nature. Deep breathes. Change is the only constant.  I leave you, as I started, with a song lyric.     ” Strange days indeed.”

ANOTHER ORDER DONE

                     Just put this butterfly collar piece in the mail. Filling orders, feeling good.

TEACHING AND THE BONDS WE MAKE

2020. First blog of the new year. This year I'm teaching two classes. These are always so much fun and I'm excited for the opportunity to travel and meet new students and see old friends. But there is more to it than just that. In a world with so much anger and division, we can preserve what is best in humanity through these gatherings. The sharing of knowledge, the love of beads, the very simple act  of being in each others presence and sewing. These things bring us together in a profound way. For me, being creative amongst other people who are being creative is a blessing, and I count myself lucky to have these moments in time when everyone comes together with needle in hand...
The first class is June 13th in Anchorage put on by the Ak Bead Society. We will be making these fun little "Floral Needle Cases"  If you are interested you can contact:   https://www.akbeadsociety.org/guest-artist-program.html

The second class is September 17th at the Colorado Bead Retreat. We will be making these wonderful cell phone bags. http://www.coloradobeadretreat.com/welcome.html   The Colorado retreat classes are full, but check out the website anyway.There is always next year. The retreat looks like a really special event!