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.”