My blog entries have been scarce. I had to leave town for about 10 days, and then had to take time to catch up on "everything" once I returned. I'm STILL working on that, but I did get some time while in Portland and after I got back to work on my January journal piece. It's clear that I won't finish it in January but I'm further along.
I'm pretty pleased with how wintery it is. I found some silver snowflake sequins and toned them down with some white metallic paint. There are metallic and sparkly elements in the farbric, and I've used a lot of pearl, silver and gold beads, plus I've made a pink accent note. As you can see, the borders need to be completed and I'm contemplating a few ideas on what I will do. The borders will be all bead work. At least that is how I am thinking about it today.
Next, to plan February. I also am creating some of my pins for the Arts Celebration next week. They will be for sale there and a portion will to to Arts for Kids In Juneau, an awesome organization that supports arts in the schools and gives scholarships to graduating seniors who are furthering their educations in the arts.
Winter in Juneau is dark, beautiful, mysterious, quiet, beautiful. I hope this is coming through in the piece so far.
I think this piece is utterly quite, quite SPLENDID! There is an unbelievable amount of movement and my eyes just dance from spot to spot looking at all the intricate detail...really, what a beaut!!!
ReplyDeleteOne question: at the bottom, what is that long gold bar, or bead, or...?? It provides a wonderful anchor for the weight of the piece, if that makes any sense...
Oh thank you! It is a bead I made myself of paper. I used paper from an old Russian-language book, and embossed it. I use beads I make myself in my bead embroidery and jewelry. I'm so happy you noticed it.
ReplyDeleteBeth
This is a beautiful piece!
ReplyDeleteYou could stop right now and this piece would be exquiste... I will be watching for the final version. Good idea on using white paint to tone down sequin... I'll try that. Sometimes I use alcohol dyes to modify things too glitzy..
ReplyDeleteGerry K.
http://olderrose.blogspot.com
It is, and will be, a beautiful piece. I remember what you said about the early 20th century adds as inspiration but at this point the piece feels more like a turn of the 19th/20th century fairy tale illustration. I love that style so maybe I'm just gravitating that way. Your hand made paper bead just adds to the aura. Looking forward to seeing it finished.
ReplyDeleteHolly B
Love the piece! I love your choice and use of fabrics in it, and the beads you've chosen. That's one cold wintery night. Great job!
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous! It's a wonderful combination of fabric and beads. How is your new light working? A few years ago I splurged on a large Ott floor lamp that is next to my chair. I love it. I told my opthamolgist that I did a lot of needle work with tiny beads. I have short arms, making a short focus distance. He understood what I wanted and now I have the best bifocals ever.
ReplyDeleteMarty S
Crackpot Beader
Wintry, icy, and even watery to some extent is what I feel with your lovely piece.
ReplyDeleteGreat depiction of winter, Beth. Brrr! I love the movement. Makes me think of half frozen rivers with the ice breaking up and refreezing.
ReplyDeleteStunning! Very dark, mysterious and beautiful!
ReplyDelete@ Marty - I love the light! It adds more light to my work space and I just use the magnifyier when I need to see something more clearly - and it is wonderful for threading tiny needles!
ReplyDeleteI'm very nearsighted, so I take my glasses OFF to bead!
Thanks for the comments, I'm happy to read them, humbled as well. I have done some work on the border and I like where it is going, will get further along before I post another picture. I may just make February's a litlte smaller ;o)
I knew from your previous post that I was going to LOVE this piece, and I DO!!!! OMG, the layers are so fantastic! You could stop right here and I'd still Love it!
ReplyDeleteRobin A.
I'm looking forward to seeing how you finish this off. It's definitely got that mysterious, beautiful, quiet, deep of the night look to it. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed gorgeous - dark, wintry, and mysterious. I love it! Can't wait to see the finished piece. I also love that you made your own bead for the bottom. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love the flow created by how you pieced the fabrics, I have been watching this piece grow. Once again beautiful!
ReplyDelete