Wednesday, January 30, 2013

2013 - Here is to a new year of art and creativity!



BJP for January:
001
This is  the beadwork  for my January Bead Journal Project while it is still flat – the addition of the backing and the barrette hardware will make the design bend and it will become a little harder to see the entire design in a photograph or scan.  This is a larger sized barrette, for someone with thick hair.  It is intentionally asymmetrical with a garden theme that is true to where what I’m longing for in the middle of the Southeast Alaskan winter.  While I normally gravitate to vintage elements, the little focal flower buttons are contemporary. This piece was executed without a real set plan, and I liked how it ended up with a sort of medieval tapestry feel to it.  It is quite shimmery when it is seen in person.
I’m barely squeezing in with a January post to welcome 2013!  I had a blessed, fun, whirlwind and very busy Christmas and New year.  There is a lot to catch up on.  What I want to talk about today is the Bead Journal Project.  The reason I  originally created this blog was because I participated in the 2010 BJP.  I missed 2011 but was back in the game with 2012.  full disclosure: I still have journal covers to create for 2012!  (We don’t talk about 2010.)  With that said, I can’t overstate how much I enjoy meeting awesome bead artists from all over the world who share and cheer and show their amazing work month after month. I can’t resist and thus here I am again, beading away for 2013.
I decided to make barrettes, or hair ornaments this year.  I like that there is a lot of variety possible in the sizes and design.  I also would like to make cuff bracelets  I’ll do that some  months, just for a change of pace.  Maybe I should just call my projects Beaded adornments.
Happy 2013!  Thank you for visiting.  I appreciate your feedback and welcome your ideas.

19 comments:

  1. Ooooooh, Beth! I like it so much! Love the colors and the way the stems and leaves and flowers work together. I does feel like a tapestry. What is the black around the edges... it looks almost like velvet.

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  2. I forgot to say how much I like what you wrote about the BJP... You've really captured the truth about it, especially the part about all the artists who cheer and share their work month after month. How great is that!

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  3. Thank you so much Robin, and thanks for encouraging me to just go for it! it was the perfect advice.

    The black you see is wool felt that is helping it keep its shape. I should have mentioned there will be an edging stitch when it is assembled as a barrette. it will be backed with leather or Ultrasuede. Thanks so much!

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  4. Beth this is stunning, I love everything, your beading, the colours, the shape. It will be fantastic when completed.

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    1. Thank you Marj! It was fun to make and I finished it today. Now I'm pondering the next one! I appreciate your comment, thanks so much for stopping by!

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  5. With that teaser, it simply was a must to come to your blog. What a lovely piece! Lucky person who will be wearing the barrett in the end.

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  6. Very interesting, it reminds me a bit of Klimt's style of patterning and composition - I like it!

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    1. Klimt! That is a fabulous complicment and you just made my day!

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  7. A lovely piece Beth.....I can see that
    your work is one to watch in the BJP this year,
    hugs
    Chris Richards
    http://ellascraftcreations.blogspot.co.uk/

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    2. Thank you, what a lovely thing to say! Thank you so much for visiting, I so appreciate your comments!

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  8. To do barrettes is a fabulous idea, Beth! I hope you'll be able to wear them :-)

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  9. What a beautiful work of art! And thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments...Your work is a real inspiration to me!!

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  10. What a gorgeous piece! I love the tapestry look of it! I can't wait to see more of your work! AMAZING!

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    1. I'm so grateful for your most lovely comments. Thank you for stopping by. I'm now contemplating what to do for February!

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  11. A real burst of colour to cheer up a grey day. This is my first year and it's lovely to see all the finished pieces.

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    1. thanks for stopping by Evanna! I've just figured out what I want to do for the next one, can't wait to start.

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  12. Hi Beth! I nominated you for a Liebster Award! Go to Home In Douglas and fetch your questions and pass on the love!

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