Thursday, January 28, 2010

January Bead Journal Project

I mentioned in a prior post that I've joined Robin Atkin's Bead Journal Project for 2010. It's a personal challenge for all participants to create 12 beaded pieces (or "pages") in the course of a year. The only restriction is that each piece is the same shape and size. I'm using a paisley shape, and exploring a different color each month. January's color is white, and I've finally started.



I placed my large bead first. It's a Venetian glass bead I bought many years ago at a gem show in Santa Monica, California. It has some pink swirls that resemble roses, and some gold flakes. Although January's piece is supposed to be white, I actually chose the side that has more pink and gold. Don't know why. In placing the Venetian bead, I just let it go where it wanted. I didn't think about it, I just placed it and sewed it down. I added the seed pearls, then the loop of mother of pearl beads, then the glass beads around the Venetian bead.


I don't know what I'm doing, I'm just doing it. Does that sound strange? It does to me. I'm trying Robin's way of working improvisationally, and it's not easy for me. I'm a "follow the pattern" type of person, although I have altered a pattern occasionally. I love algebra, calculus and geometry. I do like organic and asymmetric shapes, but even when designing my own work, I draw it out, plan it out, know what's going where, and how I'm going to put it there. It's too soon to tell how I feel about improvising. Although I am enjoying it, it's still a little scary. Maybe I'll have a better feel for it when February's piece is done!


Until next time, take care.

Michele

4 comments:

  1. My first time working improvisationally was scarey too. But I've since learned that I'm most happy with the result when I do. The element of surprise is so much fun. You wrote you have a hard time doing this, but I think you are doing very well! I love the bead you are building your piece around. Just keep stepping outside your usual comfort zone and it may start to come more easily.

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  2. That bead is beautiful and I thin it works perfectly in your plan. Keep at it!

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  3. i agree with barbara. i was nervous about working improvisationally too. i'm very analytical about so many things, but once i let the beads take over it was so freeing. i hope you find it does too. now i couldn't possibly think of doing it any other way, and i love it. i love the colors of the bead you have chosen. i'm sure this will look wonderful when it's done! you're off to a good start!

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  4. Be brave and continue onward! It looks beautiful so far. (How could you go wrong with such a beautiful bead to begin with?!)

    I love working improvisationally. It's easier for me to do in my quilt making than with beads though. I have yet to do a fully covered bead piece, but that is my ultimate goal.

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