Beading Goliath

So I figured...if I was ever asked to be in a rap video I HAVE to have some bling 'cause I'm sure NOT going to twerk....

I like to break the rules.  I especially like challenging the idea that jewelry should be a certain way or made of a certain thing or that earrings, bracelets and necklaces should match.  I don't know if this is the little rebel in me or if I am a touch eccentric...but probably a little of both.  =P

A while back I went to a very small local Gem & Mineral Show and encountered a man with stone slab that did custom cut work.  *grin*  YAY!  While looking through his buckets of slab, a piece of Outback Jasper called out to me so....I decided to have him cut it for me.  I wanted a BIG cab...a really big cab...a really really big cab...like a brobdingnagian cab - I call it Goliath.  (Ha!  I crack myself up - how appropriate to call a big stone Goliath...)

Brob·ding·nag·i·an
/ˌbräbdiNGˈnaɡēən/

Adjective
           1. gigantic.
Noun
           2. a giant.

Now, you have to understand, I knew this was gonna be a large piece of rock...but I have to admit, when I received it in the mail its size took me by surprise.  This beast is 4 3/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches.  Here is a pic of the finished cab:

Now look at your palm.  See?  Huge.

I am breaking the rules and making one hell of a big necklace with this one.  Because of it's sheer size and weight there were some unique challenges I faced...which I will share here.

First, I normally do NOT glue down my cabs to Lacy's Stiff Stuff or Ultra Suede before beading them - partly because if something happens and I am not happy with the final product I don't have to worry about trying to rip the backing off the cab.  This one is a bit different.  This cabs weighs a ton and I didn't like the idea of that kind of weight resting solely on the beads and thread of the bezel.

So, I glued down the monstrous cab and spent what seemed like eons building up the peyote-stitch bezel.  Now, next step was to add a line of beads around the outside of the cab.  One thing I knew not to do with this piece was to make it any bigger than it already was, but one thing I have learned - you always need to have at least 1 row of beads around the outside of a bead-bezeled cab.  The primary reason is this ensures you don't have a strange rim of Lacy's sticking out beyond the cab after you do your edging row.

I knew before I started this crazy project EXACTLY what I wanted to achieve - and I knew HOW I wanted to achieve it (unusual!).  The goal?  Lichen...  Now, I had worked on a project back in the day as part of a challenge for Blu Mud (back when they made ceramic components).  It involved creating a whole lot of seed beaded circles.  I remembered that they only laid flat when I worked hard not to have a tight tension - so I knew if I increased my tension I would be able to make little cups.  Here is the result:

So I attached the lichen and ran into a bit of a challenge...how was I going to attach the straps?!  I mean, being that this thing weighs a ton, thread would NOT be an option...and I was even concerned about using SoftFlex since the attachment point would still be small and involve thread.  I came up with a cool idea.

I have been making copper jewelry for some years now under the name Magnolia House.  Most of our (it's a mother/daughter business) pieces sell either person to person or in one of the 2 local stores that carries our work.  This being said it popped into my head that I had a soldered wire triangle sitting on my worktable with no where to go.  This would work perfect!

Here is what I did:  I cut around the cab so that I had it ready for a backing of ultra suede, then I cut another piece of Lacy's the same size and shape. Then I used Fireline and secured the triangle by sewing...and sewing...and sewing loops around the copper piece.  This is the end result:

The reason I did this was so that I had a very secure place for the straps to come off the piece of work that would not compromise the beadwork of the piece...AND...was weighty enough that it would easily hold up.  Then I glued (GENEROUSLY glued) the 2 backings together sandwiching the stitched copper piece between the Lacy's.  THEN I backed the piece and beaded the edges to finish.

The end result of this piece was EXACTLY what I wanted.  I have not yet been asked to be in a rap video...but if I am, I am DEFINITELY prepared!

             And here is the thug-worthy final product!     

There were quite a few challenges in creating this piece both due to size and weight...but with a little out-of-the-box thinking I am now rap video ready!  *smirk*

When Creativity Leaves The Creative

Writers block.  Lost inspiration.  Empty.  When you sit down with everything in front of you and just can't make yourself make something.

No, this isn't yo mama's blog entry about how to find inspiration.  I think we probably all already know several ways to ignite the inspiration bulb.  Thing is...WHY does it happen?  I have been struggling with this problem off and on for a good year.  Its not that I don't have ideas or that I am not excited about my ideas...its actually that I can't make myself DO the things I want to do.

Here is something I have discovered.  Creatives are EXTREMELY sensitive to their environment and emotions.  When something is off, like dealing with an overly stressful time at work or a infuriating boss or internal emotional turmoil, our creative center becomes tapped.  I'm not sure if its because we employ all our creativeness in resolving the situation we are in or if its that it just happens to be the first "extra" resource of energy we tap.  Either way, the first thing that seems to leave is our ability to act upon that which makes us most happy - creating.  This is a vicious cycle and can spiral downward for a long period of time - sometimes taking weeks, months or even longer to kick out of.  Basically, when you are drained in other life-areas...many times you will find yourself drained creatively.

The only real advice I have for these times is to not lose hope...to not give up and allow yourself guiltless time to work things out and get back to the status quo.  This is important because it WILL return and to feel guilty about a pause is really counter productive.  All this to say that I had a recent burst of energy.  Small...but enough to FINALLY complete a new piece.

You may recognize that this necklace was my entry for the final Beading Back in Time blog hop.  I am JUST NOW finishing it and I am totally patting myself on the back right now...because it is a small step away from the empty bucket I had been feeling.  It is a bright spot and sometimes you just gotta congratulate yourself for beginning the process back into your creative self.  Finally.

Beading Back in Time Blog Hop - Favorite Time in History

Indecision is the enemy of creativity.

This is my seemingly unscalable mountain in beading.  Indecision has directed a series of challenges that have resulted in a lot of unfinished projects for me.  Many times I knew what I wanted in a general way but I either became frustrated in the process or couldn't decide what to do next.  I was determined that this piece would not end like that.

For this hop, I decided to rummage through some of my stash and let IT speak to me.  I ended up gravitating toward an old German glass pendant I picked up in Nashville while visiting Lindsay Starr (of Phantasm Creations).

I decided to try for a Victorian/ Art Nouveau look for this piece.  I rarely sketch what I want to create ahead of time but I almost immediately know what direction I would be heading in and I needed to get it out of my imagination and onto paper:

I wanted to incorporate the wheat theme that you see frequently in Victorian mourning jewelry (see some examples below: 

Get this...these pieces are made with human hair!  If you have never seen Victorian hair work - you really need to do some google searches...it is some of the most incredible/ awe inspiring jewelry, pictures, etc etc.



After hours of embroidering and ripping out stitches, it dawned on me that the only way to replicate the wheat-look I saw in my mind's eye was to use bugles!  I have NO idea why it took me so long to realize this...but you know how sometimes you get stuck in a single vein of thinking and when you finally step back, you realize...*light bulb*!

Here I had already bezeled the pendant, figured out the stupid wheat situation and begun my first row of 15s around the outer edge.  See...YOU get the short painless version of the story - the one that doesn't include all the hassle and frustration and duh-moments.

I continued the 15s around the outside of the pendant until I had encased the majority of the wheat motif and promptly realized that I didn't have enough room for the bottom portion I drew on my sketch.  Oops.  Ultimately. I realized that trying to cut out, back the piece, and finish the edges would have been impossible with the original design.

I ended up with this as the finished pendant portion of the necklace.

Now I am gonna be honest here - I did not struggle with indecision with this piece for 5 seconds...BUT while being away with my aunts and cousins this weekend for a MUCH needed girls weekend and having stayed up till 2:30am having a deep familial therapy session, finishing this blog much less the necklace became impossible.  It is nearly 3:30am as I sit here writing this.  But family...especially these amazing women I share blood and love for must take priority.

I did eventually figure out how to finish the bottom of the necklace before I stopped.  I intend to finish with black faceted beads and silver Czech beads for the strap...but, alas, this must be for another day.  Here is what I have to this point:

Let me tell you...I am slowly learning to trust my gut and not get wrapped up in indecision whether it be from too many choices or being generally unsure.  This is something that is more than just a bead-lesson -- it's a life lesson.  Tonight around a table sat 2 generations of women who descended from Kings and Paupers, Manhattan Project chemists and at-home-mothers, from one of the first women to ever receive a college education to unsung heros.  We have pictures a hundred years old and love letters spanning over a century - we have a deep sense of where we come from and who we are and you know what?  History is utterly priceless - family history, the history of human-kind, the history of beads.  Pardon me for waxing poetic at this late hour but I can't help but look back and realize; choices are the stuff of life and indecision is the stuff of death.  What a privilege we have to work with that small piece of glass with a hole in it - something that humans have used since time began!  How truly incredible it is that this link to our history - that tiny piece of glass with a hole in it - has the ability to teach modern-day-me SO much about myself and life.  Funny how that is...isn't it?

Please check out my beading buddies blog and the time in history they chose!

Sherri Stokey -----Co-Host

Lindsay Starr -----Co-Host

Anastasia Kristala Urbanski

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Stephanie Haussler

Niky Sayers

Melissa Trudinger

Kelly Rodgers -----You are HERE!

Michelle McCarthy

Beading Back in Time Blog Hop Reveal!!

Welcome to the Beading Back in Time Blog Hop Challenge Reveal!  Well…at least I am revealing what I can.  Deadlines being what they are and life being what it is, sometimes things just don’t get done.  That is not to say that I haven’t poured into this challenge!

As I mentioned in my previous post, the theme for this round is “Pre-Human”.  I spend a lot of time working to make sure that every design component honored my beliefs.  I am so excited to share with you my process and the meaning behind each component and ultimately what the finished piece will look like.

First I wanted to create what is represented in Genesis as “before”.  Before there was something…there was nothing but God.  (For those interested:  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.  Genesis 1:2) This representation of emptiness kept presenting itself to me as a cone shape – a sort of cyclone of blackness.  In working through how I wanted to create this, Lindsay Starr (my beading buddy extraordinaire) of Phantasm Creations reminded me of the Kate McKinnon book Contemporary Geometric Beadwork in which cone shapes are explored!  Perfect!  Not only was I able to utilize this book as a resource to explore my own beadwork…but it gave me EXACTLY the look I was going for.  This is what I ended up with:

I used a bead mix I created using matte & shiny blacks and greys to give my “nothing”-cone texture.  I also wanted to somehow represent God’s existence even before creation…within the “nothing”.  Every time I type, “The nothing” I am reminded of The Neverending Story.  Atreu!!!!  But, I digress…To represent God’s presence, I created a purple spiral around the cone.  Historically the color purple has been worn by royalty and those with riches and power.  The primary reason for this is the process for making purple dye was not easy to do, lengthy and pricey.  Interestingly, before Jesus was crucified he was mocked by being made to wear a purple robe. (John 19:5)  This is how the cone turned out:

The first act of creation was the creation of light and the separation of light from dark as seen in Genesis 1:3-4, “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good.  And God separated the light from the darkness.”  In order to represent this, pouring from the cone of “nothing” is my interpretation of light using silver lined Czech true cuts.  This was the first act of creation and completed the first day.  While I haven’t attached the “light” to the “nothing”-cone, here is a picture to represent what it will look like once done:

The second day of creation is harder to interpret but essentially God created the heavens and the earth but the earth was basically water.  (Genesis 1:6-8)  My first step in creating early earth was to create the waters.  So I applied a technique I had used in an earlier piece I constructed and made a circular disc with clear beads using blue thread.  I used this technique instead of just using a watery blue bead because I think this creates more depth and a much more realistic interpretation of water.  What do you think?

The next step in my process is to add land and plants, which were created on the 3^rd day.  (Genesis 1:9-13)  This proved to be a pain to make.  My intent was to create Pangea as a separate beaded layer.  While trying to figure out how on Earth (pun intended) to do this...I decided to make a graphed out version to use as a template.  I love that beading Pangea as a separate layer allowed my creative process to follow the timeline of creation but it also gives my beaded earth dimension!

On the 4^th day the Sun, moon and stars were created.  (Genesis 1:14-19) Originally I was going to skip beading this, I’m not sure why…maybe because the 5th day is so exciting.  But the more I thought about it, the more I think it would be a mistake to skip a WHOLE DAY (I mean, I am already super limited on my timeline)!  So…staying true to theme, belief and medium…I will be creating a sun & moon.  I have already started the moon (see below).  Once both are done, I will attach them to the Earth.  I intend to make the sun with the same circular beading technique I have used on Earth and with the moon...but I will be using a mix of reds, oranges, yellows and whites and will attach loops representing solar flares.  Once the sun and moon are created, they will be attached to the earth and start the upward slope on the right hand side of the necklace. 

Last but not least we have the beginnings of the explosion of life on earth – the 5^th day – which is when the beasts of the sea and the birds of the air were created!  (Genesis 1:20-23) Because my piece is so abstract, I didn’t want to bead an entire fish and bird.  I chose instead to bead elements of each – a fin and feathers.  I have finished both of the fins I will be incorporating however I have not begun my feathers.  Here is a picture of the fins!

 Once all my pieces are constructed I will begin the process of assembling.  Here is a pic with all of the pieces I have made thus far and how they will lay when I am putting them together.

 This process of exploration thru time in beadwork has really been challenging for me and I am so excited to finish this piece and post later.  I really hope that you enjoyed seeing my process and perspective...and don't forget to check out all the other participant's designs...everyone did such an amazing job!

Co-hostess:  Lindsay Starr of PhantasmCreations

Co-hostess:  Sherri Stokey of Knot Just Macrame

 

Kelly Rodgers of Beadin' Black & Blue - You are Here!

Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio

Caroline Dewison of Blueberribeads

Melissa Trudinger of Boho BirdJewellery

Sue Kennedy of SueBeads

Stephanie and Chris Haussler of Pixibug Designs

Jen Cameron of Glass Addictions

Jean Wells of Jean A. Wells Artisan Jewelry

Wow, so I am not really great at blogging. What a shame! Well, I thought I would re-try my blogging in order to post about the up-coming Beading Back in Time Blog Hop Challenge!

This challenge is to create something that represents the world at the Pre-Human stage.  When the theme was revealed I was a tad nervous.  I have a very unpopular belief about the beginnings of the world & universe.  Without getting too deep into the religious aspects, I am a young earth creationist.  I love science, I love the fossil record, I am DEEPLY interested in the creation timeline vs. the evolutionary timeline.  This being said, with a Pre-Human challenge, I have literally 5 days to work with!

 I decided that in order to stay true to myself, my beliefs and my beadwork, I must stay within the guidelines of my views on the way the world was formed.  So...coming at the end of this month, I will be posting about my journey thru this challenge and my beadwork!  I hope you will come and enjoy this journey with me January 31st!

Perspiration for Inspiration (And interview with Kharisma Ryantori)

One thing that often happens with any artist, beaders and otherwise, is that we can temporarily lose our muse. There are a lot of different ways to get the creative juices flowing again…and you can start by seeking inspiration! There are SO many ways of doing this and I intend to explore many of them in this blog.

Have you ever noticed how a tremendous amount of artists put nature on the top of their inspiration list? Well, if you think about it, this only makes sense! It is where we derive many of our colors, and even structures. There is a vast sea of inspiration that can come from the world around us. But this post will not be about nature being inspiration. (Haha, sike!) People sometimes forget that there are many alternative means for finding inspiration. Another common one is another artist’s work. There is a lot about another artists work that can inspire…we can explore – technique, color composition, texture juxtaposition, material, even abstracted versions of other’s art can prove inspirational. One thing you can do is to pull up Google and do an image search in a general idea and you will find a plethora of artists work to pull inspiration from. Please take note that inspiration is NOT duplication. One should only use another’s work for getting ideas…but the honorable and ethical thing to do is to NOT duplicate or copy another’s work.

When I find that my creative juices have waned, Etsy, Artfire, Google Images and even bookmarked work or saved photos will get the ideas pouring out again! I also make a point to keep an idea journal – something that I can sketch ideas in. I may never actually get to them…or they may not work in reality but it can still provide much needed inspiration for a workable piece. When in need, don’t fret!!!! Don’t get yourself worked up into a perspiration for inspiration!!!

I have mentioned in earlier posts that a particular artist has been a great inspiration for me in my recent foray into wirework. I am pleased to introduce, Kharisma Ryantori, artist behind Popnicute! Kharisma, Kay for short, began her journey into wirework around a year and a half ago. From a world away, in Surabaya, East Java, she creates delectable wearable artwork. In the following interview we will meet her and see how she is inspired.

Q: Kay, what inspired you to start making jewelry?

A: I've been making jewelry since I was 17. But by then until 2008, on and off, I only did simple stringing. It escalated to wire twisting type of jewelry in my college years. But then it stopped because I was swamped by college projects. My aunts would occasionally ask me to make them something but that's about it. And then one day, in early 2008, my fiancé showed me this nice wire wrapped jewelry in deviantArt, I was like "wow! [I] didn't know you could do that!". Then I started looking and [was] wowed by so many nice things done in what I [would] later know is called wire wrapping style. It made me drool and want to learn more about it. But I didn't know where to get the wire in that thickness. The only available wire in local bead stores only accommodates wire twisting style, about 28 gauge. SO when my boyfriend (fiancé now), came to visit me in Summer 2008, he brought me 6 spools of colored bead wire in 20 gauge, said they were gifts from his mom. And the rest is history.

**You can see more of Kay’s work on her DeviantArt account, here.

Q: What/who would you say has been the greatest influence/inspiration for your work?

A: It could easily be Iza Malczyk. I find myself browsing her gallery when I'm out of ideas. She's just too amazing! DeviantArt is also a great source of inspiration.

Q: What piece was the toughest for you to design/execute/create and how did you "figure it out"?

A: I don't have any particular piece in mind. They all have had their own challenges. If I'm not sure about a new technique, I'd use my copper wire to practice. After the trial and error phase, usually I get them figured out.

Q: When you have "beader's block" how do you overcome it, what gets your creative juices flowing again?

A: When I get horrible artist block, I sleep. Before bed I'd think of the materials I’d like to use and try to create things with them in my imagination. Sometimes I'd get the answer when I wake up. If I still get nothing, I'd browse the galleries of my favorite artists. Usually I'll try to eyeball their techniques, that gets my artistic juice flowing. It's like sport for the mind. So instead of getting my adrenaline pumping, I get my artistic juice flowing. But mind you that I do it not to copy their work. It's my way to learn new techniques. [I might find] some

thing that I might not have even thought of before. I like to challenge my mind. Instead of buying tutorials, I'd eyeball them first. If I'm stuck, I'd consider [getting] the tutorials.

Q: What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment as an artist?

A: To have people say "I knew it was your design when I saw it". I think having a personal and recognizable style is important. I like experimenting and exploring new fields but hopefully the "Popnicute touch" is still there.

Q: Where do you hope/plan to go with your jewelry in the next 5 years?

A: Hopefully I'll be famous by then ;) And probably teaching some live classes.

Q: What is your favorite tool in your toolbox?

A: Probably my stepped pliers and my hammer.

Q: Would you suggest any books for budding wire workers/beaders?

A: Hmm…I don't have anything in particular but I like books/e-books. I love reading and learning things that spark my interest. I'd suggest you to buy books/tutorials on thing

s you'd like to learn at the moment. Otherwise they'll just sit on your shelf and gathering dust. Buy books based on your skill level and when you're ready to take up the challenge buy more advanced ones.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to other beaders/wire workers what would it be?

A: Don't be afraid to experiment. It's good for you :) And don't go by text book smart, combine techniques, make adjustments and innovate :)

Thank you, Kay for giving us some insight into your world and showing us how you inspire and are inspired!

As you can see, we all have our “beading block” moments. Sometimes it just takes putting the piece down and waiting for the answer to come to you. Remember, there is a wealth of inspiration out there…so go and find it!

Remember…inspire and be inspired!

**You can become a fan of Kay’s work here or even follow her on twitter! She even carries supplies here!