Well, the first month of 2018 is gone...how did that happen? I've made the resolution that this year is going to be my creative renaissance. I intend on creating every day, in whatever capacity I am able. With that being said, this month got away from me once again and I procrastinated WAY too much to get my project done fully! I think this might be the first time I have ever posted a work in progress. But some of that is due to enthusiasm...because this is what my project box looks like for January...
With the best of intentions I raided my artisan components after Christmas. I pulled out components, accent beads, and seed beads so that I could just pick up a little box and go and create without thinking about anything. I have a seperate bag of tools/needles/thread and other necessities, so all I need to do to take a project on the run is grab a project box, bag of tools, and a surface. It is definitely helpful to be prepared like that! I had hoped to have more than 1 project for the reveal, but instead...
I found this partially completed project and was inspired to finally finish it. These two ceramic leaves were a gift several years ago from a friend. Neither of us remembers the artist anymore. At the time I made a really long lariat strap for them, but it was too plain. Needed more to create an environment for the leaves to live in...
I went with transparent rootbeer brown and matte olive lined olive seed beads for the strap, because I wanted the leaves to look like they belonged on the ends of this vine.
Then I made two large beadwork flowers in raspberry tones. I love the combination of raspberry and olive.
So here we are. In order to make this look like something other than flowers stuck on leaves on a string, I needed something to add more texture and background color.
I made three lacy spirals using netting and fringe techniques. For the brightest one, I also stitched up 3 little bud shapes to match the flowers. I like the look of 3 points of contrast in a piece, so I hoped that these buds would help balance the flowers.
The tendrils are not yet stitched in place, but this is what I'm going for!
There should be lots of ways to tie this when I'm done. Not only can you tie the two sides of the strap together in various ways, but you will also be able to pull up one or more tendrils and wrap them around the strap to help keep it attached to the other side.
What do you think?! I wish I had gotten farther along on my project, or done and been able to work on more, but oh well. Baby steps - after all, I am working to create a new culture of creativity for myself. None of this happens in one day, or one month, or one year even. I have the entirety of 2018 to build on this for myself.
I hope you will hop along and see what everyone else has been up to! I can't wait to see!
Guests:
Kelly Rodgers
Sarajo Wentling
Samantha Wescott
Kathy Lindemer
Patty Miller
Linda Landig
Renetha Stanziano
Art Elements:
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jen Cameron
Claire Fabian
Sue Kennedy
Niky Sayers
Lindsay Starr (you are here!)
