Saturday, January 30, 2010

February's Love in Progress

Ok, so I thought I'd show you the beginning stages of my February BJP piece.  As usual, it's not coming out as I had it in my head.  The theme, of course, is "love"...but love what?  Originally I had thought about "Showered with Love".  I had in my head to do some kind of cool rain affect, but I just couldn't figure out how.  I think if I was using regular bugle beads it would have worked better.  But it was just not meant to be.  I had already chosen to use the Cat's Eye Rectangular Tubes, and I am happy with that decision...because it IS meant to be.  What I like about the Cat's Eyes is, first of all, they are a little different.  They have the same general look as a bugle, but they are much more substantial.  It just gives a different twist to using standard bugles.  Another thing I like is their finish.  It's very satiny and I think it is really beautiful.  I'm afraid my pic won't do them justice.  And then I also like the fact that all the end edges are smooth, unlike bugles which have sharp edges on the ends that can cut the thread.  There is no need to use seed beads on the ends to protect your thread. 

So I started with the vines and the flowers.  I was very happy with the way they turned out.  I used an odd shade of green trasparent/lined seed bead along with a copper color to twist around to make the vines.  Then I used the Smoked Resin Buttercup Flower in topaz and the Czech Glass Bell Flowers to dress them up.  I also thought the 6mm Glass Hearts made the most adorable little flower buds on the vines! :)  I was thinking of the vines and flowers and how love grows and blossoms...I'm very happy with the way they turned out.  Now, what to do next?  THAT was the problem!!!    (side note:  a funny thing my 8 year old Sara said...she thought the Czech Bell Flowers looked like chocolate chips.  Guess who was hungry for a snack before bed! lol)

I took out some other hearts in amethyst and copper along with the Cat's Eyes and put them down on the fabric in MANY different ways.  And I have to admit, I was beginning to have a lot of anxiety over the whole thing.  (For those of you who don't know, I am bipolar and also have terrible anxiety issues).  Beading has always been my calmness, but last night it was quite the opposite.  I told my husband that my anxiety was getting high.  He asked why and I said I thought because I wanted to do these beads from Artbeads justice and I was worried over it.  He quite simply said that I'm just supposed to have fun with it.  Ok, let's make it a little more simple and a lot less stressful.  So I dumped all the loose beads off the fabric and went back to basics.  First, I am journaling about love.  The love of my husband.  The love of my kids.  The rest of my family and friends.  It is nurtured and watered and fed and then it grows more beautiful each day.  I sat with that feeling for a few minutes.  Then I went back to Robin's basics.  When you don't know what to do next, make a beaded pathway.  I can do that!  Instead of the bugle beads I would normally use, I used the Cat's Eyes to make a curved path.  Then I chose another seed bead in a reddish-purplish color to start making another path under it.  Then I thought it kind of reminded me of a hill, so I decided to make another Cat's Eye hill.  I think what I'll do next is make a few strips of different colors and/or stitches under each one.  That will keep me busy for a little while until the next revelation hits me and I feel what I should do next.  I would say "know" what to do next...but that wouldn't be accurate.  I never "know" what to do!  "Feel" what to do is more accurate for me.

So, here it is...my February piece on Love in progress.  How do you think it's going so far?  (Please ignore the fabric.  It will be covered, and I really don't like it with this project, but it's what I had on hand.)  Also, you can click on it for a larger view.







disclaimer:  Artbeads.com has sent me free products to use and review on my blog.  I am not being compensated in any way for my honest opinions of their products.

11 comments:

Robin said...

Your husband is so right... And you followed through with it perfectly... sit with your underlying thoughts, tuck them in the back of your mind, pick up a bead you love and sew it on!!! And now, look at this! You have a beautiful flowering-blossoming vine and some hills (to climb?) made with those gorgeous cat's eye beads. Yummy beads on this piece so far... I bet Artbeads will be getting some orders for those buttercup flowers from us!

One little suggestion I have for the remainder of your BJP pieces... Even though you cover up the fabric, choose something you LOVE! This fabric looks kinda busy and may have contributed to your stress about your work. I know you'll cover it up and it will LOOK fine... but all the time you're working with it you have these "not OK" fellings that require energy to overcome. I know you can do it this time... but next time give yourself the gift of fabric you love! Hugs, Robin A.

robin michelle said...

This is great! I love the beaded vines and the way they twist. How did you do that? The little flower beads are beautiful! I'm looking forward to seeing this completed.

Crazy Mama said...

thank you robin. your thoughts always mean a lot. and you're right about the fabric. i normally start with something i love, but my crafty budget is sucked dry right now and i really couldn't go to the store, so i'm making do. it was very distracting at first, but now i'm looking past the pattern of the fabric and seeing just the beads.

and thank you too, robin michelle. i too love the little flower beads :) i'll email you with how i did the twist. it was really quite simple, but good effect don't you think?

Karin said...

I love the way you've incorporated the flowers. Great progress, and it's going to be a gorgeous piece.

flyingbeader said...

I see that Robin told you the fabric was a little busy..that is true. But in a way I like it. I would leave some of exposed to show the emotion of how complicated love can be. Oh, and your husband is so right too...got to have fun!

dot

Magpie Sue said...

There's so much wisdom in both your post and in the comments!

I recognize that fabric - I believe I have some! I can see where it would have added to your stress level. Glad to hear you are now able to look beyond it and feel better about where you're headed with this piece. The twisty vines are definitely cool.

Lynn said...

This is going to be love-ly! I know what you mean about letting the stress of getting it right build up. I'm always reminding myself to let the beads take the lead, which I why I never try to plan a piece too much.

And I personally love the fact you are using what you have on hand and (as Tim Gunn would say) "make it work".

Kali said...

I really like the vines and flowers -- the twisting is so graceful. I'm also inspired by your story about relaxing into the work. I need to do some of that myself!

Crazy Mama said...

hi lynn...always nice to hear from you! i feel a little bad because you were happy that i'm using what i have on hand. well, only some of it is. i'm using some of the seed beads i have, but all the doo-dads are what i received from artbeads.com to review and blog about. so i hope i don't get "auf'd" for that! lol

kali, thanks for your compliment on my vines. i am very happy with the way they turned out, and i think they will make more appearances in future projects. :)

Dees said...

You did a wonderfull job. I can relate to letting stress build up but you also have the experience that the piece beads itself.. just using your hands. I will follow to see what comes up next.
Love your prase about beading a pathway if you get stuck. I did that in my january piece, not knowing it would have been one of Robin's advises. It does work though!

Bobbi Ann said...

Very wonderful job on this so far Lisa, love where this is going!
hugs and happy beading...
Bobbi