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.