Beaded 2 Bless

Bead Fest Texas is fast approaching and I have been making kits and even putting a new design together for my students. The workshop being offered on Friday October 26th from 6-9pm is Steampunk Style Beaded Cogs. Here is a quick photo of the new design using the same technique being taught in class. You can also find me at meet the teacher on Friday from 11:30-1pm. Many of the teachers will have their wares for sale as well as contact info for future reference.  For the first time ever, "The Native Spirit Earrings" kit will be available too. The Native Spirit Earring! Hope to see you at Bead Fest. Blessings!

It has been a very long time since my last post. Hang on to your hats because I now have a laptop dedicated to staying connected that no one else will be using- ever. I have been beading- but not on anything very  important.  I participated in a bird RR for a beaded art doll group on yahoo. I also had the privilege of delivering a RR doll to its owner after 9 other ladies worked on her. We had to put all the other dolls on hold so that we might deliver "Joy" as soon as possible. The dolly's mommy was very ill and was concerned that she may not see her doll before she died. Well, we barely made it. She received her doll only a week before she went home to be with the Lord. Carol Anne was a  remarkable lady (forefront) and an amazing friend and mother. Kathy is an awesome friend too (also pictured). Usually the passing of a loved one while working on a beaded doll puts me in a funk. Having been able to deliver hers really gave me some closure on that k...

As a toddler, my mother knew there was something wrong with my ankles. It probably didn't help soothe her mind to note that there were two other cases of club foot and  another baby born to my father with a severe deformity. I tell you this because my mother spent a lot of time rubbing my feet and taking care that I had just the right shoes. I wore corrective shoes and braces until I was old enough to protest. She knew I meant business when I threw one of the braces out the window as we sped down the highway. Thanks to my mother, her persistence and the grace of God, I can walk today. A real trendy shoe to be beaded! Shoes always had a special significance to me, not just because they are trendy, but because they represent her dedication to my future. When I found her ballroom slippers under her bed just before she passed ( we knew she was going to in just a matter of hours), I cried my eyes out. Being practical, I nearly passed them over. It wasn't...

Whenever I create a doll, I am whisked away by the Creative Spirit. It is that little voice inside me that directs me down the path. With "Firefly" that voice was harder to hear and spoke far fewer words, just as you might expect from a doll that is asking the for the flames to be fanned into an inferno from just a smoldering coal. The vision grew into a brighter light. Now we have "The Flood". It is indeed  a flood of ideas, a rushing movement of a fluid life. It is another representation of one's life captured in art, a piece that has identified what cannot be explained in words. Face the Flood. The face of "The Flood" is aware, somewhat serene, but will keep you wondering. The color captures the strength  of the wave caps.  Even the texture is meant to portray the "foaming" of the waves as they break. Since first creating this doll's form, there have been many projects to complete, strict schedules to stick too, and ...

Wow, who would have thought anything could stop a Flood?!   Well Little "Lady Bird" has done just that.  There is no apology necessary for getting distracted with this little bird challenge from BAD . Baby pink is not my usual go to color. In fact, I tend to avoid it when possible. Pastels are just not my thing. Ever since I created a bunch of birds for kits for the Texas Bead Retreat, I have been eyeing a pink form that had little birds printed on it. I KNOW- again with the birds! She took form when several things collided. The form hanging around, the challenge, a face laying on my table rejected by The Flood, and then the final factor. There was a news story about folks complaining about the mowers wanting to mow down some of the wildflowers early due to limited visibility. Of course the story could not be aired without retelling the story of "Lady Bird Johnson's" Highway Beautification Program, because that is were the wildflowers origi...

Along with a new doll, a flood of other things have been flowing on and off my desk. Wow, what a rush! The list I had has been dwindled down to just a few things undone. I did finish my Gualtier Challenge piece and outfit, the vests, curtains, and even got that RR bird winging its way to completion.  Fred  Fred I had planned on designing a new advanced Cog Kit for my Bead Fest students but all I managed to do was get my samples sent to Interweave for a photo shoot. I am delighted that asked to include my samples in their promotional photos. This morning, a new "Steamin' Inchies" kit and tutorial materialized...I wish it were really that easy but it was easier than some other tutorials I've written. Now for the The Big Reveal Here is the concept drawing coming to form. The Rushing Waters of The Flood are Coming your way! The Flood. The Flood- Backside.  Blessings!

Firefly went to the   "Unlocking the Heart of the Artist  Exhibit," held by The Worship Studio in Georgia, with many thanks from some special bead angels,  we were rewarded for our effort. She was chosen as one of the two   "Honorable Mentions." I know we all dread that word "obedience" but really it is not so dreadful. It is not at all an unhappy experience when you get your head in the game and your heart set right and just do what it is that you are being called to. The rewards, the blessings far outweigh any discomfort or inconvenience you may experience in the beginning. Really, it beats the snot out of the consequences too. I usually begin a doll with a specific motivation to hold me steadfast and to be obedient to the vision. This time the motivation didn't come until it was almost to late to complete the piece for its purpose. With the exception of the Round Robin dolls, I have always completed every stitch by my own hand. This doll was a f...