Sunday, January 20, 2008

Beading dolls - how it all started



It has been about 3 years now since my first attempt at a beaded doll. I remember it well since it took me almost 2 months to work up the courage to even try it.

I scoured the internet for examples and tutorials, I bought a book about beaded dolls, but never in my wildest dreams did I believe I would be able to create such intricate works of art with those tiny bits of glass. I'm still learning and very happy in finding my way and meeting people I would not have otherwise.

I worked on counted cross stitch for years, I like to keep my hands busy in the evenings after a full day of work - I find it relaxing.

Early on I came across little kits by Mill Hill that incorporated beads and cross stitch in one project. I enjoyed the challenge of adding different types of stitches with beads to what I was already familiar with. It was different, but fun. And, oh the sparkle of the glass... I had no idea where that path would lead me.

The photos below follow my transition on a small scale leading up to the time I found dolls...


Counted cross stitch - 9 x 12 inches


Counted cross stitch 8 x 15 inches


The back... I can't remember who told me... "the back should look as neat as the front!"


Counted cross stitch 5 x 7 inches


Counted cross stitch 5 x 7 inches


Counted cross stitch 5 x 7 inches

Then the slow transition to beads with some kits from Mill Hill...















The following was made from I kit I purchased from Ann Benson, it is a 5 x 7 panel and was my first all beaded project.


Finally I found my way to bead embroidery and improvisational beading. My very first beaded doll was a teeny tiny doll I named Laverne. You can find a photo of her here which also happens to be my very first post on this blog.

Fun stuff!

3 comments:

girlgonethreadwild said...

Wow, what a great picture trail in how you got started beading dolls Grace! You patient patient woman you... I should have known that cross stitch is one of your gifts... just how talented are you? Don't tell me, I already know!!!

GraceBeading said...

Thank you my friend, you're so kind and I appreciate it :-)

Dot said...

This is so interesting Grace! I started off cross stitching years ago too.

Loved seeing your evolution (and what an incredible evolution) into becoming the amazing bead artist you are today.

Leaves of Grass

This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body - Walt Whitman