May BJP (Bead Journal Page)

(clickable for a larger view)

This is the page for May - the final installation of my Bead Journal Project... hard to believe it's been a whole year. I'm happy to end the year on a colorful note. This page represents so much, starting with the back ground fabric - it was one of several beautiful pieces that were gifted to me in a random act of kindness by my friend Kathy over at Kathy's Quilts. I love the colors in all the pieces she sent but really liked the way this one seemed to compliment the felted hearts - aren't they wonderful?

Both of the hearts were made while I was in Kentucky with friends. We were there to celebrate the life of one of our other friends that passed away last December. My dear friend Anne brought a couple of pieces (strands, ropes...what do you call it anyway?) of roving. It is the first opportunity I have had to play with it - the colors she brought were beautiful! She also supplied the needle tool for dry felting. I made the little blue/purple heart using that method.

She pulled off a bigger hunk and added a bit of water to wet felt hers. We had a ball. There were two other friends with us (Bobbie and Sammie) that joined in the fun as well. It was an evening filled with good food, good friends and fond memories of our departed friend. Simply perfect!

The smaller blue heart represents the struggles I've encountered with a loved one over the last few months, the heart break as well as the hope for healing and positive things in the future.

The larger heart represents my time spent in Kentucky at Faith Hill with my friends. The little green heart in the upper left represents Lonnie - our departed friend, how much he'll be missed and the way he brought us all together. The little pearls are for each of my friends - Anne, Bobbie, Sammie, Berlis, George, Wayne and Pam - each special and dear to me in so many ways. The spiral for the cycles of life and change. May it all be for the better!

The past 12 months on the project has taken me through highs and lows, many that came as an unexpected surprise. Some incredibly creative months and others not so much. It's been mostly fun, sometimes hard, but always a great learning experience. I have had a tendency to shy away from dipping too far into the well of my feelings for fear of what I may pull out - knowing these pages are on a stage where there is a greater chance that more people will see them than my comfortable circle of friends. In the last 12 months I have tried my best to dig a little deeper, share a little more and at times it has been challenging - a good challenge though, a healthy challenge to be sure.

I feel so fortunate to have been a part of this project. I have found it to be a valuable learning experience. If/when you get a chance, please take a moment (or an hour) and check out the website created for this special project. You will find images and bios on each of the participants from all over the world as well as information on the next year - yes Robin is doing it again! I have signed up to begin another year of bead work in September.

Now, putting together the 12 months of pages ... I can't really make it into a 'book' as some of my pages are fairly deep. Going back to December where I attached a snowman doll with his carrot nose - wouldn't be conducive to a book as I think of one. Right not I'm leaning in the direction of adding a little beaded loop to the back of each piece which will allow me to hang them in a grouping on a wall.

I hope to have a photo of them all together shortly. Thank you to those that have virtually taken this journey with me and provided feedback and support.