The Bead Journal Project started another round for 2010 and I signed up for my third year. This time, I am happy to say, I started right on time. I wanted to do something different this round. The last 2 rounds I made pieces that hang on the wall, I wanted something I could wear and decided to go with pins. My second thought was that I did not want to do a standard round, oval or square shape (one of the only rules of the BJP is each piece should be the same shape/size), and I have been feeling like it will never warm up around here - that all led me to flowers.
I also thought I would explore monochromatic pieces, choosing a different color each month. I have almost finished my February piece and so far so good on the monochromatic plan. We shall see if I can stick to that for all twelve months without the pieces becoming boring or me becoming bored with it. I added a second photo here of the front with a little different lighting.
This is the piece for January, I named this one Lily and she is just over 2 1/2 inches around. The face is carved bone, the beads are Japanese and Czech. There are also freshwater pearls and sequins for some texture. This is actually the second version, I was just about complete with the first version, but I didn't like it at all. I did not have the outside edge defined enough and it ended up looking more like an amoeba (or something that swims in a petri dish) than a flower. So it was back to the drawing board for a more defined version of a flower, then cutting a new template.
A big thank you to J, my SO for bringing my vision to life (as well as eliminating my frustration) by drawing a perfect little flower to my specs.
The entire piece is backed with white Ultrasuede, and has a piece of poster board sandwiched between the beaded piece and the Ultrasuede for a little added stability.
*all photos are clickable for a larger view*
I had this grand plan that I would make 12 of these brooches, then as a base - a place to keep/display them, I would fashion some sort of felted flower pot on fabric so each would have its own place when not being worn - I have not completely worked through that idea so am not sure yet what will be in a year as I finish up my last flower. I have lots to learn about felting and sewing before I see that vision come to life.
26 comments:
Fabulous idea! Especially like the final assemblage/storage, whatever it turns out to be...
This is so perfectly done, even the backing is perfectly placed and stitched. It's truly lovely, and I'm sure you will get a lot of questions and compliments when you wear it.
Gorgeous! I love that she is wearing a flower. I have often thought about incorporating an artistic display for some jewelry pieces I make so it can be enjoyed even when not being worn. Kind of a "twofer"...you get wall art and something wearable all in one. I've never executed this idea as there are never enough hours in the day. I am excited to see what you come up with though!
i love the flower idea. everything about it is just perfect...the stitching, the beads, the color, the face...it's all very beautiful.
I love this! Like Barbara said, perfectly done and so beautifully stitched. What a great idea to make wearable pieces.
I LOVE that face -- and your idea for monochromatic!
You're right up to par, Grace!!! This is so lovely. You could have made each of the petals identical... That they are different is more in keeping with nature and makes it infinitely more fun to look at it, especially since it is monochromatic. I LOVE your idea of a flower pot to hold your 12 pins at the end of the year!!!! One reminder, your pieces do not have to be exactly the same size, so you don't have to do the same flower shape each month unless you want to. I'm so pleased to see you here again this year and look forward to a monthly flower treat!!! Hugs, Robin A.
Absolutely stunning! What a great idea—I've made some pins, but nothing as good as this. Can't wait to see the rest of the year.
Beautifully made! I love the simple but elegant look to it - the face is gorgeous. BTW - Love your whole blog!
How very pretty! I love the face and how elegant the overall effect of this piece is. BTW - Love your whole blog!
Wonderful idea, Grace! We must all be thinking alike this year because I have been considering monochromatic schemes, too .. .
Kathy V in NM
Just lovely, Grace, so peaceful to look at. I also like what you did with the 2008-09 project - reminds me of Cindy's mysterious piece on Bead Art - did you participate in that?
Susan
Hi Grace,
Glad to see you in BJP again this year. Love your pin. But then, all your pins are gorgeous! Lucky me, to have one of my very own.
I love pins and your piece is beautiful.And your color scheme is great for January.
It's beautiful! I really like the ideas of pins that can be worn as well as displayed.
Marty S
Crackpot Beader
It's terrific Grace. I thought of doing pins but ended up not. Thought of doing ornaments for a tree but ended up not. Therefore I haven't even started. Not a good sign. But, I have finally decided to do a small piece to place in a window of a journal. So I even have fabric chosen and shape drawn now!
I didn't find doing monochrome boring as it's a challenge to use textures and find enough of one color to make the object. I hope you enjoy the series. It will be terrific.
Beautiful start, Grace, and your vision for the end is lovely, I can see your flower pot in my mind's eye. I am also focusing on monochromatic schemes this year, and I don't find it boring, either. Gale in Vancouver.
She's gorgeous! I agree with Robin about the petals not being perfectly identical to each other. I also love the idea of a flower pot of some kind to hold them all at the end of the year. Hope you can get that worked out!
She looks like a snowflake flower, all white and crystally. Gorgeous work!
Lily is beautiful! can't wait to see the rest of the BJP year.
Another work of art! I'm especially glad to see the back too, as I often wonder how pieces are finished.
This will be a fun garden to watch taking seed and I love the flowerpot resting spot idea too. Very inspiring!
:D So do love her! Will they be all girl flowers? I can't wait to see the personality in each month.
Oh Grace, this is just lovely!! And I find that it really feels like January. I have memories of January from when I lived in Connecticut - sun shining on new-fallen snow, branches covered with crystal ice - your piece brings all that to mind.
hi grace
what a beauty! and i love your idea of monochromatic and doing all flowers with a pot!
can't wait to watch your progress
you clever and talented girl you :D
x's & o's
You are so creative...you always come up with something fabulous!
I should sign up for this year...I miss working on my beading on a regular basis.
I love the idea of flower brooches and beading. I think exploring monochromatic schemes would be fun and I don't think you'll get board at all. I especially love the flower pot idea...to be displayed and used. And, you can do the felted flower pot Grace...it's fun and easy! Lily is beautiful! Will be fun to see the bouquet of flowers come to life!
P.S. I've been meaning to shoot you a quick note and say hi. I've been busy beading and living, but I've sure been thinking of you! ;-)
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