And now there are 8 ...
February's collection - month two of my '52 weeks : bead sketches' project - is finished.
More playing relentlessly,
more diving deep,
more showing up faithfully.
I also did a lot of wondering about why I haven't imposed
a project like this on myself before. In truth I suppose because the time is NOW
and I wasn't where I needed to be to take this on before now.
Just showing up to do the work has great benefits.
I'll write more on that subject later as thoughts solidify, but for now
I've an amazing sense of freedom with this work / play
that I've never,
ever
had before.
There's surely a lesson in this approach for me
although I can't put it all into words yet.
For this month I thought it might be of interest if I noted where
my inspiration, or word prompts, or weekly idea came from.
They are written below each photograph with links.
~ bugle bead inspiration arose from HERE ~
~ exploring some thoughts about THIS ~
~ describing in materials the meaning of THIS PHRASE ~
~ experimenting with the pattern of THESE ~
Feels so good to be back with my beads.
: : :
Postscript: A few hours after I published this post I came across some
excellent words that seem to fit right in so I've come back to note them.
You don’t need more motivation or inspiration to create the life you want. You need less shame around the idea that you’re not doing your best. You need to stop listening to people who are in vastly different life circumstances and life stages than you tell you that you’re just not doing or being enough. You need to let timing do what it needs to do. You need to see lessons where you see barriers. You need to understand that what’s
right now becomes inspiration later.
by Jamie Varon, from 'To Anyone Who Thinks They're Falling Behind'
: : :
To view all of the 52 weeks : bead sketches posts, starting with the most recent,
So much to ponder here! Is this the order you did them in? (Concentric rings last). A deep thoughtful story...🙏🌸⭐️
ReplyDeleteNope, not at all: the order made was bugle bead inspiration first, then the rusty bolt, then concentric rings, the pathway last. It hasn't seemed relevant to photograph them in order of making [so far anyway], only in groups by month. Another unexplained notion of this process ;>))
DeleteLove seeing where your inspiration comes from. Your work is as varied as the inspiration itself...and amazingly beautiful. Since I am not a bead worker...I ponder the very technique of how you accomplish these little creations!
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy, thank you. I guess it's like learning any new language - practice, practice, repeat, repeat - and then it becomes something similar to bike riding ... easier to get back on and ride off even if one hasn't ridden for years. Still, I do notice my hands get *rusty* whenever I'm a long time away [like now]. So keeping them well-oiled with extra fish oil ;>)
Deletechristi you are really a bead girl , all done in a very interesting way , about poetry i read it , but i think i do it in another way , i have all the time to think in two language
ReplyDeleteThat is me, Bodil - bead girl - definitely. And I really appreciate that you think in two languages, so thank you, thank you for always practicing English and for always commenting.
Deleteentre le brillant et le mat... entre la couture et la peinture.. c'est beau et il ne faut pas choisir...
ReplyDeleteMélange des matières est une joie .... merci beaucoup, Elfi !
DeleteI missed the beginning of this project but am so glad that I've caught up. I have to make some huge changes in my creative being and this is possibly giving me the help I need to make those changes. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's lovely, Maggi. I hope you accomplish what you need to & take good care of that part of yourself.
DeleteEXCELLENT
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. Heh, and thanks for popping in over here!
Deletethat bit of reading about the rings beautifully supplements/clarifies my daily practice of "tossing a stone in the mindpond" and has given me much food for thought.
ReplyDeletethank you.
there's a sense of homecoming in your beadwork, i think?
Oh my, indi, and *coming home* is what I needed so badly [altho I don't think I fully realized how much].
DeleteI will go back & read about the concentric circles with thoughts of your "mindpond" because I found that exercise in Newburgh extremely useful & rewarding start to our days. I haven't done it here at home, but thinking now maybe I should.
Dear Christi
ReplyDeleteI am so glad we are acquainted. At first I typed "know" you..I wish I knew more of you.
The first click surprised me by not being an "earthy" inspiration. A reminder to me that inspiration comes from the most unexpected place sometimes.
The second was no surprise, the poem depicted well by your art. Thank you for the link, too.
And who would think to stitch their thoughts on that phrase that is so often used, especially in today's political arena?
Perfect marriage of bead and stitch and dyed fabric.
Thank you for continuing to blog. It fulfills my need to know.
Much love, Carol
Not sure how to respond to your kindness, Carol, except to say I'm so grateful we have this history together. I'm very touched by your sweet words and all the sentiments behind them. Many, many thanks for writing them here. It is a great pleasure to "know" you ;>))
DeleteOh, and as I am typing I am blessed with the sight of the beautiful Miss Isla. Thank you for that as well.
ReplyDeletexx
xo
DeleteThis is what I love -- I love it that you don't have a 'theme' beforehand but just let yourself create from nothing into beauty. I love it that its all extemporaneous (big word huh?). I'm trying to do more of that myself these days and it isn't always easy. These Sometimes 'letting go' is more difficult than having a plan. These are all lovely both individually and together. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFor some unknown reason I'm a better sailor without a plan. Which of course, would get me into mighty deep trouble out there on the open seas! But in beadland, it's exciting without the life risk, HA, and I fare much better when I'm just following my instincts.
DeleteBut you are right: 'letting go' can be difficult and calls up trust issues ... trust in the process, trust in yourself. And some *diving* practice ;>)
stunning creations with beads. that last paragraph says it all....doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThat paragraph could not have appeared on my monitor at a better time. Pleased it struck a chord with you. Thank you, deanna.
DeleteThese are beautiful. I have been wanting to commit to a schedule. "Playing with parameters" The quotes and poetry you post inspire. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will find the way in whichever direction you need to go!
DeleteThank you, meuli.
as you know, I've long been a strong supporter of challenges. whether collaboratively, singularly or learning something new. this last class has really cemented the need to "show up". for myself. for my work. sometimes it works and is easy. other times it is hard and cranky. but showing up IS the work. the rest? gravy (or beads. as the case may be!)
ReplyDeleteYou've put a new spin on the term "bead soup" Jen .... 'bead gravy,' I like it.
DeleteShowing up is AT LEAST 50% - perhaps even as much as 75% - of the road to accomplishing these acts of getting whatever's in my head out to my hands and onto some cloth. We are walking parallels now, me thinks ;>) Gonna be an interesting year xo.
I discovered your blog just a few days ago and absolutely love it! This is a wonderful project and I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts about "showing up" in the future. I believe I can feel the freedom you experienced while making them when looking at the photographs!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, there's gonna be so much added fun having traveling companions along ..... thanks, Lisa, very pleased to "meet" you. Your blog is lovely!
DeleteEven thou I not a bead girl, your beads are like gems of the earth.....beautiful texture and colours.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your inspiration and thank you so much for Jamie Varon's words....I really need to let those words sink in and take heed of them.
You are so welcome, Jenny, thank you.
DeleteSweetpea...those beads are so so so lovely! I am happy to have found your blog. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteWelcome over here, Susan, pleased to "meet" you, thanks much.
DeleteI'm happy to see you are beading again, Christy. As always, it is amazing how diverse and interesting your sources of inspiration are. I love the threads of reading provided in your links, especially the tracking series. Did you try the quizzes?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robin. Nope, I must have missed seeing those quizzes - will go back and look .....
DeleteLove your ideas about showing up, and about recognizing our own time line. x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judy.
DeleteWow, these are amazing bead collages. I love the thoughtful play of the beads and fabric. This are truly little works of art.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Heather, I've been having great fun with them. So much inspiration to be gleaned from your blog and all the glorious bead-makers you feature!
DeleteYour bead sketches are absolutely gorgeous, and I love seeing the inspiration for them.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased you stopped by, Ann - many thanks for the kind words.
DeleteWhat a fun idea! I love that you have given yourself permission to just play and experiment!
ReplyDelete