Karen Williams wrote a book called Explorations in Freeform Peyote Beading. She had a blog book tour highlighting the artists that were in her book. She also hosted a giveaway.
My brother stopped by
Cynthia's blog the day of her leg of the blog book tour. Through Cynthia's blog, he found Karen's blog and left a comment, not realizing it was a blog book tour or a giveaway. Long story short ~ he won one of the prizes! I thought to myself, "Well, I know what he will be sending me for my birthday! YAY!"...because what else is he going to do with beads?! Sweet fella he is, he didn't make me wait and sent me the goodie package a couple weeks ago! The photo of the winnings should go here...but I forgot to take one. But before I show you what I did with Karen's beads, I have to tell you that I have been a winner twice before when Karen had a giveaway. The one time, like my brother, I didn't even know I was entering a drawing! And to win by association now really lit my fire to try something I have been pondering for twentysomething years now...with a freeform kicker. To say it turned out like I imagined would be a lie. But with freeform, that is just the way it goes!
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| ALL the beads in the amulet came from the winnings. I added none of my own to the amulet. It was a beautiful mix of purples and whites. Gemstones, seed beads, and crystals. |
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| The chain is made with beads from my own stash. Various glass beads with shells and flower designs, frosted white seed beads, and crystal AB peanut beads. I did add the rock to the amulet bag too. It is from my Manhattan Schist collection from Monmouth Beach, NJ. |
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| To say that this is difficult to photograph is an understatement! |
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| When I set out to make am amulet bag, I intended on putting a beaded flap and button over the front. With it's asymmetry, this didn't seem to need it. |
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Backside...which could be used as the front too!
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I do not have new book Karen wrote...yet. I do have her original Freeform Peyote Beading book, though. I did get to see Cynthia's copy of the new book and holy-all-that-is-good-in-beading is it deliciously BEAUTIFUL!
Thank You Doug, Thank You Karen. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Next week I will show you what I made with most of the remaining beads!
10 comments:
The first time I ventured into a bead store, I saw a loomed amulet bag and have wanted to make one ever since. What a great idea of weaving one in freeform! Love that you've created such a lovely shape with either side facing out...and in season-spanning colors. I hope you're wearing it right now...it's much too pretty to spend one minute tucked away in a drawer!
Hoooray! You've done freeform! It's one of my favorite kinds of beadweaving. I love your amulet. The colors are fabulous and I love the necklace.
It's the first day of spring!!! It's snowing!!!
Hi Christine,
Congratulation on being the recipient of your brother's winnings. I love the amulet bag it is beautiful and meaningful as well. I noticed the rock in the first photo and I thought how appropriate. I love the look of freeform, but it is too difficult for my structured brain to grasp, I get so far and call it done, because I hit the wall of my box and unable to jump over the wall to true freedom of creativity.
Therese
Totally amazing and beautiful! Thanks for sharing the story, too ... your bro did good!
I love your amulet bag! It seems a perfect project for freeform. I can't remember ever seeing a freeform bag, all the ones I remember seeing are very pattern intense loomed type things. I really enjoy the flow. I see bits of the journey, the surprises in life. I love LOVE the large beaded "fringe". The piece looks carefree and happy to me :D
that was the giggle of the season this year ... Doug unknowingly putting in multiple entries! and then winning because a Van Dyke should (almost) always win a give away from Karen - LOL! I'm glad I saw it!
And you're right. Karen's book is truly amazing. She out did herself with this one .... it full of gorgeous projects and instruction. It was awe-inspiring to see her work on it over the course of the year. So organized and self motivated. True inspiration!
Now for that wonderful AMULET bag! you made an amulet bag!! I love that it has it's own path and sway to it which is the perfect home for your rock. And you can switch up your rocks when you want to show off a new find :) brilliant! Really love this piece Christine it is an organic, ombre-hombre rock pouch of gorgeousness - bean on my friend, bead on!
How cool! You make freeform look wonderful!
I haven't had time to visit friends' blogs in what seems like ages, but promised myself that this morning I'd make the time. Imagine my surprise to see my name at the very top of the first blog I visit!
You have made such wonderful use of the beads! Your amulet bag is truly beautiful. I still shake my head a little that out of over a hundred entries, Random.org chose your brother's number (and he had only entered once - on Cynthia's blog). Random.org really loves your family! :)
Out of curiosity, did your brother also send the lampworked Waterdrop beads by JJ Jacobs? Or did he keep those for later?
Stunning beadwork. I love the overall unique shape of the amulet. The dangling beads add such a prettiness.
Very cool! Glad I could be a part of the Cosmic Coincidence; it' been fun!
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