In case you miss me while I'm on holiday in Prague & London, here's a sneak peek at my mobile blog. I hope you'll check back to see where I've been... To see larger photos, click the link on the widget. Leave many comments, and I'll see you when I return... :D
Two years of blogging is hard work! I need a vacation! So, today, I'm headed to Prague, Czech Republic. Prague, or Praha, is a city I've always wanted to visit ever since I saw that INXS video. And, when I heard they made beads there, I knew I had to go.... So, all day yesterday, I did a little preparing for my trip. One thing I was thinking about was bringing some beadwork with me to do on the flight or in the hotel. I have packed beads to go before, but usually only on road trips. I read Jean Campbell's Tips For Beading on Vacation, and was amazed at all the different ideas people had. I'm actually amazed at how many people bring beadwork to do on vacation. It seems there's so much sightseeing to do and beer to drink - when would there ever be time??
I thought about this, then I remembered Celticat. I thought, if she can make beaded dolls on the NYC subway, I can try this, too! I'm going to be away for 3 weeks, and that's a long time to go without doing any beadwork. I can't bring my beaded Boston trolley on the flight. At 19" x 7", it is way too big for traveling, not to mention, it would get crushed in my luggage...
Then, I thought maybe I could start working on another part of the piece. So, I cut out some blue and gray felt. I glued the gray felt pieces in place with some Elmer's.
The gray felt will be seen through the windows of the train. I'm not sure I like it yet, but truthfully, I'm skeptical about every idea I have... Also, it will be tough to do this beadwork without the trolley to compare it to. So, this could get interesting. If I get the chance to do any beadwork at all, I'm praying that a little beading magic will happen... :0
After I prepared my felt, I packed my pencil box to go. My travel box is lined with felt so my beads don't bounce around. Inside, there are seed beads, beading needles, Nymo thread, Thread Heaven, and nail clippers to cut the thread. I think I have everything! Now, I just hope it fits in my carry-on! I will miss everyone, but I hope to return with new inspiration, many photos, and lots of beads! Also, if you'd like to see some of the sights with me while I'm away, please visit my mobile blog... See you soon! :D
It amazes me how fast time goes by! Two years ago on this day, I wrote my first blog post- 590 posts ago! Today is my 2nd blogaversary! So to celebrate, here's a quick glimpse into the history of The Lone Beader. Each of the images below are documented works of beaded art in progress. I chose pics from blog posts over the last year that I thought were the most important, as well as the most fun. I feel that these are some of the posts that have really helped me develop my own artistic style. Click the pic to flash back to the original web page, and to see my finished bead-paintings, please visit thelonebeader.com. Thank you for your interest in my beadwork:)
(Semi-beaded Boston Green Line trolley car. 19" x 7". Work in progress.)
Can you believe I'm still working on the same section of this beaded trolley?? I wanted to be done with this yesterday, but no such luck. I guess my mind works faster than my beading needle does...
Anyways, here's one for all you MITMathematics majors out there. I'm stitching 5 white seed beads at a time. When strung, five Czech seed beads measure approx. 0.25"... I've already stitched approx. 9 horizontal rows at 16" apiece, and 45 vertical rows (in between the windows) at 1" apiece, and 21 vertical rows at 1.25" apiece. The empty space I need to finish beading measures approx. 14" long by 3/8" at the center (please refer to the photo). Calculate that, then tell me how many white seed beads I will have stitched by the time I am finished with this section of my beaded trolley car... And, if you happen to get thatright, I believe there will be a keg with your name on it somewhere in the dorm later tonight... ;)
(No cheating, and I don't want to see any smoke coming out of your adding machines, either...LOL)
A few days ago, singer-songwriter/authorJen Trynin, wrote me a note. She complimented me by saying she checked out my beadwork - and she's not the least into beads!
Yesterday afternoon, I looked at my blog stats, and realized that a significant number of people were viewing one of my posts directly from their email inbox. I wasn't sure why this was until I received a message from a Myspace friend. Turns out, my psychedelic blue beaded bus, The End, was featured on Interweave Press' Beading Daily blog! Editor Michelle Mach wrote a post entitled "Music to Bead By". Approx. 500 people who read the article clicked the link to see my finished blue British bus. I do believe that this is a record number of hits for me in one day!! If you missed this, click to the screen shot below to view the article, then think about how music inspires your creativity. :D
You must know by now that everything I do/create is heavily inspired by music. I used to be a musician, and I studied it at a well-known jazz school here in Boston. I discovered that I enjoy listening to music much more than I enjoy playing it, so I studied recording while working in a theatre for a living. I also interned at a local radio station for a short time, because secretly, I've always wanted to be a radio disc jockey. But, time goes by and things change, and now here I am creating visual art! Who would have thought! :D
All of those past experiences (as well as my love for classic MTV) play a major role in my art today. Sure, I love to listen to music while I'm beading, but I am also constantly searching for new songs, pop images, and subjects to mention in my blog posts - much the same way Andy Warhol collected magazine clippings of celebrities. But, the difference is, I don't idolize rock stars and celebrities like Andy did. I merely look at them like regular people. Somehow I feel connected to them, and I like to visualize them in my pieces.
Last week, I discussed my blogging style with someone from a local art gallery. He commented that what I do is a very unique way of creating art. Instead of creating one piece, then showing it, I am showing many different ideas for one piece. And, it's almost like my blog art and bead art are becoming one...I think this is true and I'm sure somehow, The End is only the beginning...
This Second Saturday Reception opens tonight at 6pm PST and it is free to attend. There will be all kinds of fun happening including a fashion show, music, and live demonstrations of sewing techniques. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will also be served. (Please check Evie Turner's blog for the complete run-down of events.) A limited number of my original bead-paintings will be available for sale, and artwork will be on display through May 7th. If you happen to be in the area, please stop by and check it out! :D
One thing I've learned is that it's not easy to do bead embroidery on clear vinyl. Vinyl is kind of a flimsy material, so it's tough to stitch the seed beads in a straight line. Also, precise needlework is necessary to make sure you don't end up with a million tiny holes in the vinyl when you are finished. And, even though it is clear vinyl, you will still manage to stab yourself in the finger once or twice while beading. :o
(click images to enlarge)
It's a slow process but, it's all good. My beaded Boston trolley is finally starting to take shape. :D
Today I am very excited to announce the opening of Dimensions 2008, a national juried fine art competition & exhibition. One of my largest bead-paintings, History Repeated, will be exhibited at this show. Dimensions 2008 is a national juried fine art competition & exhibition which is presented by the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem. This show was established in 1964 to 'showcase outstanding visual art in two- or three- dimensional media'. It takes place at the gallery starting tonight, April 10, and it runs through May 23, 2008. If you happen to be in the area during this time, please stop by! Thank you for your interest in my beadwork. :D
View Larger Map Dimensions 2008 Associated Artists of Winston-Salem 301 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 5:00pm - May 23,2008.
Today, I really do have to ride the Green Line. Unfortunately, I ran out of the matte green seed beads I was using to bead the rear door of my trolley. I remember I got that particular colour at Beadworks on Newbury St. So, I'm headed to Arlington Station, but that's a long ways away! We're only at Boston University! And, the train is packed! Full of Red Sox fans!
Ah well... Soon, everyone will get off the train at Kenmore Sq. And, since I don't have a ticket, I'll have to watch the baseball game at the pub. But, first, I'm goin' bead shopping... :D
Here are the rules: 1) Write your own six word memoir. 2) Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like. 3) Link to the person that tagged you in your post, and to the original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4) Tag at least five more blogs with links. 5) Don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play. 6) Have fun!!
Now, I've got some beading to do... :D (P.S. Don't forget to check out My Official Facebook Group. Lata!)
Last week, I did a little online shopping, so yesterday, I received a couple of packages in the mail. One from CafePress, and one from MOO in the UK:
First, I opened the one from CafePress. I was happy to see everything I ordered - a Triumph of Death tank top and two t-shirts, a Rudy's Dream tote bag, and postcards to match! All of these items feature my own beaded images taken from past pieces I've created. For those of you who have never ordered from CafePress, I will say that they carry quality merchandise. The t-shirts are super soft, and the custom images that they print come out looking great! I ordered some of these items for family and friends overseas. I also got the postcards for myself. They are good to have to send to customers/art galleries as a thank you.
If you like any of the unique items you see above, you can order them at the Lone Beader's Boutique:) They will definitely attract attention! :D
Next, I opened the package from the United Kingdom. I ordered 2 boxes of MOO cards, and I LOVE them! If you missed my previous post, these are mini business cards, and they are fabulous! After seeing these, there will be no more printing out my own cards at home, I'll tell you that. The paper is very thick and glossy, like a playing card - only thicker! And, the image quality is superb. I highly recommend these for any occasion. Each of my images will be available for a limited time only. Get one while you can! :D
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