World of Beads VIII

The exhibit World of Beads VIII: A 20 Year Retrospective held by
The Bead Society of Greater New York on June, 19-21, had a great success. This three-day juried exhibit featured the unique beadwork of The Bead Society of Greater New York (BSGNY) creative and talented members spanning the 20 years of the organization's existence.


Yoshi Marubashi, Leah Becker, Evelyn Letfuss, Nina Libin, Linda Rettich, Marsha Davis, Masami Sato, Ruth Oisteanu, I listed just a few from many artists whose artwork attracted common attention. All artists brought the excitement, passion and beauty of this timeless art form to the public. Beadwork demonstrations and free workshops were presented throughout the event, other activities included bead vendors, sale of bead books, raffles and a children's table. Congratulations and Bravo to all BSGNY members!

Pictures from the World of Beads VIII

2009 Bead Dreams. Christmas Eve

Necklace Christmas Eve, the finalist of the 2009 Bead Dreams contest and exhibit. I made the base of the necklace using netting stitch of my own design, I used for that vintage Italian bugle beads and seed beads. All elements were made separately: golden three-dimensional flowers with red petals in the center, and golden fringes with red beads and Swarovski crystals. I decided not to create a special clasp for the necklace, I used two ribbons of matching gold and red colors to add some more festive accent.


Here is a closeup of Christmas Eve. Materials: Toho seed beads 11/0, Delica seed beads 11/0 and 15/0; vintage Italian bugle beads size 2, Swarovski crystals, pearls size 3 and 5, ribbons. Techniques: peyote, netting, coral, right angle weave stitches, embroidery.

That's my second Bead Dreams final in a row, I'm so excited and happy!

Bead Dreams 2009 finalist!

 
Again WoooHooooooo!

On April, 23rd I received a notification from B&B that my Christmas Eve Necklace made the final of Bead Dreams 2009 and will be exhibited at the Bead&Button Show that will take place on May 31 - June 7, Midwest Airlines Center, Milwaukee, WI.

This year in addition to the Bead Dreams and Convergence exhibition there will be two displays displays from Japan. The first one is an exhibit of 10-to-15 top award-winning pieces from the beadwork and jewelry contest held at the Hakone Open-Air Museum. The exhibit will include pieces that have won Awards of Encouragement.

Moreover, TOHO Beads and TOHO distributors are exhibiting a portion of the "Treasures of TOHO Emerging Artist Competition." The contest aims to cultivate new artists who produce artistic designs using TOHO beads. This is the first time a portion of the "Treasures of TOHO" will be showcased at the Bead&Button Show.

Don't miss Bead&Button Show, the largest jewelry and bead show in the world!

Celebrating Beads, the journey of... Pictures

At last! A week ago I had a chance to go to the Bead Museum in Washington, DC and to see all winner items of the Celebrating Beads, the journey of... contest. I tried to make some pictures but it was pretty hard using my old camera.


All items were in cases, and the light in the room wasn't bright, so I had to use flash on my camera, that's why the pictures are of such quality... Anyway, my husband and I enjoyed watching all amazing works live! I'd like to congratulate the winners, the finalists and the participants of the Celebrating Beads contest, I know many of them, and to wish them all best of luck!


Slide show: Celebrating Beads Winner Items

Process pics. Poppy Field

The story of the Poppy Field necklace began a few months ago. I wanted to create something springy/summery and bright, even hot. I had a dream to design a collection with beaded flowers, I love poppies and decided to start with beaded poppies. I didn't have the exact plan of my design, I was just thinking on my future creature, and started making poppy petals and putting them together. At that time I didn't have any idea how many of them I would need.


Then I created a lot of green leaves of different shades.


First of all, I decided to check out my color combinations and some design decisions on a bracelet. I woven a base from bugle beads using peyote stitch, and embroidered it with a poppy flower, leaves, small light green teardrop beads, and accent beads.


Next day the bracelet was sold out and a friend of mine asked me to create for her matching earrings and a small necklace with "poppy field" centerpiece, that I created keeping in my mind the bracelet design, just adding fringes made using coral technique.


I had almost all elements of my future necklace ready to put together, but I decided to add poppy buds, and I made them wrapping some of the petals. Here is the full slide show of creating my necklace:

Poppy Field