tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13348042920750993122024-03-06T09:49:53.207+11:00daxdesigns bead artUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-42704882304025228152015-08-02T15:52:00.002+10:002015-08-02T15:52:51.859+10:00See us on Facebook for the latest newsIn a sign of the times my blogging appears to be have been transmuted into Facebooking - so for the latest news on what is happening for Dax Bead Art please pop by our Facebook book page - Dax Bead Art.<br />
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We'll let you know when blogging recommences. Here are some of the latest blooms from the hot glass area of the studio.<br />
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Happy beading<br />
Glenda<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dUq5FNmuEx3q-WbFBrkoUMzavJov3MP-M2nxMoOdCJiI-_z2Bto1HMAlT74ca9auxhKbkXEQIdUtM9oFDFZZWDuLxv1JJu_9hauA_xR5qOQ7AZR0qUaVowxScVSjPhDcSPPsG_IH2dV3/s1600/Orange+blooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dUq5FNmuEx3q-WbFBrkoUMzavJov3MP-M2nxMoOdCJiI-_z2Bto1HMAlT74ca9auxhKbkXEQIdUtM9oFDFZZWDuLxv1JJu_9hauA_xR5qOQ7AZR0qUaVowxScVSjPhDcSPPsG_IH2dV3/s320/Orange+blooms.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-11948699387425770002014-04-08T19:06:00.001+10:002014-04-08T19:06:27.706+10:00New beading challenge competition - can you bead a purple pom pom?New beading challenge competition - some great prizes - and all for a good cause - preventing violence against women and promoting women's rights. Are you up to beading a purple pom pom? <br /><br />Details at <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/reclaimthenightgeelong/news-and-events/purple-pom-pom-beading-challenge">https://sites.google.com/site/reclaimthenightgeelong/news-and-events/purple-pom-pom-beading-challenge</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pyrEpPeIWL3PZFWZrP402CJxAZGAOqBBF5caKeToyIGijMas6psHOmziDaFjEhsnm03RkfqXGtO5mc5VHyhWfY5qaR5oIRj-5M0SKvJr2sKEMr8u4vjaoalOxyyXnZCJk45JRI-XMHMg/s1600/Purplepompombeadingcompetition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pyrEpPeIWL3PZFWZrP402CJxAZGAOqBBF5caKeToyIGijMas6psHOmziDaFjEhsnm03RkfqXGtO5mc5VHyhWfY5qaR5oIRj-5M0SKvJr2sKEMr8u4vjaoalOxyyXnZCJk45JRI-XMHMg/s1600/Purplepompombeadingcompetition.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-83435528346364883992014-03-20T16:06:00.000+11:002014-03-20T16:06:30.358+11:00Beyond geometry in design – inspiration and spirit in the irregular
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There is something that often draws me often to the
geometric in my beadwork. I have played with the possibilities of triangles,
diamonds, polygons, hedrons and more. So, it is with some surprise that I am
finding such pleasure in creating non-geometric cabochons at present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can see, they have irregular contours
and not a straight edge in sight.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-9Pxs5gdRIlrVkMNGn6yGgrVcVkU_DM73s0gBDhb7vIS_jiYnpK1n6z4rd9bOvKMFCHxy8phlkTjgVEOWLysobwx7M8QwAFERNQJODbeRRCmCgADMdogi0aQYBj9cWDT4jljHISGXsWa/s1600/Galactica2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-9Pxs5gdRIlrVkMNGn6yGgrVcVkU_DM73s0gBDhb7vIS_jiYnpK1n6z4rd9bOvKMFCHxy8phlkTjgVEOWLysobwx7M8QwAFERNQJODbeRRCmCgADMdogi0aQYBj9cWDT4jljHISGXsWa/s1600/Galactica2.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
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My organic ‘Galactica’ cabs bring to my mind things beyond
this galaxy but also bring me greater degrees of freedom in playing with glass
at the torch. I can relax into ‘going with the flow’ more and ask ‘what
if?’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mO85npfeKbJ8pNAAEmMCa6KL0yJChkl9u3DMhqU1Ao8hDTwYgRyqLBDFwu2A9-CY4jDaSqveoz38Qr7pyeFGxsOS_5CbeSfp6NuZ1vycQgwhw-Cu8YKOL_Ood7hhIA4GffzyXxDrtPKE/s1600/galatica+cabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mO85npfeKbJ8pNAAEmMCa6KL0yJChkl9u3DMhqU1Ao8hDTwYgRyqLBDFwu2A9-CY4jDaSqveoz38Qr7pyeFGxsOS_5CbeSfp6NuZ1vycQgwhw-Cu8YKOL_Ood7hhIA4GffzyXxDrtPKE/s1600/galatica+cabs.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
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My play with non-geometry has also taken me exploring how
other designers play with contour and the irregular. </div>
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This is a great short film on how to do this in architecture
that I’m keen to apply to bead embroidery design in my advance bead embroidery
class coming up soon:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwJB7KzDEbQ</div>
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Then, imagine these architectural forms in jewellery. Not quite
skilled enough at the torch to produce them as cabs… yet!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/taniaknudsen/crazy-organic-forms-in-architecture-design-interio/">http://www.pinterest.com/taniaknudsen/crazy-organic-forms-in-architecture-design-interio/</a></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
And,
if you want to read about it try piece by Gantz this written in 1977 but with
great challenges to us in our designs today<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>asking many questions. One I loved, ‘How can we prefer square, flat
walled rooms to the beautiful shapes of caves or the arch of the sky?’ (p. 11).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
I
am also drawn to muse on what his comment about organic design in natural forms
might mean to me as a designer:</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It would also follow that there are no straight lines, planes, or
perfect geometric figures. The concrete element does not allow the equal
repetitions necessary for the production of these forms. These inequalities are
not imperfections to be ironed out. They are not errors or accidents, rather
they are substance (p. 12). </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
You
can read more from Gantz here:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <a href="http://www.ganzartwork.com/documents/OrganicDesignfinalsall" target="_blank">
</a></span></span></span><a href="http://www.ganzartwork.com/documents/OrganicDesignfinalsall" target="_blank">http://www.ganzartwork.com/documents/OrganicDesignfinalsall.pdf </a></div>
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Whilst it may seem I have forgotten all about beadwork, feast
your eyes on the jewellery design possibilities of the organic with these links:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><a href="http://cheryleve.com/section/104362_Hidden_in_Nature.html">http://cheryleve.com/section/104362_Hidden_in_Nature.html</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/nervoussystem">https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/nervoussystem</a>?</div>
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Do your retreat from the irregular? Or, are you inspired by
it? Does randomness make the spirit hum or sink? Are you ready to play with
organic? What would you do with one of my cabs? </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-48426327883583788912014-03-14T12:34:00.001+11:002014-03-14T12:34:50.422+11:00Cabochons, heads, domes and nails – what takes your beading fancy?
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s been a while but I have the blogging muse again and
some determination to make some time for it. As some of you may know I’ve begun
making my own lampwork glass cabochons fuelled by my recent enjoyment in
returning to bead embroidery. </span></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRsK1tTYpp4CfyrkIES7cJYV3l1F39gsa66AtVIMBRmqveCovFDk19CqH_aQxVCK1vLkf_3l2O3w7EFozGUqOb3nuKsEZNbZsLsYk-e3Xyu1rF3ZcvULH-Zu5mpNCe1PE9oeVu_G6GgNK/s1600/bluecab1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRsK1tTYpp4CfyrkIES7cJYV3l1F39gsa66AtVIMBRmqveCovFDk19CqH_aQxVCK1vLkf_3l2O3w7EFozGUqOb3nuKsEZNbZsLsYk-e3Xyu1rF3ZcvULH-Zu5mpNCe1PE9oeVu_G6GgNK/s1600/bluecab1.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seascape lampwork cabochon, Glenda Mac Naughton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cabochon is such an arcane word that sharing my current
creative explorations in making them with others has led to some puzzling conversations.
One such conversation recently went a little like this:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Are you getting time to do
some glasswork now the Festival of Glass is over?</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, it’s terrific and I’ve started playing with making my
own cabochons?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh (accompanied by a puzzled
expression) – are they a special type of bead?</span></i></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyxWYem4I4f1jpDVRsBxXHet8M2_rE9q7HqYXjU5uGb2IqIkpr-FCV6NeYDGaSi2yLHHDW9IODQJ93HL_X-o53gkp_XLFk-iXntMqryJNww9X3oMvSnd27Qj5v4Jr6KYvBj6R6vJp_d8Z/s1600/silveredblack3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyxWYem4I4f1jpDVRsBxXHet8M2_rE9q7HqYXjU5uGb2IqIkpr-FCV6NeYDGaSi2yLHHDW9IODQJ93HL_X-o53gkp_XLFk-iXntMqryJNww9X3oMvSnd27Qj5v4Jr6KYvBj6R6vJp_d8Z/s1600/silveredblack3.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos lampwork cabochon, Glenda Mac Naughton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, they don’t have holes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, how do you string them?</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It made me ponder where and how the word emerged and whether
there are better ways to describe what I’m doing to those not familiar with it.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAHoNxAiFln0SyTTDWBQRqOMkPdO8XplGTYgqo1tTooYap64ODod6n0G3bcEKVOEvJf2KvC7uxpr5uhLm45nply3-_Ixs380tZ-gjGqYTnfZzIWcMcR2KS73qstgLGtBewFJ97M5Rc4zH/s1600/ivoryandredturquoise3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAHoNxAiFln0SyTTDWBQRqOMkPdO8XplGTYgqo1tTooYap64ODod6n0G3bcEKVOEvJf2KvC7uxpr5uhLm45nply3-_Ixs380tZ-gjGqYTnfZzIWcMcR2KS73qstgLGtBewFJ97M5Rc4zH/s1600/ivoryandredturquoise3.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seascapes lampwork cabochon, Glenda Mac Naughton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I did know that the word derived from French but that was
the end of my knowledge. Google helped a little. I now know it derives from the
Middle French word ‘caboche’ which could variously means nail (with a head),
head, knob or small dome depending on which dictionary I consulted. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Explaining
I am making nail heads I think might lead to even more puzzling conversations
but perhaps talking about domes of glass could work… though strictly speaking not
all of my cabochon creations are domed. So,… more pondering to do? What do you
think? Do you have your own language for the flat-back ‘things’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the beadwork you create, buy or wear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can see more of my cabochons (domes) in my Etsy shop - <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/daxbeads" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/daxbeads <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUIRjKIgUJ_bS2srxqPGCQPFeVBHd0mNMqnbnbW7mgW1eFqh1qCkJM_3AoRpD-aofYWkFrlQSt96S5MP6Z2nh9dnXmRIE7eKfeNpE73VBvYiZFCgy1xeSIO9F55EsIFkS6lEBqYGpk-4B/s1600/galatica+cabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUIRjKIgUJ_bS2srxqPGCQPFeVBHd0mNMqnbnbW7mgW1eFqh1qCkJM_3AoRpD-aofYWkFrlQSt96S5MP6Z2nh9dnXmRIE7eKfeNpE73VBvYiZFCgy1xeSIO9F55EsIFkS6lEBqYGpk-4B/s1600/galatica+cabs.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galactica cabochons, Glenda Mac Naughton - domes?????</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</a></span></span></div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/daxbeads" target="_blank">
</a><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-60266769451999046042013-06-03T18:24:00.000+10:002013-06-03T18:24:08.974+10:00Findings about findings: a beader's creation and a beader's puzzle<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I was asked what a finding was by a non-jewellery
person. It seemed a simple question to answer – I made a list of all the things
I called findings and confidently said, ‘Findings are the bits and pieces of
metal that hold jewellery together – chain, clasps, links, bead caps, earring
bits, etc.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Ironically, I had just taken a photo of my latest creation
that had findings in abundance. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfHmZDQcphz9kuotcmophKmGb9RyxegZSjQJ1aOJYXHCxWHmcSTnlpWYdpZe3iURii7PrPKd5y4R7sShYhl2Cgn6SakhBGuWyI7X0zqghh3Iae72rIvKAHZWoqBqmbmFU_kw5nE_-aFWi/s1600/beadedbeadfindings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfHmZDQcphz9kuotcmophKmGb9RyxegZSjQJ1aOJYXHCxWHmcSTnlpWYdpZe3iURii7PrPKd5y4R7sShYhl2Cgn6SakhBGuWyI7X0zqghh3Iae72rIvKAHZWoqBqmbmFU_kw5nE_-aFWi/s400/beadedbeadfindings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I wondered – was I right? So, off to Google Search. Some
dictionaries define findings as the small tools and materials used by artisans
– not just jewellers. Others link them specifically to jewellers by defining
them as small parts used to join jewellery components together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Either way, it struck me what a strange word it was to apply
to a group of objects or to small tools and materials. I wondered - why are
findings called findings? Answering this ‘why?’ question was certainly trickier
than answering the ‘what’ question.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Deep amongst various definitions of findings possibilities
emerged. In legalese a synonym for ‘finding’ is a holding – could it be that
they all ‘hold’ things together. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finding in Olde English means to come upon, alight on and
there is some surmising that this come from a German would that means to go,
pass, path, bridge. Were they seen as bridges between components. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In an article trying to answer my question I found this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Every jeweler, his or
her apprentices, and /or journeymen and women had to be able to make all their
own components. Each project required the jeweler or apprentice to hammer out a
sheet of gold or silver and draw lengths of wire. Being cautious, they
generally hammered or drew a little more metal than was needed.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The leftover bits
would be set aside for later use on small projects or to modify an existing
piece of jewelry. These bits came to be called findings. They were used to make
eye pins, jump rings, or other small components. A small piece of wire could be
used to replace a missing earwire. A leftover piece of metal might be folded to
form a catch for a necklace. No scrap would be thrown away, even the filings
were kept, remelted, and used again. This practice remained common until
jewelers began to specialize.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<i>http://www.harlequinbeads.com/history-of-findings-articl</i>e<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I still didn’t feel I had my answer – still the question
‘why’ findings persisted. Another site focusing on the history of jewellery
surmised this”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The etymology is uncertain but it might relate
to the old use of the word "findan" to indicate things obtained
through research and study; in some cultures artisans would be given their
first set of professional tools as a recognition that they had learned their
trade.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">http://www.treasurology.com/more/findings.html<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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So, what do you think? What do you know? Can you help me grow my findings about findings? <o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-62013743643303272242013-05-16T13:36:00.002+10:002013-05-16T13:36:29.347+10:00A beading studio, teaching and a beading book in the makingIt's been a busy time lately organising my studio, teaching beading classes and this week proofing pages for my first publication in a beadwork book. (Photos of the studio coming next).<br />
<br />
I'm thrilled to be one of the guest designers in Jane Lock's fab new book <i>The Beader’s Handbook (UK)/The Art of Beadweaving (US)</i> due out in August/September 2013.<br />
<br />
My project Rosetta bracelet project will be included alongwith projects from Jane, Kerry Slade, Nancy Dale, Carol Dean Sharpe, Heather Collin. The graphic designer has done a fab job at making the diagrams really clear.<br />
<br />
Copies can be pre-ordered <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beaders-Handbook-Jane-Lock/dp/1844489647/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368549955&sr=1-1">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beaders-Handbook-Jane-Lock/dp/1844489647/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368549955&sr=1-1</a>"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuuBswmJTa8P9Hg-ubQg8-7JAdWQNZcp70-gC2JgKdh035os0fB6zabpQ4yaJl-vivr_gx1LX0isIegh7foxl6NAGwe_4YNw57p8WsdlDeW_R0TwOF2xW3twKEprFvH3E9aSeHKNnBH8W/s1600/51u5hwLeBKL._SX385_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuuBswmJTa8P9Hg-ubQg8-7JAdWQNZcp70-gC2JgKdh035os0fB6zabpQ4yaJl-vivr_gx1LX0isIegh7foxl6NAGwe_4YNw57p8WsdlDeW_R0TwOF2xW3twKEprFvH3E9aSeHKNnBH8W/s320/51u5hwLeBKL._SX385_.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-63890505327776096272013-03-11T13:33:00.001+11:002013-03-11T13:33:31.785+11:00Revisiting tips for reducing beaders' WIPs, UFOs and PhD <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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There must be something about this time of year - its just over 12 months ago I posted my tips for reducing a beader's UFOs (Unfinished objects) WIPs (Work in
Progress) or PHDs (Pieces Half Done) because they seemed to be multiplying apace. Well, its happened again and so its time for some concentrated time to reduce them. Here's my tips from last year's post and some reflections on what's working for me this year and what's not. <br />
<br />
<br />
From 2012... <br />
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<ol>
<li>Carry your UFOs in a special ‘tote’ whenever you go out to
places you might need to wait – for doctors, friends, etc. and take the
opportunity to spend 5 minutes on completing your project. <i>Well, its just too hot for this one to work right now. Five minutes in the car and the beads will be melting and the Fireline fusing... perhaps, this is tip best left to winter. </i></li>
<li>Promise yourself 5 mins a day on a project until its finished. <i>Okay, this is a good idea but with the size of my UFO pile it could take until next century!</i></li>
<li>Keep UFOs in their own separate container with all the beads,
thread, etc needed to complete it. You can then more readily work on it
when the desire takes you. <i>Yep, I've done this but I've found myself rifling through them and stealing beads for new projects!</i> J<i>ust a little counterproductive me thinks. </i></li>
<li>Pick four or five UFOs and work on them in a rotation system until
one is finished. Then add another to the rotation group (if you need
to). Rotating which UFOs you work can stop you getting bored or
frustrated with one and never returning to it. T<i>ried this last week - the downside was the dogs protested that there was no space left for them in the loungeroom (my beading space of preference at present!)</i></li>
<li>Take a good hard look at your UFOs be honest about those you will
never finish. Put these in a ‘won’t ever do’ box and donate them to the
local charity shop. T<i>his is today's job - my plan is to undo any that I think I really won't ever finish cos I really don't like them. The upside to the unbeading them is that the beads get a second life. </i></li>
<li>Swap them with a beading buddy. <i>Haven't tried this one yet - has anyone else?</i></li>
<li>Try learning a new technique for making findings or finishing a piece – this might just inspire you to use on an UFO. <i>Hoorah - this one worked - I turned a 'just begun' herringbone bracelet into a basket weave herringbone bracelet that used some bugles that have been longing to be used - see what you think?</i></li>
<li>Have a UFO ‘bead in’ with some beading buddies or your local beading group. Not quite there with this but I did take my UFO to my wonderful Crafty Women's group last week and lo and behold I finished that night. I'm delighted with the result. </li>
</ol>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIpYpoZIgc8TBeowniPJXKcF7sCml0ZKv_wDZLSAyWFqxTQN1gFfE0Irldvov5TXdvTK5IvVgr80xz7B79LZitC04ej_93-fWe3KNFL51whOnVG-M1inIwsLPyR-mKykihZKEeML-RWyc/s1600/reversible1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIpYpoZIgc8TBeowniPJXKcF7sCml0ZKv_wDZLSAyWFqxTQN1gFfE0Irldvov5TXdvTK5IvVgr80xz7B79LZitC04ej_93-fWe3KNFL51whOnVG-M1inIwsLPyR-mKykihZKEeML-RWyc/s320/reversible1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No longer a UFO - from herringbone bit to a basket weave bracelet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2013's additions that are working for me just now... <br />
<ol>
<li>Sort the UFOs into those that are waiting on some more beads and those that are not. Order the beads today!!!!</li>
<li>Turn the UFO into a something dramatic - a piece that you can't wait to finish rather one that you are finishing for finishing's sake. Embellish it, try out a new clasp, create a new closure method, try a new stitch and in doing so create something that you'll love. Focus on innovation rather than just ticking it off the list. </li>
<li>Give some dedicated time to your UFOs - they won't disappear with out it!</li>
</ol>
So, off to bead now...<br />
<br />
But, just before I do - I have hosting a GIVEAWAY - a free beading pattern from my o<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/daxbeadartpatterns" target="_blank">nline pattern shop</a> to the best TIP on reducing UFOs. Winner announced in next week's blog post on Monday 18th March. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-91390036764099985382013-03-05T13:02:00.001+11:002013-03-05T13:02:35.631+11:00Faberge Eggs, beading and some free tutorials
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have just listed Emeralda, a beaded bead necklace that was created for the Etsy Beadweavers
Team March challenge on the theme Faberge Egg. It is playing further with the netted beaded beads in Summerberie. I felt these beaded beads strongly
evoked the trellis patterns common to many Faberge eggs and feature the vibrant jewelled
tones seen in many Faberge eggs (for example, see <a href="http://www.123rf.com/photo_6833652_faberge-egg-isolated-on-white.html">http://www.123rf.com/photo_6833652_faberge-egg-isolated-on-white.html</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To see the other wonderful entries in the challenge please visit the Etsy Beadweavers team blog, <a href="http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/">http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com</a> between
the 9th and 15th March and vote for your favorite entry.<br />
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If you feel inspired to play with Faberge you might find these tutorials of interest.</div>
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<b>Free beading tutorials for Faberge eggs</b></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Turn a regular chicken egg into a beaded work of art! </span> <a href="http://suzyssitcom.com/2010/11/feature-friday-beaded-faberge-egg-tutorial.html">http://suzyssitcom.com/2010/11/feature-friday-beaded-faberge-egg-tutorial.html</a></li>
<li>
Another way with eggs and beads. https://sites.google.com/site/butterflydreamsminiatures/tutorials-1/faberge-egg
</li>
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You can also buy some great beadweaving tutorials inspired by Faberge eggs</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/124312733/faberge-style-egg-beaded-bead?ga_search_query=Faberge">https://www.etsy.com/listing/124312733/faberge-style-egg-beaded-bead</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.manek-manek.com/Pages/Shoppe/Ode%20To%20Faberge.htm">http://www.manek-manek.com/Pages/Shoppe/Ode%20To%20Faberge.htm</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYywhnMYrgHf_kUq96gPnwLfHGzAOaRHTn9AklxoBPDZeiozObJKZ0qzjfOhGZ0jWW_65-82prXuJHuf_f-dBQ3PNGnl9b3snEXT3eiPX0IYifcT8KoIFBIbdMS5gbu0D7W-Y85s9tzTPI/s1600/emeralda2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYywhnMYrgHf_kUq96gPnwLfHGzAOaRHTn9AklxoBPDZeiozObJKZ0qzjfOhGZ0jWW_65-82prXuJHuf_f-dBQ3PNGnl9b3snEXT3eiPX0IYifcT8KoIFBIbdMS5gbu0D7W-Y85s9tzTPI/s320/emeralda2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emeralda - my entry into the Etsy Beadweavers March challenge, Faberge Egg</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-64562939424612834882013-02-25T13:34:00.000+11:002013-02-25T13:34:51.536+11:00Berry beading patterns, Summerberie and a surprise<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O-V2u83xfWhF2yjW-xSOebtQOvTNTRYJ6Js6tDge46XOyYgUvyWuQIkN-X972vrhJvULw_6JmjmDbMM0Zer_cb35enS7dUEK_x9YNJhrdCl8hAtbJGjUsrzOg4be-jWGSnPQpvYWd5cJ/s1600/sumerberie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O-V2u83xfWhF2yjW-xSOebtQOvTNTRYJ6Js6tDge46XOyYgUvyWuQIkN-X972vrhJvULw_6JmjmDbMM0Zer_cb35enS7dUEK_x9YNJhrdCl8hAtbJGjUsrzOg4be-jWGSnPQpvYWd5cJ/s640/sumerberie.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summerberie by Glenda Mac Naughton, Feb 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Summer time is a time here in southern Australia when a wondrous array of berry fruits are available. <br />
<br />
Summer berries are not only luscious but apparently wonderfully good for us fighting aging, cancer, memory loss and much more. Their shapes and colours inspired a recent beading creation I called <i>Summerberie</i> (adapted from the Old English spelling) which I entered in the <a href="http://www.festivalofglass.net.au/" target="_blank">Festival of Glass</a> Wearable Glass Art competition (Feb 17th 2013).<br />
<br />
I was delightfully surprised to gain 3rd prize for the piece. So, here she is in all her berrie glory. Of course, I am not the only beader to be inspired by summer berries and their wonderful colours and shapes. Here's some beading berries to explore and enjoy. They might not fight cancer but they are inspiring and who knows what comes from being inspired. <br />
<br />
Love to hear about or see any of your beading berry inspirations. <br />
<br />
<i>Freebies </i><br />
Berry bracelet pattern by Deb Moffett-Hall <a href="http://beadwork.about.com/library/weekly/blberrybracelet.htm">http://beadwork.about.com/library/weekly/blberrybracelet.htm</a><br />
<br />
<i>For purchase</i><br />
Summer berries - 2 drop peyote. <a href="http://www.megansbeadeddesigns.com/product/summer-berries-2-drop-peyote-bracelet-pattern">http://www.megansbeadeddesigns.com/product/summer-berries-2-drop-peyote-bracelet-pattern</a><br />
Summer berry bracelet <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/102546904/summer-lovers-beadwork-bracelet-with?" target="_blank">http://www.etsy.com/listing/102546904/summer-lovers-beadwork-bracelet-with? </a><br />
<br />
<i>For enjoying</i><br />
Berry Jewelry by Alexandra Matveenko <a href="http://beadsmagic.com/?p=2979">http://beadsmagic.com/?p=2979</a><br />
Berry Patch Necklace by Karen Trade <a href="http://contest.bead-patterns.com/contest_c11/prizelist.php">http://contest.bead-patterns.com/contest_c11/prizelist.php</a><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>For developing berry colour schemes</i><br />
Colour schemer <a href="http://www.colorschemer.com/schemes/index.php?tag=berry">http://www.colorschemer.com/schemes/index.php?tag=berry</a><br />
Fashions in berry shades - <a href="http://fashionfinder.asos.com/fashion-trends/womens-aw12/catwalk-trends/berry-colours-429">http://fashionfinder.asos.com/fashion-trends/womens-aw12/catwalk-trends/berry-colours-429</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-88096867127991014132013-01-06T09:04:00.001+11:002013-01-06T09:05:01.684+11:00A very beady beginning to 2013 - how New Zealand helped!Happy New Year to all. I hope its a safe and fulfulling year for all.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa9E9pCguSP_uBcbV1DJ9aGjKoyeTWKQgZBM7ugqTm5hMM2RwifFyLRvLmZvrZycQcObxaG5fB2cjQleNaNDP5ODcAeDaTsT-2KjHRnFsou2cGGhIyi0r4TSsNJAfGlmCPggnWYpZ3Xzr/s1600/Picton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa9E9pCguSP_uBcbV1DJ9aGjKoyeTWKQgZBM7ugqTm5hMM2RwifFyLRvLmZvrZycQcObxaG5fB2cjQleNaNDP5ODcAeDaTsT-2KjHRnFsou2cGGhIyi0r4TSsNJAfGlmCPggnWYpZ3Xzr/s320/Picton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud owner of The Bead Gallery in Picton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2013 has had a very happy and beady beginning for me. I've already taken to lampwork bead making classes with two very different glass bead artists and visited two bead shops full of delight. These beady beginnings to the New Year have been whilst I've been on holiday in New Zealand in an area called Nelson at the very top of the South Island.<br />
<br />
There is a bead shop in the city of Nelson - The Bead Gallery - that is one of the first bead shops here in Australiasia. It opened in 1991 and not only has a huge diversity of beads but is full of bead treasures from around the world. You can spend time looking at absolutely gigantic glass beads from East Java, wonder about the meanings of the symbols on the beaded baby carrier from Sabah and delight in seeing tiny size 16/0 Toho seed beads in wonderful metallic colours. There are beautiful wooden buckets brimming with glass beads from India, seed beads from everywhere and findings galore. When you walk into the shop the metaphor of an 'Aladdin's cave' comes to mind. Delightful enough you might think but to find its 'sister' shop in Picton (just down a beautiful road from Nelson) next to a bead glass artist's gallery made my beading heart zing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5LkGVpOkQXl-5wdB6v3YxYLdnrKsqnsswKoOznvCNkOkgKThCaF6PSdfMdRgEA4lT-p7PJ9jV0cRUso0yfyRaRkpbTiYomb2fbuzQm4dcTRoHb2yV29Bh0DkNRNckVd-yLtaw38BNCKv/s1600/Piton2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5LkGVpOkQXl-5wdB6v3YxYLdnrKsqnsswKoOznvCNkOkgKThCaF6PSdfMdRgEA4lT-p7PJ9jV0cRUso0yfyRaRkpbTiYomb2fbuzQm4dcTRoHb2yV29Bh0DkNRNckVd-yLtaw38BNCKv/s320/Piton2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The great bead umbrella, The Bead Gallery, Picton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Did temptation to buy win out - of course it did. I'll be coming home with some of those wonderful size 16/0 Toho beads, the beads I made in my lampwork classes and a wonderful bead made by Andrew Firth who I took a class with. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmaAwQqruN0D4AIh9qHk0ZYOWzA5YG8Wjcsn12etv036lVf2vYve2eiasYxjJy1UgFlmBvnevH9oS-2OxO3PWrX8zZrFqiQ3UzjgFpTaeOe2_cx1fmB3drb_3i8Zt5JePYaQBp2upEZK4/s1600/dicro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmaAwQqruN0D4AIh9qHk0ZYOWzA5YG8Wjcsn12etv036lVf2vYve2eiasYxjJy1UgFlmBvnevH9oS-2OxO3PWrX8zZrFqiQ3UzjgFpTaeOe2_cx1fmB3drb_3i8Zt5JePYaQBp2upEZK4/s1600/dicro.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A not so good photo of a very shiny bead I made at The Bead Gallery in Nelson under the expert tuition of Michelle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, if you are in New Zealand do think about visiting the Nelson area - there's plenty to delight a beading traveller. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-67176555137191453642012-12-12T08:21:00.002+11:002012-12-12T08:22:15.616+11:00Taputi - the bead and where did November go?It's hard to believe that November is over and December marching forward. November disappeared as I prepared for my studio's Open Days last weekend, prepared classes and competition entries for the the Bead Society of Victoria's (BSVs) Bead Expo (in Nov), prepared classes for Vitality Cafe and my studio, completed commissions, worked on the 2013 Festival of Glass and more. Its all been lovely amongst living my life but I do still wonder where November went.<br />
<br />
One of my tangible outcomes was Taputi - the bead. She was my entry in the BSV's inaugural Single Bead competition themed 'Initiation'. I was thrilled she was acknowledged with a Highly Commended Award.<br />
<br />
Here's her story:<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Tapputi – the bead</span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> is named after and was inspired by </span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tapputi</span></i><span class="st"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-</span></i></span><span class="st"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Belatekallim
a </span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Mesopotamian woman who scholars
believe initiated chemistry, particularly the chemistry of perfume making </span><span class="st"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">over
3,300 years ago</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">. The shape of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tapputi – the bead</i> evokes the bulbous,
narrow necked perfume containers of her times and its colours are inspired by
the earthy colours of myrrh and balsam two of the key ingredients in her first
recorded perfume recipe. From Tapputi’s times onwards, perfumed oils and
unguents have played a central role in initiation rituals and ceremonies in
many cultures so its not surprising to find a contemporary perfume named
‘Initiation’. Perhaps it’s time for one to bear Tapputi’s name as a reminder of
her legacy. In the meantime, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tapputi – the
bead</i> is my homage to all that she initiated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Now the Open Studio - that is another story - for another blog post. Hopefully, before December goes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCDFz9IxeKW8uQu5KJSX7IfS2mwZkMARcTggD1-9sOwHSZpWD6pEb1E6x84Gndpgb8rtoolzeT2CFGkoL0M4geL1b7fYOQKgjn5_5j1ha4DAvbFgbzl-VJfijejcGnmWZmSpzR-VlKoMx/s1600/Taputi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCDFz9IxeKW8uQu5KJSX7IfS2mwZkMARcTggD1-9sOwHSZpWD6pEb1E6x84Gndpgb8rtoolzeT2CFGkoL0M4geL1b7fYOQKgjn5_5j1ha4DAvbFgbzl-VJfijejcGnmWZmSpzR-VlKoMx/s640/Taputi.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-74412099999457107182012-10-31T08:40:00.001+11:002012-10-31T08:40:58.231+11:00Anticipation and beading
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A bead shop is never far away it seems. I have been working
at things non-beady in Jogyakarta (Java, Indonesia) and staying in a hotel I
didn’t choose. Yet, on Monday after a long flight, my first walk around the
streets nearby my hotel to orient myself and stretch my legs led me to a bead
shop. It was a small shop with ropes of gemstones and pearl beads on the wall
behind a glass case counter full of made up necklaces of all shapes, colours
and sizes. There was no time to stop and look carefully so I promised myself
that treat when all my other work is finished. That anticipation felt a sweet
treat amongst my non-beady workdays. However, ironically I never returned to
the beadshop. Instead, I discovered from Ganis, a local woman I am working with
here, that behind the hotel I was staying in is ‘the’ bead shop for Jogyakarta.
Ganis’s mother is a beader and it her the favourite place for beads. It is
apparently the best bead shop in town for serious beaders. New anticipation
flowed as I waited for my day ‘off’ to be a bead tourist on my final day in
Jogyakarta. </div>
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During delightful anticipatory walk through the tiny lane
ways behind the hotel I passed by several gold jewelry shops and finally arrived
at a local market with jewelry shops surrounding it. There amongst them was
Petra – ‘the’ bead shop of Jogyakarta. A kilo of crystal beads later I had to
agree it was quite a bead shop. It stocks in bulk every conceivable non-precious
metal finding needed for bead making and a staggering array of local, Chinese
and Czech crystals, gemstones and every plastic bead imaginable. Amongst the
buzz of dozens of other beaders I had a wonderful time choosing my beads. The help
of a very attentive shop assistant meant I was guided to special deals, sale
beads and every question I had was answered. It was fantastic service but the
highlight was joining a beading class that was in progress as I arrived. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeBG2sytGQvqn3XPsBjVl0gj38UYwNQmvullDSfFlVD8tQIdS5VIrPhudtwAO0Wo7pLWCQ_qKNJnQsA9Hkt67wfX00hcnImZ-JxtpS15Y83AHzQIYTeVnnb72kkwMC85lQTIQIeALorOR/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeBG2sytGQvqn3XPsBjVl0gj38UYwNQmvullDSfFlVD8tQIdS5VIrPhudtwAO0Wo7pLWCQ_qKNJnQsA9Hkt67wfX00hcnImZ-JxtpS15Y83AHzQIYTeVnnb72kkwMC85lQTIQIeALorOR/s320/IMG_1187.JPG" width="320" /></a>Crammed into a small space in the corner of the shopfront several
women in deep concentration worked with support from the teacher on making bags
and jewelry. Beadweaving is clearly very popular in the area as there are
classes three times a day, seven days a week and each class is full to
overflowing. Whilst I couldn’t really talk with class participants because of
my limited Bahasa the language of beads kept us ‘talking’ for some time as they
showed me the intricacies of their beadweaving and looked at mine. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-45280650819181901542012-09-18T17:57:00.000+10:002012-09-18T17:57:04.535+10:00A glistering beading UFO and handy words for beaders
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To expand my vocabulary I often have a ‘word of the day’. It
may be a word I don’t know, or a word I want to know better or just a word that
intrigues me. I challenge myself to use my ‘word of the day’ at least ten times
that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most often I find my word of
the day finds me – something someone says or something I read brings me it to
me. Most of these words in what I hear or read and but sometimes I turn to
dictionaries. Last week one of those words was ‘glister’. It is a synonym for
sparkles and glitters. </div>
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Sat surrounded by beadwork UFOs I realised it was one of my
easier ‘word of the day’ challenges that week. Most of my UFOs were glistering
at me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s one of them full of
glistering crystals.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0JWxGaPqIBP7M9IFKDDl0xfZI8B88bg8AjuLgVoC4wRSeq3YTl3UM4HJNgkjLcB07rwek2p36Mp9wf4PnBMQPImBeEnD8HkNqiYStp6gQHZFFpInZtcHRzLrWU-vCgHa4VwcRX075MCa/s1600/glister2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0JWxGaPqIBP7M9IFKDDl0xfZI8B88bg8AjuLgVoC4wRSeq3YTl3UM4HJNgkjLcB07rwek2p36Mp9wf4PnBMQPImBeEnD8HkNqiYStp6gQHZFFpInZtcHRzLrWU-vCgHa4VwcRX075MCa/s320/glister2.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A glistering beading UFO</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Like many of my UFO’s the word glister has a long history. One
of it’s most famous uses was in William Shakespeare's play, The Merchant of
Venice in a line that is often misquoted – ‘all the glisters is not gold’. The
line is part of a stanza that explores the puzzle of Portia's boxes (Act II -
Scene VII - Prince of Morocco):</div>
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<i>All that glisters is not gold;</i></div>
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<i>Often have you heard that told:</i></div>
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<i>Many a man his life hath sold</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>But my outside to behold:</i></div>
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<i>Gilded tombs do worms enfold.</i></div>
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<i>Had you been as wise as bold,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Young in limbs, in judgement old</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Your answer had not been inscroll'd</i></div>
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<i>Fare you well, your suit is cold.</i></div>
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I wonder if I can fare you well to any of my UFOs. Back to
their glister after my blogging distractions. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-15804474781043751052012-09-04T14:18:00.001+10:002012-09-04T14:22:23.434+10:00Threatened species on the mind and in the beads - a special offer for this weekIt's National Threatened Species day on Friday in Australia (<a href="http://www.ecocitizenaustralia.com.au/national-threatened-species-day-2012/">http://www.ecocitizenaustralia.com.au/national-threatened-species-day-2012/</a>).<br />
<br />
The day is intended to draw attention to the plight of Australia's threatened and endangered species and prevent the further loss our unique flora and fauna.<br />
<br />
To help draw attention to this I have a special offer for all my <i>Facebook Fans and Blog Followers </i>- any two of my <i>Endangered Series </i>patterns online for the price of one. Just buy one and in the message to seller indicate the second one you would like. I'll then forward both to you.<br />
<br />
PS: no-one guessed which is my best selling pattern in the range - its <i>Giraffes at Sunset</i>.<br />
<br />
Link here to the online pattern shop: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/daxbeadartpatterns">http://www.etsy.com/shop/daxbeadartpatterns</a><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiI1j4uEjttgrheT7VAwCO3irsnbSQLbg-GCq__V9GOjRwGFQ1Hj-6SQoBBwxBGs_pFvakDM5rRRI1ueIV-oRqItEegakSjCrlsohsIIhPNfODLUqCkoAbb1vw1wgw1fZQAiDgrmwjSuX/s1600/kangaroo.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiI1j4uEjttgrheT7VAwCO3irsnbSQLbg-GCq__V9GOjRwGFQ1Hj-6SQoBBwxBGs_pFvakDM5rRRI1ueIV-oRqItEegakSjCrlsohsIIhPNfODLUqCkoAbb1vw1wgw1fZQAiDgrmwjSuX/s320/kangaroo.tiff" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kangaroo Dreaming - celebrating Australia's unique fauna</i></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-11100052682910822392012-08-31T10:50:00.001+10:002012-08-31T10:50:05.613+10:00Beaders and beads and predator-proof fences - what do they have in common?At the end of each financial year (June) I review the sales of items (patterns and jewellery) in my <i>Endangered</i> collection items. These are items I have designed to create talk about the beauty of the world's endangered species and their struggles for survival.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"> 10% of sales each tax year in the collection are donated to the </span><i style="color: #666666;">World Wildlife Fund</i><span style="color: #666666;"> (WWF) (Australia)</span>.</span></span><br />
<br />
This year beads and beaders have helped to purchase two metres of a five kilometre predator-proof fence for the Australian Black-flank rock wallaby is Dax's donation to the <a href="http://www.wwf.org.au/" target="_blank">World Wildlife Fund</a> (WWF) in 2011/2012. Thanks to everyone who supported this possibility.<br />
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To read about this and previous years - link <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/daxbeads/social-responsibility/adoptions" target="_blank">here </a><br />
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In celebration of this year's donation here's some of the <i>Endangered</i> collection pieces. They can be <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/daxdesigns" target="_blank">made to order</a> or you can make your own using <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/daxbeadartpatterns" target="_blank">one of my patterns</a>. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-64124376687143065632012-08-13T13:42:00.002+10:002012-08-13T13:44:25.372+10:00Wearability and the 'wow' factor - do your designs have it?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdmJyhF1Bwsw2HFnZep_aZEu69dh0ejdwEndulc3EhRCzwTDtSiTE3-FcfCbUMBmbn6sXrpko2flNbeHQqJpnK7ejmWI_US8LVWshGUx-oLHwB70wpLB2gnacf-dhROxvGbeWNTG0vxtw/s1600/wearable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdmJyhF1Bwsw2HFnZep_aZEu69dh0ejdwEndulc3EhRCzwTDtSiTE3-FcfCbUMBmbn6sXrpko2flNbeHQqJpnK7ejmWI_US8LVWshGUx-oLHwB70wpLB2gnacf-dhROxvGbeWNTG0vxtw/s200/wearable.jpg" width="174" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wearable or not? From <a href="http://bit.ly/Q3EWq6" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/Q3EWq6</a></i></td></tr>
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You've just finished your latest beading design and you're delighted with it. It might be wacky, fun, inspirational, avant garde, highly fashionable or just different but in your delight you're convinced it has a certain 'wow' factor. But, if you decide to enter it in a beading contest judges are likely to be concerned with another 'w' factor - the 'wearablity' factor. Could you wear it? Would you wear it? How will it feel to wear it?<br />
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'Wearability' is the focus of this week's blog and it is the 7th blog in my series on criteria in beading competitions. If you are entering your beadwork in a jewelry competition you may want to 'wow' the judges but a key question they will ask is, 'Can you wear it?'. A deceptively simple question until I began to muse about it for this blog.<br />
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What makes jewelry wearable? I have a necklace I made some time ago that 'wowed' me when I made it. However, I've never managed to wear it for a whole day. The wonderful turquoise and vintage glass beads that 'wow' me are so heavy when strung together that wearing it for any length of time is just plain uncomfortable and it begins to irritate me. Musing further reminded me of the various non-wearable pieces of jewelry I owned or had made. The Cellini spiral necklace whose crystals scratched me, the assymetrical fringed amulet bag that always hung off-centre, the silver bracelet whose clasp pinched me because the bracelet was too tight, the necklace whose chain made my skin itch, etc, etc. <br />
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So, based on my experience of the non-wearable in my jewelry box here's some questions that might help you reflect on the extent that those 'wow' designs are also 'wearable' designs.<br />
<ul>
<li>Weight - is it too heavy, too light or just right?</li>
<li>Fit - does it drape well or is it too stiff or rigid? Is it too tight or too loose or just right? </li>
<li>Movement - can you move in it or does it restrict your movement in some way? </li>
<li>Safety - do any components scratch, prick, pinch or prode you or others?</li>
<li>Does anything irritate the skin or rub uncomfortably against it?</li>
</ul>
Perhaps at the end of the day these all boil down to the 'comfort' and irritation question that started my musings - can you/could you wear your 'wow' design all day every day without irritation of any kind?<br />
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To help you muse further about wearablity you might enjoy following the fun links below to some jewelry that has the 'wow' but ? wearability factor. <br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stroke neckpiece: hanji (Korean mulberry paper), ink, sterling silver, lacquer: </span><a href="http://www.wearableartblog.com/my_weblog/2011/06/myung-urso.html">http://www.wearableartblog.com/my_weblog/2011/06/myung-urso.html</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Large and chunky necklace - <a href="http://trendnstylez.com/jewelry/top-10-jewellery-trends-2012-jewellery-fashion-2013-910.html">http://trendnstylez.com/jewelry/top-10-jewellery-trends-2012-jewellery-fashion-2013-910.html</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Oversized necklace - <a href="http://planetfashiontv.com/fashion-style/fashion-news/style/2673-the-top-10-fashion-styles-for-2011">http://planetfashiontv.com/fashion-style/fashion-news/style/2673-the-top-10-fashion-styles-for-2011</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Ring Bling - <a href="http://www.stylesaint.com/tear/4fe338c65341f9767c0002ff">http://www.stylesaint.com/tear/4fe338c65341f9767c0002ff</a></span></li>
</ul>
<i>Resources</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Land of Odds Jewelry Design notes: <a href="http://www.landofodds.com/store/goodjewelrydesign.htm">http://www.landofodds.com/store/goodjewelrydesign.htm</a></li>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-13100350077350258112012-07-26T18:16:00.000+10:002012-08-13T12:06:50.091+10:00Durability of construction – could my beadwork last longer than me?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTnlsGmw_qwWrTqIg13UUGFYTQULDMRY6mnVSjucBVdQk9qJeCyXoeKjiXSFB-LVDtVfOVvoUy69FHnxbnxkP9kRuY8kHLhb8HsSTSpoSME_ueCe2KqTDddLkfJQmbMR8t15YN6NAYOYJ/s1600/6000.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTnlsGmw_qwWrTqIg13UUGFYTQULDMRY6mnVSjucBVdQk9qJeCyXoeKjiXSFB-LVDtVfOVvoUy69FHnxbnxkP9kRuY8kHLhb8HsSTSpoSME_ueCe2KqTDddLkfJQmbMR8t15YN6NAYOYJ/s320/6000.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>6000 year old beadweaving (South Africa) with ostrich shell beads</i></td></tr>
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Durability is on my mind this week as my lower back failed the durability test when I rather enthusiastically took to weeding our very weedy vegetable patch on Monday. It proved incapable of withstanding the wear and tear of my weeding efforts and a trip to the Physio confirmed that my back was probably less durable than my current beadwork!<br />
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With this in mind it seemed opportune this week to focus my series of blog muses on bead competition on the criteria of 'durability in construction'.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEics5mWjHNVJ0ijVT27BcbSh65MDkjRtPCmRVXL7bl7_9TgPtIJTZWWtmuupy59sSAXg4EJM4eog2OikmDX3PCc3CzBVtJkWoosV6RMMeTfqGpiA90uuouKS1amV9llUh3SRe_JOeKKPJNs/s1600/ancient155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEics5mWjHNVJ0ijVT27BcbSh65MDkjRtPCmRVXL7bl7_9TgPtIJTZWWtmuupy59sSAXg4EJM4eog2OikmDX3PCc3CzBVtJkWoosV6RMMeTfqGpiA90uuouKS1amV9llUh3SRe_JOeKKPJNs/s200/ancient155.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1200 year old glass bead</i></td></tr>
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Put simply, durable beadwork lasts a long time even. And beads and beadwork can be very durable. For instance, archaeologists have found handmade glass beads that are now thousands of years old and still intact and I was luck enough to see 6000 old beadweaving still intact on a visit to the South African museum in Cape Town this time last year. So, how do you make your beadwork last 6000 years? <br />
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Again, its simple. For beadwork to outlast its maker beadwork needs not only to be well-made technically (see my last post on this - <a href="http://daxdesigns.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/technical-execution-towards.html">http://daxdesigns.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/technical-execution-towards.html</a>) but it also needs to be made from durable components that are resistant to moisture, microbes, light, heat, cold and impact (e.g. being pulled, dropped or dropped on). That may seem quite an ask but here are some questions I've put together so that you can use to test the durability of your components. Perhaps I need a similiar list for my next visit to the Physio on Monday!<br />
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You might also find a previous posts on durability issues
in seed bead finishes worth popping by and reading<cite> </cite>(<a href="http://daxdesigns.blogspot.com/dots-dyes-and-durability-in-delica.html">daxdesigns.blogspot.com/dots-dyes-and-durability-in-delica.html</a>.<cite><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">)</span></cite></div>
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As always, I'd welcome thoughts and suggestions you have. Now, back to my back exercises so its durability can improve!<cite><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></cite></div>
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<cite><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></cite></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-17177107595075125032012-07-16T18:08:00.003+10:002012-07-16T18:08:45.735+10:00The new studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKG4w0ubQ5TLRqflHjbmvbXS3cpeIhHQk-26E6AuQhLJGg-AEJRyjPuxo9WKw_Bq-7F2ksxQPWK0K7hLZ35utxVjS9mD6UUhsdv7KHLxYb_S-cQl5glm2P6wMUs0iHKt-wctL0E287-3m/s1600/2-Studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKG4w0ubQ5TLRqflHjbmvbXS3cpeIhHQk-26E6AuQhLJGg-AEJRyjPuxo9WKw_Bq-7F2ksxQPWK0K7hLZ35utxVjS9mD6UUhsdv7KHLxYb_S-cQl5glm2P6wMUs0iHKt-wctL0E287-3m/s640/2-Studio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I'll let photos speak for me today - here is my new studio (formerly known in our home as the garage!) all moved into. The table will be for classes once my destash finishes at the end of the month. If you live local to Drysdale just email if you'd like to pop in and see what treasures are left from my stash for sale.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-63618690812268602292012-07-10T11:01:00.003+10:002012-07-10T11:02:50.950+10:00Technical execution– towards workwomanship in beadworkThis week is the fourth in my series about criteria used to judge beadwork in competitions. My musings this week are about how technical execution, often referred to as workmanship, or given the number of women beaders, how workwomanship is judged? With <i>Google</i> at my side I searched through the criteria for various craft competitions where workwomanship is an active criteria of excellence for inspiration.<br />
<br />
Quilters and embroiderers seemed to have some of the most specific guidelines on how to technically execute a competition piece. So, with thanks to those craftswomen my musings workwomanship in beadwork suggest that neatness and sound engineering are key. More specifically:<br />
<br />
Neatness – is the beadwork precise and tidy?<br />
<ul>
<li>even tension as appropriate to the stitch</li>
<li>invisible starting and finishing threads</li>
<li>no threads showing or crossing beads
- no missed or broken beads. </li>
</ul>
Sound engineering – does it work and is it hardy?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieECtA79qkDSkzd6eUdbAhsnzWOw7HqvcgwjEFZeHBePZvy0anlErtLG57PJV6tkG_hjUl-Qbi1FJ1IYrfdUiXsEt337fLuiV3y_y9SLarA9aJw7SypDzLhYBaHhj9AD9ZB24vcldsRYJy/s1600/Cabella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieECtA79qkDSkzd6eUdbAhsnzWOw7HqvcgwjEFZeHBePZvy0anlErtLG57PJV6tkG_hjUl-Qbi1FJ1IYrfdUiXsEt337fLuiV3y_y9SLarA9aJw7SypDzLhYBaHhj9AD9ZB24vcldsRYJy/s320/Cabella.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cabella bracelet by Glenda of Dax Designs</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it neat? Does it work and is it hardy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>strong joins, components, closures and/or clasps that work as they should</li>
<li>form suits its function – e.g. wearable beadwork sits or drapes well</li>
<li>durability – the beadwork will survive its use. </li>
</ul>
Mind you, reflecting on these criteria of workman/womanship I think that the world might be a happier place if all that we made in the world met these critieria. I know my beading world would have been over the past couple of weeks. In the conversion of my garage to my studio several workmen seriously failed the neatness test – piles of plaster dust and sawdust seemed to appear just as they disappeared. Perhaps, that’s a good reminder to me that workwomanship in beadwork needs to be both neat and soundly engineered. One, without the other, is only half way there.<br />
<br />
I’d love any thoughts you have on what makes for sound and neat beadwork and what we can do to work towards excellence in the technical execution of our beadwork.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-28016040481752081142012-07-03T12:41:00.004+10:002012-07-10T11:03:11.785+10:00Sophistication in beadwork – how do we create it and judge it?Sophistication in beadwork is the third of my posts reflecting on criteria used to judge beadwork in competition. Like all things socially and culturally created sophistication is a tricky thing to define and therefore to create and judge.<br />
<br />
The concept of sophistication has it roots in Ancient Greece where a "sophist," was a master of knowledge or learning and it is derived from the Greek word "sophia" meaning wisdom. For beaders in contemporary times mastering sophistication in beadwork is linked to mastering broader contemporary cultural ideas of sophistication in fashion. These centre on ideas of good taste, classiness, refinement and elegance. They privilege subtlety rather than ‘bling’ and flashiness in the materials, shapes, colours and patterns of a design.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL8xaexq-6YGEnMSJf71cTYsUWnrhjV_jlM4f0VOchav1R8XRJTLkIxjWbbE4Uo8ZtuEivgDI1E2v58-uoKR4z3gHB9wASpj6FAK-KTYFy-wuRnW3QUnR9Z_sW_Rt9j92uFad8_vBZLDm/s1600/Hedronrising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL8xaexq-6YGEnMSJf71cTYsUWnrhjV_jlM4f0VOchav1R8XRJTLkIxjWbbE4Uo8ZtuEivgDI1E2v58-uoKR4z3gHB9wASpj6FAK-KTYFy-wuRnW3QUnR9Z_sW_Rt9j92uFad8_vBZLDm/s320/Hedronrising.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sophisticated or not? What do you think? Hedron Rising by Glenda</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Many writers suggest that these ideas of sophistication in fashion derive from European and Anglo-American middle and upper class definitions of good design, luxury and style associated with ‘old-money’ families and the traditional elite of a given society, such as royals and aristocrats (see for example, Cameron, 2010).<br />
<br />
So, if you are not an aristocrat or royal whose sense of fashion and design defines what is sophisticated what do you do? How do the non-royal and non-elite beaders amongst us pursue sophistication in our beadwork? How we gain this allusive knowledge and master it? How we become masters of elegance, elite taste, refinement and elegance? How do we pursue subtlety?<br />
<br />
A good place to start is <i>Google</i> images – try putting in some search words that take you to images others define as sophisticated. Look at the colours, shapes and patterns that emerge. Use these as inspiration for your designs. Mock up some colour palettes and keep them for your next design. Some word combinations that I found worked were:<br />
<ul>
<li>sophisticated plus - royal fashion; women; colours; patterns</li>
<li>elegant plus: colours; jewellery; beadwork. </li>
</ul>
You can also set up a special folder where you place images of colours, shapes and designs that others label sophisticated. Grow this over time and then try to generate some common themes/ideas that seem to emerge. When you design something have someone seen as sophisticated and elegant in mind, and ask, would they wear this? For instance, <i>Mary – Crown Princess of Denmark</i>, is often referred to in the Australian media as having an elegant and sophisticated sense of fashion. Choose an outfit she has worn and design something you think she would wear with it. Check with others to see if you have 'got it right'.<br />
<br />
Often you will find the motto, ‘less is more’ summarizes sophistication. So, try reducing the number of colours you use, reduce the amount of bling (sparkle), pull back on complex patterns and reduce the diversity of shapes that you use.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, if you just love bling and flashiness you might enjoy this quote:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i> "[...] sophistication is a form of snobbery - it's based above all on knowing something another person does not." (Holleran, Andrew (January 2001). "Staying a Step Ahead". Out (Here Publishing) 9 (7): 38–80. ISSN 1062-7928. Retrieved 2011-03-06.) </i></blockquote>
To explore the allusive nature of sophistication more you might enjoy these texts:<br />
<ul>
<li>Faye Hammill (2010), Sophistication: A Literary and Cultural History.</li>
<li>DeJean, Joan (2003). The essence of style: how the French invented high fashion, fine food, chic cafes, style, sophistication, and glamour. New York: Free Press. </li>
<li>Douglas Cameron (2010). Cultural Strategy: Using Innovative Ideologies to Build Breakthrough Brands. Oxford University Press.
</li>
</ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-69711777382070718942012-06-18T14:56:00.001+10:002012-06-18T14:56:17.223+10:00Treasures of Toho 2012 contest news and thanks Cranberry BeadsI was thrilled to learn at the weekend that my necklace <i>Hedron Rising</i> was awarded<i> 2nd prize in the Advanced Beader, Wearable Art</i> in the <a href="http://www.teamtoho.net/Goodies/Contests.aspx" target="_blank">2012 Treasures of Toho</a> contest.<br />
<br />
I wish I had been able to attend the judging in the US at the Bead and Button Show but another time maybe....<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL8xaexq-6YGEnMSJf71cTYsUWnrhjV_jlM4f0VOchav1R8XRJTLkIxjWbbE4Uo8ZtuEivgDI1E2v58-uoKR4z3gHB9wASpj6FAK-KTYFy-wuRnW3QUnR9Z_sW_Rt9j92uFad8_vBZLDm/s1600/Hedronrising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL8xaexq-6YGEnMSJf71cTYsUWnrhjV_jlM4f0VOchav1R8XRJTLkIxjWbbE4Uo8ZtuEivgDI1E2v58-uoKR4z3gHB9wASpj6FAK-KTYFy-wuRnW3QUnR9Z_sW_Rt9j92uFad8_vBZLDm/s320/Hedronrising.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I am waiting on my necklace to arrive back from the US and then I can post some photos - in the meantime my thanks to a photo from Jo Ivy from <a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/" target="_blank">Cranberry Beads</a> for the one above that she took before <i>Hedron Rising</i> headed to the US for judging earlier this year.<br />
<br />
A second thanks to Jo for supporting the Toho contest and selling a great range of their beads in her online shop <a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/" target="_blank">Cranberry Beads.</a> <br />
<br />
One of the requirements of the Toho contest is that the piece must use 90% Toho beads - so my third thanks to Jo who stocks a great range of Toho beads that was possible. A couple of urgent orders were needed as the deadline approached and <i>Hedron Rising</i> grew and as always my order was quickly dispatched and arrived in time. <i>Hedron Rising</i> uses several of Toho' permanent finish beads and I loved using them. They are not only wonderful colours but they are wonderfully uniform beads. Here's a taster of the key colours I used - click on them and you'll be at <a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/" target="_blank">Cranberry Beads</a> online store. If you use seed beads its a great online shop to know about. Jo is also President of the Bead Society of Victoria - another great organisation to know about, if you don't know it already. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/store/product_info.php?cPath=29_62_106&products_id=1851"><img alt="11 - Pumpkin" border="0" height="181" src="http://www.cranberry.net.au/store/images/11-pf562-a.jpg" title=" 11 - Pumpkin " width="180" /></a><a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/store/product_info.php?cPath=29_62_108&products_id=2490"><img alt="11 - Purple" border="0" height="178" src="http://www.cranberry.net.au/store/images/11-pf567.jpg" title=" 11 - Purple " width="180" /></a><a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/store/product_info.php?cPath=29_62_107&products_id=1605"><img alt="11 - Dark Cranberry" border="0" height="176" src="http://www.cranberry.net.au/store/images/11-pf564-a.jpg" title=" 11 - Dark Cranberry " width="180" /></a><a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/store/product_info.php?products_id=1606"></a><a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/store/product_info.php?products_id=1606"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-3959990358080123432012-05-03T12:47:00.003+10:002012-05-03T12:47:58.083+10:00Beading novelty: are you strong enough?<style>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amongst the chaos of creating a studio I am treating
myself to further time musing on the criteria used for judging beadwork
competitions. This week my musings are focused on ‘novelty’. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What is it, how do we create it
in beadwork and do we always want it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Novelty
is from the <span class="st">Latin word for "new" – novas. Hence, most
dictionary definitions of novelty emphasise ‘newness’ and ‘freshness’. In the
world of design a novel design differs from all previous designs so it cannot
replicate or simulate a natural object or prior art and design – such as a
specific building, logo or object that already exists. </span>It must have a
specific and seeable "point of departure from prior art." It must
have a ‘point of novelty’ that is identifiable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="st"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Extending
on that, the novel is often surprising and within this it may be striking,
unusual or amusing. It may please or displease. It may make us smile with
ecstasy or squirm in agony. Novelty may be nice, but it may nasty. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-slY-TzybDCJv2uTLY7pikXHHDfU-Uyyp01qZu-7B_WYTAJ41gH-jdz__OLZxG0Rejf66ENBDey7R1WqQ2WkvNrbcaFpFRnA1H8VIFZjx5hUglw_0qaNk4wNyRQtNSunj7c3AAkqKZ_S/s1600/crayon-beads-2-570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-slY-TzybDCJv2uTLY7pikXHHDfU-Uyyp01qZu-7B_WYTAJ41gH-jdz__OLZxG0Rejf66ENBDey7R1WqQ2WkvNrbcaFpFRnA1H8VIFZjx5hUglw_0qaNk4wNyRQtNSunj7c3AAkqKZ_S/s200/crayon-beads-2-570.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
instance, as a beader you may create novelty by putting two or more things
together in new ways – combining beading stitches, bead colours or types of
beads together in new ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your ‘point
of departure from prior beadwork’ may be your stitch combinations, your colour combinations
or your bead combinations, or all three. You may bead a blue cat or a green sun
using beads made from colour pencils or something equally unusual. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your
specific combination of stitches, colours or beads may surprise, amuse or jar.
It may be pleasing or not. It may make others smile or squirm. So, as you aim
to create novelty in your beadwork you may need to take a moment to muse on how
others may respond to its newness. Will it be with agony or ecstasy or
somewhere in between? Is there a good reason why those specific colours have
never been put together in that way before or why nobody has tried combining
those specific stitches? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
is evidence from psychological studies of creativity that many people are
biased against the novel – they find it scary, agonising and unpleasant. So,
the more novel your beadwork the more others may agonise when they see it. Try
taking your own novelty bias test by visiting The Ugly Necklace Contest
website. How do you respond to the novelty – with agony or with ecstasy?</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span> </span><a href="http://www.landofodds.com/store/uglynecklace.htm"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.landofodds.com/store/uglynecklace.htm</span></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
you muse on this you may want to reflect on the opening verse from a poem by
Samuel Nze, titled, ‘<i>Novelty requires strength</i>’:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Novelty
requires strength; <br />
We need to be strong<br />
To break those fetters <br />
That cage us in,</span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sources</span></i></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="st"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_of_novelty">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_of_novelty</a></span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/novelty-requires-strength/"><span class="st"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/novelty-requires-strength/</span></span></a></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-68586809066643448662012-04-23T09:41:00.000+10:002012-04-23T09:41:13.469+10:00A beading studio in the making: stories of clutter, chaos and CinderellasBeading is totally on my mind but doing any rather in the background. The reason is simple. I've decided to convert the garage into a beading studio. Its an idea that has been brewing for some time but my lampwork class with Leah Fairbanks has spurred me on to create a better and safer place for lampworking. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDINufZSfIlPH_lB5odEZy4kAa4_0qMUPFuTuWQ83u25R0Y8iiL4IjntnknkPJibLdxUSr6rEqcEXH56qubgGl0Sm6l7cDglC3gBuHrl8V9bxx9lne2eVI5XvdAHcNj27cUMOLe2hzYK61/s1600/P1030738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDINufZSfIlPH_lB5odEZy4kAa4_0qMUPFuTuWQ83u25R0Y8iiL4IjntnknkPJibLdxUSr6rEqcEXH56qubgGl0Sm6l7cDglC3gBuHrl8V9bxx9lne2eVI5XvdAHcNj27cUMOLe2hzYK61/s320/P1030738.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just a glimpse of the garage chaos</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This time last week it seemed a great idea but just one week later amongst paint pots, sanders and sorting all the chaos that is our garage the idea is feeling a little strained.<br />
<br />
My beading buddy Janet suggested some before and after photos - its a great idea because I can already see some progress. The old TV unit in the photo has had its first two coats of paint and it is nearly a gleaming white bead storage unit. Today should see it's garage Cinderella status change. The light in the photo is long due a new globe and that too might find a new and happier life in my studio. Today I tackle the rest of the clutter in the photo - who knows how many Cinderellas might emerge?<br />
<br />
Back to blogging about beading competitions once the paint is all dry and the beads are in place. Hopefully next week!!!!!! In the meantime I'd love to hear your ideas for what should be in my beading studio - what is a must have for you? There's two free Dax Designs beading patterns for the person with most helpful idea for me over the next week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-4416947867961239802012-04-17T13:17:00.000+10:002012-04-17T13:17:05.951+10:00Musings on a matrix of originality in beadwork – was it done this way before I did it?As promised I’m musing in my blogs over the next few weeks on the criteria used to judge beadwork in contemporary beading competitions and challenges. This week I’m musing on ‘<b>originality</b>’. What is it, how do we create it in beadwork and why is it valued so much?<br />
<br />
Dictionaries tell me that an original object is something that is a new, one-of-a-kind object. It is not a copy, imitation, facsimile, clone or forgery. It begins (originates) with an individual who independently of others uses their own ideas and skills to create something unique.<br />
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Sounds simple, doesn’t it? However, like many things in our social world, the simple is often more complex, than it is simple. <br />
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To claim that we have created something truly original in any creative endeavour, such as beadwork, (unique) is tricky business. Our ideas shape and reshape as we talk with others, read, look and listen to what others think and say and learn from others how to do new things. Our own ideas and skills are enmeshed with the ideas and skills of those we learn from. Where does one person’s idea start and another’s end? Where are the boundaries that make it possible to say, ‘This is my original idea, design or creation? I did this? This is new.’. How can we claim originality in our beadwork when all beadwork shares a common heritage of ‘how to’ weave, string and shape little objects with holes in them together. Some beaders learn these techniques by reading books, looking at patterns, attending classes and/or having beading buddies that show us ‘ how to’. Amongst this learning and sharing where are the boundaries of originality? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0afceUzQyxrCQgBCdUrLwwE2Dtm1oEnGXkdPP7EidBgK3hzIAzh_dsRm_RZbMdcAb3uycGAJcMrwXioQicdKFlxFHxTQLvJdFxQRGEDVnITHdCXRu2sZhjGFedIdJHz7rUywCqYDwLP1/s1600/beadedbeadsblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0afceUzQyxrCQgBCdUrLwwE2Dtm1oEnGXkdPP7EidBgK3hzIAzh_dsRm_RZbMdcAb3uycGAJcMrwXioQicdKFlxFHxTQLvJdFxQRGEDVnITHdCXRu2sZhjGFedIdJHz7rUywCqYDwLP1/s320/beadedbeadsblue.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Blue beaded beads by Glenda of Dax Designs Bead Art: an original or not?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Originality can never be found in what others have done before us – the dictionary tells us that. So, if someone did it before you did it – then your beadwork is not original. This means that much of what we create as beaders isn't original. For instance, many of the beadweaving stitches (e.g. Ndebele, Peyote, Netting, etc.) and techniques (e.g. stringing, embroidery) we use in our beadwork have been done before us. However, what we can do differently is use those stitches and techniques to create something that others have not done in the way that we have done it. We can do this by using design elements of colour, shape, space, texture, size, line and direction in imaginative and daring new ways. In our designs originality lies in how we balance each of these elements. For instance, how we use the repetitions or gradations of colour tones or shapes to create harmony, what we choose to have as the dominant design element and how we balance that with the lines in the piece.<br />
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A key question to ask if we are musing on the originality of our work is, ‘Was it done this way, before I did it?’. From this, you can form more specific questions such as: 'Have others used colour in this way in their bead embroidery? Have others combined shapes and colours in the way I have in making a beaded bead? Have others created texture in the ways I am doing it in this peyote cuff?'. Your originality will be judged by how these questions are answered.<br />
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Play with doing what has not been done before using my <i>Originality musings matrix</i> below. Take a design you think is original and see what words best describe it - some words that invoke originality you could use are: bold, daring, fresh, unusual, inventive, non-conforming, unorthodox, novel …. . Phrases like, 'This reminds me of...', 'I've seen something like this in...' and 'Been there, done that...' suggest a piece lacks originality. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozkF9TXZRxyuLFgdDNHZ0M1rWWb-h_KtepIGkmzFt6bJe0a3H3XDhy8UeACR-ULoWH7wmRarR64AH3f6v_sLWjfD3EvzW0KLLzh57IO6TVbHuI9-aFHexM8B9MzM5W4Fzy3atry2koN9d/s1600/musings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozkF9TXZRxyuLFgdDNHZ0M1rWWb-h_KtepIGkmzFt6bJe0a3H3XDhy8UeACR-ULoWH7wmRarR64AH3f6v_sLWjfD3EvzW0KLLzh57IO6TVbHuI9-aFHexM8B9MzM5W4Fzy3atry2koN9d/s400/musings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Originality musings matrix by Glenda of Dax Designs Bead Art</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amongst the quest for originality, you might muse on the idea that originality is a relativity new quest in Western European cultures. Prior to the 18th century, to imitate was to show that you understood and appreciated what went before you. Artists, writers and musicians sought to emulate what went before them as a way of bringing excellence into their own work. For instance, Shakespeare is attributed with saying he valued "unnecessary invention". For more on this, see Koen de Winter – <i>Thoughts on originality</i> (<a href="http://www.designaddict.com/essais/Originality.html" target="_blank">link here</a>).<br />
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I'd love to hear what you think? What musings do you have that are original about originality?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334804292075099312.post-55041814997857632192012-04-02T20:31:00.000+10:002012-04-02T20:31:57.158+10:00Judging bead competitions: what makes winning beadwork for you?<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">The Bead Society of Victoria has recently launched its <a href="http://www.beadsociety.com.au/challenge.html" target="_blank">annual beading challenge</a>. As usual I have not found myself instantly inspired by this year’s challenge beads but I’m keen to enter. Entering competitions is a great way to challenge yourself to ‘bead big’ and ‘bead different’. I learn something new about beading and myself as a beader each time I enter a competition. Winning is lovely but it really isn’t the point for me. It’s the challenge of creating outside of my comfort zone that I love and learning through that. It’s from that sentiment that a great new beaders Facebook page has started – it’s for posting images of the entries that didn’t win the Bead Dreams competition. Pop by and see some wonderful work that didn’t win. </div><ul><li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Didnt-Make-it-into-Bead-Dreams-But-still-Winners/105171922860048">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Didnt-Make-it-into-Bead-Dreams-But-still-Winners/105171922860048</a></li>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Didn’t Make page made me reflect on how beadwork is judged to be a ‘winner’. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What caught the judge’s eye and why, what could be improved and what should never be done again and why would be terrific to learn more about. Even, if you don’t agree with the judge’s it’s a great point of reflection to push creativity. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit25vR-OhN9CcESxlKQsSK7nwSiJoBDl-z8BRjVPZhaQFC_ZgnYuXkrZ4-bz_6jWhD4nwUw3jRjbVVZYdvCyJltEZ_0YtaorTshCvd4xlS-9fJnx0DKWy8cKvbMvgeUG_hZ0PlqpuTy27E/s1600/vial2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit25vR-OhN9CcESxlKQsSK7nwSiJoBDl-z8BRjVPZhaQFC_ZgnYuXkrZ4-bz_6jWhD4nwUw3jRjbVVZYdvCyJltEZ_0YtaorTshCvd4xlS-9fJnx0DKWy8cKvbMvgeUG_hZ0PlqpuTy27E/s320/vial2.jpg" width="89" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cleopatra's Vial - a nearly winner</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>. Finalist in the 2009 Fire Mountain Gems Seed Beading Contest</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">With that in mind I’ve been scanning the web to see if there discernable patterns in how beading is judged. Here’s some of what I’ve learnt about what makes for winning beadwork:</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">originality</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">novelty</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">creativity</span> </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>cleverness</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>sophistication</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>beauty</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>overall impression</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>use of colour</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>attention to scale and other design elements</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>technical execution – no loose threads, etc. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>degree of technical difficulty</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>durability of construction</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">clear information about a designer's inspiration for a design</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">wearablity</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>adherence to any specific criteria or contest theme</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Many of these criteria are so subjective that I’ve decided to explore each in turn over the coming weeks as part of helping all of us who bead to judge when we think we have a ‘winning’ design. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0