Today's offering is a pile of shard beads. Years ago I learned the faux ivory technique from an article by Tory Hughes in an issue of "Ornament" magazine. Over the years I have added my own twists and turns but it still came, originally, from her. In these beads a large rectangle of the ivory is stamped with prehistoric type images. Next the rectangle is torn to make ragged edges and organic, non-planned shapes. Now add a rhinestone here, a paper punched already cured faux coral shape there, and just for fun, some faux turquoise. Now form the beads over a garden gazing ball (derived from a L. Cozzi class), antique with your favorite oil paint mix and cure. After curing comes the sanding, backing and placing of hanging mechanism (derived from a R. Weltman class), sign and cure again. Last, more sanding and buffing. Now they can be hung in pairs, singles or make an entire collar of them.
As you can see from the references above, it takes a village to make a bead.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
2/365 FALLING LEAVES HOLLOW RECTANGLE BEAD
Day 2 is still unexciting but I am meeting my goal of creation, photographing, placing on the blog and also in a facebook group by the same name.
I decided to make a matching hollow bead for yesterdays bracelet. I added a swarovski crystal just to make it a little bit feminine.
I decided to make a matching hollow bead for yesterdays bracelet. I added a swarovski crystal just to make it a little bit feminine.
Monday, January 21, 2013
1/365 FALLING LEAVES B-RACELET
Well, we had a lot of people look but no takers to join me on the journey. Still I am going to do the deed.
Starting slowly and humbly. I had purchased some clearance base metal cuffs in the past and today I added a 4+ year old leaf cane overlay on gold premo. I have had a lot of difficulty with photos of really shiny items so I took this one before the final sanding and buffing. Now it is shiny and that little red blemish is gone.
Starting slowly and humbly. I had purchased some clearance base metal cuffs in the past and today I added a 4+ year old leaf cane overlay on gold premo. I have had a lot of difficulty with photos of really shiny items so I took this one before the final sanding and buffing. Now it is shiny and that little red blemish is gone.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Challenge Update!
Hi Everyone!
Now that the holidays are over and we have had a day or so to regroup it is time to get serious about the B-B-B-B-B-BAD Challenge 2013.
Questions answered here:
I have been asked some very good questions and thought there might be others who didn't want to ask but wanted to know so here is some additional information.
I think you may be overwhelmed by the idea of daily creativity so I am going to help you see it isn't scary at all.
Let's say you are a B-asketry person and it usually takes you about 3 days to finish a basket. Photo of materials and/or start of basket is day one post, day two can be a written update (i.e. I added another 3 inches to the height of the basket) with or without photo. This would continue until the project is complete.
Are you like me and have a finger in many creative pies but cannot figure out how to fit them into the "B" of the challenge? If you are a quilter your "B" is the block of the quilt you are working on. Do you sew? One of the things on my to do list this year is to make a B-edspread with matching B-edroom curtains for the front bedroom. See how easily this bit of creativity fits into the challenge?
Do you knit or crochet? Another project on my list is an orange/green/yellow variegated knit tunic. Guess what the name of the pattern is? Bobble beaded dress. I am not making this up. I also have at least 3 prayer shawls to make this year and one of them must be blue for that is the recipient's favorite color. I figure those two projects alone will meet 14-20 days of my challenge posts as they go from start to finish, row by row on up to completion. See how easy it is to meet the challenge requirements?
Are you a beader? Post daily with a photo to let us see how you are doing.
This doesn't have to be hard folks. Don't over think it.
Is it the thought of trying to upload photos that is keeping you from taking the plunge? Okay. We have two places to make it easier. I have made a facebook group and a Flicker group, same name same name for both, Bad Challenge 2013. With these new phones a quick shot and post to facebook is a snap.
Is it the thought of not making it to the end of the challenge which has you hesitating? Look, guys. Here is the story. I started this darn thing twice before and didn't make it. But I refuse to give up because the prize - 365 days of documented creativity - is such an appealing idea to me. I have invited others to play as well so we can encourage each other and keep ourselves going.
WHO IS WITH ME?
So far I have had many inquiries but no takers. It is time to make a decision so you will be ready when January 21, 2013 rolls around. The facebook group is by invitation. Drop me a line saying you want to participate on that site and I will "friend" you and add you to the group. The Flicker site has a join button with the rules being simply that you have read the rules on the first post of this blog and agree to them. I look forward to seeing some "count me in" comments in the next couple of days.
Reminder: I can be reached at facebook as myself, Dakotah Flannery or at the following email accounts: polyclaydak@gmail.com; badchallenge2013@gmail.com
If you still think the challenge is too much for you or you cannot get a team together, please pass this on to your friends and guilds.
Now that the holidays are over and we have had a day or so to regroup it is time to get serious about the B-B-B-B-B-BAD Challenge 2013.
Questions answered here:
I have been asked some very good questions and thought there might be others who didn't want to ask but wanted to know so here is some additional information.
I think you may be overwhelmed by the idea of daily creativity so I am going to help you see it isn't scary at all.
Let's say you are a B-asketry person and it usually takes you about 3 days to finish a basket. Photo of materials and/or start of basket is day one post, day two can be a written update (i.e. I added another 3 inches to the height of the basket) with or without photo. This would continue until the project is complete.
Are you like me and have a finger in many creative pies but cannot figure out how to fit them into the "B" of the challenge? If you are a quilter your "B" is the block of the quilt you are working on. Do you sew? One of the things on my to do list this year is to make a B-edspread with matching B-edroom curtains for the front bedroom. See how easily this bit of creativity fits into the challenge?
Do you knit or crochet? Another project on my list is an orange/green/yellow variegated knit tunic. Guess what the name of the pattern is? Bobble beaded dress. I am not making this up. I also have at least 3 prayer shawls to make this year and one of them must be blue for that is the recipient's favorite color. I figure those two projects alone will meet 14-20 days of my challenge posts as they go from start to finish, row by row on up to completion. See how easy it is to meet the challenge requirements?
Are you a beader? Post daily with a photo to let us see how you are doing.
This doesn't have to be hard folks. Don't over think it.
Is it the thought of trying to upload photos that is keeping you from taking the plunge? Okay. We have two places to make it easier. I have made a facebook group and a Flicker group, same name same name for both, Bad Challenge 2013. With these new phones a quick shot and post to facebook is a snap.
Is it the thought of not making it to the end of the challenge which has you hesitating? Look, guys. Here is the story. I started this darn thing twice before and didn't make it. But I refuse to give up because the prize - 365 days of documented creativity - is such an appealing idea to me. I have invited others to play as well so we can encourage each other and keep ourselves going.
WHO IS WITH ME?
So far I have had many inquiries but no takers. It is time to make a decision so you will be ready when January 21, 2013 rolls around. The facebook group is by invitation. Drop me a line saying you want to participate on that site and I will "friend" you and add you to the group. The Flicker site has a join button with the rules being simply that you have read the rules on the first post of this blog and agree to them. I look forward to seeing some "count me in" comments in the next couple of days.
Reminder: I can be reached at facebook as myself, Dakotah Flannery or at the following email accounts: polyclaydak@gmail.com; badchallenge2013@gmail.com
If you still think the challenge is too much for you or you cannot get a team together, please pass this on to your friends and guilds.
Friday, December 21, 2012
THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!
Disclaimer: This first entry will be lots to read without pretty pictures. Hang in there, though, as we get going there will be eye candy galore.
So here it is folks, the beginning of a year full of creation and inspiration.
What does "B-B-B-B-B-BAD" stand for? Originally this was a personal challenge for myself to create something (primarily of polymer) every day for one year. I started twice and twice I let the ball drop into a deep void. The "B's" are for Beads, Brooches, Barrettes, Bracelets, Buttons and Bowls. Over time I have expanded the concept to include many other artistic items beginning with a "B" or using a "B" in the description. Examples include but are not limited to: Boxes, Baskets, Baubles, Bling, Bright, Blog, Book, Blue, etc.
Because I now know many, many other artists through the International Polymer Clay Guild and through facebook, I have decided to invite others to take this years journey with me.
The idea here is to challenge ourselves and to inspire each other. It is not a competition. This is a daily challenge for 365 days. Because we are in the middle of the holidays here I am going to start the challenge one month from today which will be January 21, 2013 and it will end January 21, 2014.
As with any endeavor which involves more than a couple of individuals there have to be some rules. I have tried to keep the rules simple and as few as possible and here they are.
RULES
1. Challenge will be hosted by myself, Dakotah Flannery and I will have the final word in any debate.
2. Challenge is open to individuals or to teams (see "Team" info below) from any country existing now or created during the challenge period. Individual/team agrees to submit daily photo of creative endeavors in accordance with the rules.
3. All content submitted is for general audiences. No adult material allowed. If you know of anyone in the entire world who would not want their child to see it, do not submit it. Offensive photos will be deleted and the individual who submits offensive material will be dropped from this and all future challenges hosted by myself.
4. The challenge was begun to showcase polymer, but since it has been expanded, polymer does not have to be the medium of choice. Any artist creating lasting tactile objects meeting the "B" headings may participate. While I appreciate all the arts, for the purposes of this challenge the following categories will not be included: performance art, writers, poets, songwriters, singers, graffiti, videos/tapes.
5. All materials/photos must be the work of the artist/team submitting. Please submit in 72 dpi so the site we choose will not bog down and discourage viewing.
6. All materials/photos submitted must have been created during the period of January 21, 2013 through January 21, 2014.
7. Participants agree host will remove them from the challenge if they miss more than 7 days postings without prior notification to host. Once removed a participant will not be reinstated. (Before you let this one throw you, look further down to "52 free days".)
8. Participants agree, by joining and participating, to an item swap in celebration of making it through the challenge. Swap will take place at the end of the challenge and details will be covered under the heading "Swap" below.
TEAMS
Because I want as many people as possible to participate and because I know many may find the idea of creating a piece of work every day daunting, I am opening the challenge to teams.
TEAM RULES
1. Teams may be comprised of 2-30 individuals. (i.e. two or more friends or a guild)
2. Teams will choose a name for the team and a team leader.
3. The team leader will be responsible for submitting the names of all the participants to me. Any names I am not familiar with may have trouble submitting. Team leaders will also be responsible for making sure all members of the team know which day(s) they are responsible to submit and must be ready to submit if any member is unable to fulfill her(his) obligation.
4. Each individual of the team will be responsible for a swap item and agrees to the year end swap.
THE SWAP
As a last hurray and gift to ourselves all participants will submit one item from their creative journey at the end of the year. Participants agree to choose their favorite piece from the year to swap. The first week of January 2014 I will place the names of all participants in a bowl and draw two at a time until all are paired. In the event of an uneven number of participants I will swap with two. Because the challenge is open to folks from all over the world, please save enough pennies between now and then for international shipping. (If you put away 25 cents each day you will have close to $90 which should be more than enough.) If you know, now, the cost would be prohibitive for you, be sure to remind me before the pairings and I will be sure to pair you with someone closer to your area.
56 FREE DAYS
Let's face it, 365 days of creativity is a daunting proposition. Most all of us wear many hats, juggle more than 2 balls at any given time and have just plain off days. How do we participate if we go on vacation? For this reason I have included the following 52 free days as follows:
1. 13 times during the 365 day challenge you may submit a book review. The book may be a "how to" or a compilation of artistic works (i.e., Polymer clay for the first time, any of the Lark Publications 500 Series, etc.) Book review will be 2 to 4 paragraphs only, must include the author's name, preferably the ISBN (so others can find it) and should include why you recommend it to the challenge participants. Please do not include a photo of the book as I am not sure whether or not this would be copyright infringement. While you may review a book someone else has already reviewed, please try to approach your review from a different viewpoint of the first (other) reviewer(s). Remember, we are trying to inspire each other.
2. 13 times during the 365 day challenge you may submit a blog review. For the blog review a complete and correct address must be included so others can find it. Blogs reviewed must be of artists who create items matching the "B" challenge. Negative reviews are not allowed. This review should also be 2 to 4 paragraphs long. If the blog has been previously reviewed please refer to a specific date so we can see the piece you found most inspiring. Under no circumstances may you use photos from the blogger's site without written permission from the blogger.
3. 13 times during the 365 day challenge you may have a "boo-boo" day. This would include a photo of any disaster encountered along the journey. We all have them. Did the cat take all your beads and thread for the bracelet you were going to make that day and tangle them irredeemably? Did you forget and let the oven get too hot and so completely discolor your bright white polymer piece? Those are both boo-boos.
4. 13 times during the 365 day challenge you may have a "beg off" day. Beg offs should be used when you know you are going where there is no way to submit anything at all. Will you be in the hospital overnight? Are you going where there is no internet access? Good times for a beg off day. Whenever possible, please let me know ahead of time you are taking beg off days.
To help avoid all beg off days I offer the following suggestions for days away from home. Remember that many mediums are available to you. Bracelets and brooches do not have to be made out of your traditional materials. Think outside the box. Know you are going on vacation, think ahead. I know, for example, I will be going to Synergy3 and visiting relatives for at least 14 days in March and most probably on the road for another 15-20 days in April. I plan to have made up many focal bead, barrette and bracelet blanks to zentangle on during my travels. I can put it all in a shoebox and still meet my creative challenge responsibilities each day.
==============================================
We have an entire month to work out how to submit and I am open to suggestion. Basically, your job, if you choose to participate is to make something every day, take a photo of it and submit the photo to the group site.
Questions and suggestions should be sent to:
www.badchallenge2013@gmail.com
So here it is folks, the beginning of a year full of creation and inspiration.
What does "B-B-B-B-B-BAD" stand for? Originally this was a personal challenge for myself to create something (primarily of polymer) every day for one year. I started twice and twice I let the ball drop into a deep void. The "B's" are for Beads, Brooches, Barrettes, Bracelets, Buttons and Bowls. Over time I have expanded the concept to include many other artistic items beginning with a "B" or using a "B" in the description. Examples include but are not limited to: Boxes, Baskets, Baubles, Bling, Bright, Blog, Book, Blue, etc.
Because I now know many, many other artists through the International Polymer Clay Guild and through facebook, I have decided to invite others to take this years journey with me.
The idea here is to challenge ourselves and to inspire each other. It is not a competition. This is a daily challenge for 365 days. Because we are in the middle of the holidays here I am going to start the challenge one month from today which will be January 21, 2013 and it will end January 21, 2014.
As with any endeavor which involves more than a couple of individuals there have to be some rules. I have tried to keep the rules simple and as few as possible and here they are.
RULES
1. Challenge will be hosted by myself, Dakotah Flannery and I will have the final word in any debate.
2. Challenge is open to individuals or to teams (see "Team" info below) from any country existing now or created during the challenge period. Individual/team agrees to submit daily photo of creative endeavors in accordance with the rules.
3. All content submitted is for general audiences. No adult material allowed. If you know of anyone in the entire world who would not want their child to see it, do not submit it. Offensive photos will be deleted and the individual who submits offensive material will be dropped from this and all future challenges hosted by myself.
4. The challenge was begun to showcase polymer, but since it has been expanded, polymer does not have to be the medium of choice. Any artist creating lasting tactile objects meeting the "B" headings may participate. While I appreciate all the arts, for the purposes of this challenge the following categories will not be included: performance art, writers, poets, songwriters, singers, graffiti, videos/tapes.
5. All materials/photos must be the work of the artist/team submitting. Please submit in 72 dpi so the site we choose will not bog down and discourage viewing.
6. All materials/photos submitted must have been created during the period of January 21, 2013 through January 21, 2014.
7. Participants agree host will remove them from the challenge if they miss more than 7 days postings without prior notification to host. Once removed a participant will not be reinstated. (Before you let this one throw you, look further down to "52 free days".)
8. Participants agree, by joining and participating, to an item swap in celebration of making it through the challenge. Swap will take place at the end of the challenge and details will be covered under the heading "Swap" below.
TEAMS
Because I want as many people as possible to participate and because I know many may find the idea of creating a piece of work every day daunting, I am opening the challenge to teams.
TEAM RULES
1. Teams may be comprised of 2-30 individuals. (i.e. two or more friends or a guild)
2. Teams will choose a name for the team and a team leader.
3. The team leader will be responsible for submitting the names of all the participants to me. Any names I am not familiar with may have trouble submitting. Team leaders will also be responsible for making sure all members of the team know which day(s) they are responsible to submit and must be ready to submit if any member is unable to fulfill her(his) obligation.
4. Each individual of the team will be responsible for a swap item and agrees to the year end swap.
THE SWAP
As a last hurray and gift to ourselves all participants will submit one item from their creative journey at the end of the year. Participants agree to choose their favorite piece from the year to swap. The first week of January 2014 I will place the names of all participants in a bowl and draw two at a time until all are paired. In the event of an uneven number of participants I will swap with two. Because the challenge is open to folks from all over the world, please save enough pennies between now and then for international shipping. (If you put away 25 cents each day you will have close to $90 which should be more than enough.) If you know, now, the cost would be prohibitive for you, be sure to remind me before the pairings and I will be sure to pair you with someone closer to your area.
56 FREE DAYS
Let's face it, 365 days of creativity is a daunting proposition. Most all of us wear many hats, juggle more than 2 balls at any given time and have just plain off days. How do we participate if we go on vacation? For this reason I have included the following 52 free days as follows:
1. 13 times during the 365 day challenge you may submit a book review. The book may be a "how to" or a compilation of artistic works (i.e., Polymer clay for the first time, any of the Lark Publications 500 Series, etc.) Book review will be 2 to 4 paragraphs only, must include the author's name, preferably the ISBN (so others can find it) and should include why you recommend it to the challenge participants. Please do not include a photo of the book as I am not sure whether or not this would be copyright infringement. While you may review a book someone else has already reviewed, please try to approach your review from a different viewpoint of the first (other) reviewer(s). Remember, we are trying to inspire each other.
2. 13 times during the 365 day challenge you may submit a blog review. For the blog review a complete and correct address must be included so others can find it. Blogs reviewed must be of artists who create items matching the "B" challenge. Negative reviews are not allowed. This review should also be 2 to 4 paragraphs long. If the blog has been previously reviewed please refer to a specific date so we can see the piece you found most inspiring. Under no circumstances may you use photos from the blogger's site without written permission from the blogger.
3. 13 times during the 365 day challenge you may have a "boo-boo" day. This would include a photo of any disaster encountered along the journey. We all have them. Did the cat take all your beads and thread for the bracelet you were going to make that day and tangle them irredeemably? Did you forget and let the oven get too hot and so completely discolor your bright white polymer piece? Those are both boo-boos.
4. 13 times during the 365 day challenge you may have a "beg off" day. Beg offs should be used when you know you are going where there is no way to submit anything at all. Will you be in the hospital overnight? Are you going where there is no internet access? Good times for a beg off day. Whenever possible, please let me know ahead of time you are taking beg off days.
To help avoid all beg off days I offer the following suggestions for days away from home. Remember that many mediums are available to you. Bracelets and brooches do not have to be made out of your traditional materials. Think outside the box. Know you are going on vacation, think ahead. I know, for example, I will be going to Synergy3 and visiting relatives for at least 14 days in March and most probably on the road for another 15-20 days in April. I plan to have made up many focal bead, barrette and bracelet blanks to zentangle on during my travels. I can put it all in a shoebox and still meet my creative challenge responsibilities each day.
==============================================
We have an entire month to work out how to submit and I am open to suggestion. Basically, your job, if you choose to participate is to make something every day, take a photo of it and submit the photo to the group site.
Questions and suggestions should be sent to:
www.badchallenge2013@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)