For this class, I created my first large sculptural piece of work. I tackled a room divider. “Go big or go home”, I say. During the class time,
I worked on concentrating a single concept into a defined space using different bead stitches and techniques to fill the squares of the
room divider known as “My Two Cents Worth.” Here you will also see
that I started incorporated some other materials into the beadwork.
The room divider has coffee beans, pills, moose antler, and electrical
cord, shells and other objects.
I love the challenge presented when working with unusual objects.
The idea was to
create something
beautiful and draw
the viewer in for a
closer look.
The necklace made
with bullets (first
page of this article)
had to be shipped
from Alaska to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
for the 2009 Bead
Dreams show. It
was then I found
out live ammunition was considered “Dangerous Goods” by shippers and required special handling. The theme “Dangerous Goods” prompted the creation of several other pieces – some involving bullets, martial arts
throwing stars, throwing knives, chain saw blades, scissors and razor blades shown below.
Given the medium you work
with, do you intend your jewelry to be functional pieces or
more a work of art?
I have worn some of the pieces
to special events. No, they’re not
the typical kinds of things you
wear when running up to the grocery store. Most of the time, the
pieces are framed or displayed as
works of art.
When creating “High Caliber Collar”, mentally I reduced the bullets to their basic shape. A bullet
Martial Arts Throwing Stars