A Bead Muse Muses

Fragments of the Past – Could spark future projects!

By Anne Marie July 6, 2022 July 5, 2022 0

Fragments of the past, often lead to new works in the future. Of course, I haven’t been doing much bead embroidery lately, but it has been on my mind, so all I need to do is jump start the project. The following two photos, are samples from two of my past workshops. Surprisingly enough, despite the fact that I love all of the pieces, I don’t remember ever actually wearing them. Do you find that happens with some of your work? I find that I tend to wear fairly simple jewelry, and oftentimes, no jewelry at all. Isn’t that crazy? …

A Bead Muse Muses

Hello Dolly – and a few other things!

By Anne Marie June 29, 2022 June 28, 2022 0

Hello Dolly was a theme of sorts, when I was teaching my “Natures Garden”, Beaded Art Doll class at BeadFX, several years back. I always had a fascination with Beaded Art Dolls (BAD), stemming back to an old Yahoo group of the same name (which eventually morphed, kicking and screaming, over to a Facebook group). I lurked on there for years (and am still lurking), before stitching my very first doll. Of course, after the first one, I had to create a workshop, then ended up designing, stitching, and stuffing countless BAD’s, for my students. Including the wool doll form …

A Bead Muse Muses

My Life in a Box!

By Anne Marie June 22, 2022 June 21, 2022 0

You might think that I’m a very out-of-the box person, but let me assure you, that my creative life lives in a series of boxes. Of course, I’m not talking about supplies, because that’s an entirely different blog post, which I will get to eventually. I’m terrible at dates, so I could not tell you how old some of these boxes are. Let’s just say that they started around 2007, because that’s as good a date as any. There’s a lot to be said for writing dates on your projects, but I’m bad at that as well, except for some …

A Bead Muse Muses

What’s Old is New Again: Isn’t that the truth?

By Anne Marie June 15, 2022 June 14, 2022 2

What’s old is new again, and I’m not just saying it! Of course, what’s old is also old, but that’s what memories are made of. Not to mention, what’s new, is still new, but that’s another story. First up is one of my favourite Bead Journal Project (BJP) series from the past. I never remember which year is which, and am too lazy to actually look it up, so let’s just say it might be 2009. This series is loosely based on colourful row houses. It was tons of fun, and includes many lasting memories. In each house, you will …

A Bead Muse Muses

Rocking Retro Plus!

By Anne Marie June 8, 2022 June 7, 2022 0

I’m definitely into the rocking retro plus mode! This week is no exception, because once I start down this path, it’s oh so hard to stop! Let’s face it! I’ve made one heck of a lot of stuff over the years, and I still have more to show you! Why do I have so much, and where do I store it all? Well, that’s a good question. I’ve always been a maker, and I wish that I had some rocking storage solutions for you, but I’m afraid not. I store in a combination of boxes, piled on shelves, and a …

A Bead Muse Muses

Sweet Bead Dreams: From the past!

By Anne Marie June 1, 2022 May 31, 2022 0

While wondering what to write about this week, I started musing about my Sweet Bead Dreams from the past. For me, that will always start with Robin Atkins, Bead Journal Project, as it had such a huge influence in my work, and started me working on series! As I’m not finished showing you my 2010 series, I thought that I’d show you a three more. More than just intuitive beading, they’re really Mixed Media, Visual Journals. They represent so much more than the beads, with the inclusion of stitch, paint, landscapes, and the echoes of whatever was going on in my …

A Bead Muse Muses

Oh Dear! Now what am I going to do?

By Anne Marie May 25, 2022 May 24, 2022 0

So, the big question is, now what am I going to do? I’ve just finished my 100 Day Project for 2022, and I’ll have some discretionary time to spend. But on what? Ideas are percolating, but may take a little time to gel in my creative brain, so please be patient! There may be a lull, but then again, there may not. I seem to be in a retro beading phase right now, so how about a shot of my first BJP (Bead Journal Project), for the 2010 year? This one started out as a “Bag of Beads” challenge for …

A Bead Muse Muses

Springtime Tales – Life in Toronto!

By Anne Marie May 18, 2022 May 17, 2022 0

To tell a tale of springtime in Toronto, is a challenge for sure! You never really know where it’s going, and when it’s going to end. Oh sure, the leaves have either unfurled, or are unfurling, and many of the buds are out! The magnolias are dropping their blooms, and the fruit trees are starting to put on a show. But did I mention, that the air is full of pollen? Achoo!! Toronto is a place where winter tends to linger, teases us with spring, then summer, then cooler weather again. Last week was quite warm, but we now have …

A Bead Muse Muses

Begin at the Beginning: Ready, set, bead!

By Anne Marie May 11, 2022 May 10, 2022 0

I’m just going to begin at the beginning, because that’s the absolute best way to start. But what do I mean by that? Well, my Intuitive Bead Embroidery adventures, started with Robin Atkins’ Bead Journal Project, towards the end of 2007. Before that, I had done a bit of bead embellishment on some of my fibre art pieces, but nothing to really write home about. Robin challenged us to make one piece per month, for a total of twelve months. They had to be the same shape, contain at least one bead, and tell a little about what was going …

A Bead Muse Muses

Rainy Evening Musings – Pondering the possibilities!

By Anne Marie May 4, 2022 May 3, 2022 0

Aren’t rainy evening musings just the best? I get to sit in front of my computer, with the window open, listening to the sound of both heavy rain, and the traffic. It’s very relaxing, and rain softens that which could often be thought of as an irritation. Instead, it’s just white noise to dream, and ponder by! Last Saturday was exciting, because BeadFX held a Trunk Show, to benefit Ukraine. Not to brag, but yours truly snagged some serious loot! It was a blast! There was a definite party atmosphere happening, people were enjoying both the friendly atmosphere, and camaraderie. …