#mixedmediajewelry

A Muddle of Bits!

By Anne Marie March 29, 2023 March 28, 2023 0

What is a muddle of bits? In this case, it’s a random collection of photos, that really do not bear any relationship to each other. I am the only constant in the muddle, and sometimes that confuses the heck out of me. You’d think that at my age, I would have a chosen a straighter art path to follow. But, no! I still like to putter along, while following my muse aimlessly. I get easily bored, am passionate about all kinds of techniques, and often make art on a whim. Although I admit to making single pieces of art, I …

A Bead Muse Muses

Pulp With a Side of Fibre!

By Anne Marie September 7, 2022 September 6, 2022 0

Pulp with a side of fibre, refers to the fact that the photos in this blog post, relate to paper, or fabric, or both. My stash runneth over in both areas, so it’s only fair that I get a chance to showcase them today. Let’s start with my paper bowls! I started out making them as plain as can be, but then I challenged myself to embellish them with some beading. I actually used wallpaper paste to form the bowls, but that made them brittle, and hard to easily bead. I’m sure that methyl cellulose would have worked, but instead …

A Bead Muse Muses

A Concrete Solution: Is needed to cement your ideas!

By Anne Marie August 17, 2022 August 16, 2022 0

A concrete solution is a capital idea! I’m afraid that I’ve been slacking off during the summer, so it’s definitely time to cement my fall plans! Let’s start this blog post off with some jewelry that I made out of Artist’s Concrete (purchased at BeadFX, of course). I absolutely love this stuff, because it has a clean industrial look, no smell, and is very easy to work with. I have taught classes for this in the past, and the necklaces in the first photo (and the directions for making them), were published in the Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine in 2019. …

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

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

March 2022 Bead Mat Update – Tune up the beading!

By Anne Marie March 30, 2022 March 30, 2022 0

My March 2022 Bead Mat Update is a study in change and adaptation. Change, because it’s past time I get on with more beading, and adaptation because it’s something that’s hard for me to do. As the saying goes, “the only way to eat an elephant, is one bite at a time”, and that’s what I’m trying to do. As I immerse myself more heavily in mixed media, I have a sneaking suspicion that I will need to get back to the basics, before I will be able to refresh my creative spirit. Oh, don’t worry, I won’t actually slow …

A Bead Muse Muses

Rocking the New Year – Mixed in with a huge dash of snow!

By Anne Marie January 19, 2022 January 20, 2022 3

I think that I’m rocking the new year, despite a few challenges! How about that massive snow storm yesterday? The last time Toronto got hit with this much snow, was in 2008, and I was actually here to witness it! I’m originally from Vancouver, but was transferred to Toronto in 2008, then back to Vancouver a year later. Oh, I was transferred back to Toronto again, a while later, but that’s a story for another time. Anyway, I worked at Finch and the 404 area (Gordon Baker Road). We got hit with a huge amount of snow. People panicked, and …

A Bead Muse Muses

Element of Surprise – or so it seems!

By Anne Marie January 12, 2022 January 12, 2022 4

Building an element of surprise into your pieces, is an interesting challenge. But why would you want to do that? To make your piece unique, that’s why! I already do some of this, but not on a conscious basis. But what if I decide to add it to some of my 2022 art pieces, on purpose? It will definitely challenge me, but I know that I won’t be able to commit to this change 100%. It will be an interesting way to take charge, and further develop my work. Growth is always important! I’ve been working on my pearl knotting …

A Bead Muse Muses

June 2021 Bead Mat Update: Getting back on track!

By Anne Marie June 30, 2021 June 29, 2021 0

My June 2021 bead mat update, is all about getting back on track. But that’s not all, it’s my promise to myself, to get right back into the swing of things. I think that I’ve been in a creative slump, and had spread myself too thin. The 100 Day Project was a high creative period for me, but things are a little flat these days. I normally follow a creative period, with another creative period, where I might be creating different things, but I’m always creating something. I’m trying to bead a little every week, but that’s not all, I …

A Bead Muse Muses

Gifts and Stuff – Oh the possibilities!

By Anne Marie December 16, 2020 December 15, 2020 0

Gifts and stuff are definitely the stars in this blog post! No, not an instructional post, but rather an exploration of possibilities. I’ve been making presents, for friends and family, for most of my adult life! I don’t have photos of earlier ones, but I’ve been keeping records of my favourites, for quite a few years. Not all were actually gifted, but all would be appropriate. Sit back, relax, and enjoy my gifts and stuff show! Retro is good! Let’s start out with a few favourites! Many were workshops, but somehow I managed to squeeze a few gifts out of …