Finally

You might think by my title that I have finally finished my January project, not quite.  I finally posted my first picture to my blog of the beginnings of my January piece.  While I am further along than the picture suggests I wanted to at least have something to "show and tell." I am usually a very shy person so sharing my thoughts and/or creativity is a very scary process.  If you care to take a look, come on by to my blog, viewers are always welcome!

Water Horse

I've finished my January piece, "Water Horse". I've posted images and inspiration here.

I'm still mulling over exactly what direction I should go for my February piece - too many ideas are whirling about to decide just yet!

Kelly
Mackin-Art

January BJP from Gale in Vancouver

I have finish step 1 of my 2010 project. My pieces are 3 inch circles, which will be mounted on a wall hanging at the end of the 12 months. I am working in monochromatic to learn more about color values, hues, shading, etc. I am off to a great start! I don't have an active blog right now, so I'm not posting photos yet. Thanks, Gale

January Page Done-One for sorrow

Have been enjoying looking at everyones blogs, pictures and comments across the three blogs. It's a fun and new experience for me to be online like this. Thanks Robin, and everyone else for the experience. See the beast at:

http://crowwoman-terri.blogspot.com/

Photoshop Class

Hi BJPers and CONGRATS on all the finished pieces!!!!! You are sooooooooo fine!!!! I'm almost there... maybe today.

Thought you might want to know... One of our members, Christi C. (Sweetpea Path) has signed up to take an on-line Photoshop class, here. It still has openings.

Today I spent some time reading about the class, looking at the instuctor's (Susan Tuttle) blog, Susan's Flickr page and some of her students' work on Flickr. It looks to me like her class would offer individual attention, flexibility and basic training in photo editing using either Photoshop Elements or Photoshop CS. She says that a free, current version of Photoshop Elements is available to students to download for the class. It's a trial offer by Photoshop, so you don't get to keep it forever, but it means you could try it for the class and see if you like it.

Maybe one (or more?!) of you wants to join Christi in the class???!!!!

Cheers and have fun with February!

Robin A.

January in New Mexico

The month of January always seems to go by too fast however the

"beads bead on".

New goodies can now be seen at http://beads4jody.blogspot.com/ 

Wishing everyone a good month in February.

A Garden for the Birds - Installment One

A Garden for the Birds - Installment One - The Purchase

I've blogged the text and photos for my January effort. Since the magpie will be installment two for February I am a bit ahead but that is great because I can see lots of things piling up the next two months...

Gerry K.
http://olderrose.blogspot.com

My studio

This is where it all begins....http://unnur-threadpaintandbeads.blogspot.com/ Does anyone know if there is such a thing as " tarnish free " bugle beads or a way to clean them?

"Snow Shoe"

I finished (for now) my January project and I have posted it on my blog which is here.

-karen in wi

blog: http://cre8tivekick.blogspot.com/

Finished my January Doll!

I'm very excited to have completed January's project. It took me all month to do since it had to be interspersed with other necessary tasks -- I can see that this is how it's going to go all year. :) You can see a photo of the finished piece, a scan of the original sketch, and some technique notes at my web site, Fresh Monsters. It's great to be a part of this group -- I've been having so much fun looking at all your work.

Feel free to leave a comment when you drop by my blog. I'd love to know what you think.

Kali

done for this month.

My page for January is done. Or I should say, the front is done. I have to add a stif filling and a backside. I'm thinking of making a beaded fringe at the bottom but haven't decided yet. I'm showing 2 detail pics of the page. For the whole page, see my blog. It was a joy to make and I learned several things already. I love to hear your opinions and suggestions. Things can always get better.

Making Progress

I really had a hard time picking a size. If it was too big I figured I would never get it done, and if it was too small it might not be enough of a challenge. But I have picked a size and am making some progress. I hope to have it done my the 1st, otherwise I will be working on two projects in February. It is all on my blog.
mk

Up And Running

Thanks to the encouragement and help from many of you, I have been successful in downloading my January piece.
I am thrilled to be taking part in this project and think you are all amazing, talented and generous.
So if you have a little spare time away from your own beading and busy lives you can view my very, very first public piece at http://sydsider.blogspot.com

WIP January

I am still working on it, but blogged some of the process here if you are interested!

Sheba

Seattle WA Artist, Teacher, Triathlete and Dog Mommy

And So It Goes.......

Finally remembered how to post on the blog (lol), so I'm just now updating on my progress. Since this is my first BJP I started small (4" x 6") but now that I'm almost done I wish I'd gone larger, may have to do this month again later on, we'll see. This project has opened so many doors for me! I'm starting on my own blog for the first time, what an adventure! Will post it here when I'm ready. Also, this led me into crazy quilting and lots of new fabric embellishing techniques that I've decided to explore. But 1st and foremost is the bead project for me. I'm just so inspired by everyone else's works and postings on here. Thank you all so much!

A Garden for the Birds in Twelve Installments

First I wanted to do the birds and then tell the story and then finally figured how to attach the story to the birds so I made a new January page. If you follow this story you'll learn how a 20 acre garden for the birds turned my life upside down…

You’ll find out how I started this garden in May 1980 in a Zone 4 arid region with next to no water and how having no water turned into a blessing.

How this garden which I simply started to attract birds for my husband led to :

-a collection of hundreds of old-fashioned roses
-a nursery specializing in plants for the birds.
-the sale 10s of thousands of plants using no plastic pots
-thousands of people visiting the garden to learn to attract birds and conserve water
-eroded land turned into a forest
-being featured in a one book and in Better Homes and Gardens
-sending rootstock to David Austin’s breeding program
-speaking engagements around the world
-hugs from former customers who still bring me pictures of their gardens. …
-a wonderful wild garden full of birds and wildlife that started with a dead tree….. 　 　
The new January page is on my blog (http://olderrose.blogspot.com) and I should have the installment one attached by the end of the week...

Taking & Editing Quality Photos of Your Beadwork

I just spent most of the day writing a post about how to take and edit quality photos of your beadwork, including your BJP pieces! You can see it on my blog, here.

For example, below are an original picture and the same picture after editing it...



It really feels great to be able to post pictures that adequately show the quality, colors and attractiveness of my beading. If you're frustrated with your pictures, I hope my post will help!

Robin A.

New January piece!

I'm busy working on my new January piece (the magpie will be Feb) and am soooooooo excited because I finally can see how I can do the journal pieces and incorporate the story as well. I'm off today to the hardware store for some metal tubing and Michaels for matte board and the fabric store for felt...

I chose the birds theme because this May is the 30th anniversary of a personal commitment which took me on a wild journey....

Resizing Images

I'm taking the liberty of posting Barbara's question because I think it's a good question that might not get read in the comments thread.

Barbara said...
I have Photoshop and use it, but I'm wondering if I am making the best use of it. Please share what "Tools" are your favorites, and I've noticed this -- if I reduce the size of a photo *too much* it will not enlarge when clicked on my blog. Instead it stays the same size. Folks have told me how they wish they could see it enlarged. Do you have a particular percentage or number that you use when re-sizing a photo? Please share details of this program, thanks.

Gerry's answer: When I download photos to the computer they come in around 3500-4000 pixels... The majority of the time I reduce them to 700 pixels which allows them to fill most screens when clicked. If there it is a lot of detail I will reduce only to 1000 but then people have to move it around unless they have a big screen.
I do a lot of photo editing for my son's business and anything lower than 700 cannot still produce a good glossy print with lots of detail ..... My opinion only!!

My one really important tip::: Do your cropping BEFORE you reduce your photo's pixel size. If you reduce then crop you lose additional pixels that may bring your photo down too low. I almost always "sharpen" every photo... my favorite tool!


I use both Photoshop and Image Composer (part of MS Front Page Web software) each having their strong points... BUT without spending any money Googles's Picasa (FREE) has amazing photo editing abilities which are presented in a easily understandable way... I would recommend it highly for those not too sure of their computer skills or don't want to invest a lot of money..


There is a good book "Photoshop Elements for Dummies" It's well worth the money and time to go through it chapter by chapter. Even though I was very comfortable with Photoshop, I picked up a lot of little extra tricks from it...

BTW Robin thanks for the camera info and I did find one last night on E-Bay (used) and bought it... I wanted a Nikon D70 like Susan Elliott uses but out of my budget range right now.....definitely on my wish list tho.

Not much going on here

I thought I'd pop in and say how much I'm enjoying hearing about everyone's bjp's and looking at your blogs.....it's all wonderful.

I have done no more than decide on size and colours, I have everything ready to start, but with temperatures here (sub-tropical Australia) sitting between 35 and 40 celsius......95 to 104 fahrenheit.....and almost 100% humidity, it's a little too hot and slippery to bead.....to do much at all really.

In the meantime, I'll just keep sipping cold drinks, try to stay cool and enjoy reading all the blogs.............

Camera

I know Robin that I saw somewhere that you mentioned a camera you used and loved. Your photographs of beads are so great. Would you share again what your camera is? I'm about to upgrade and looking for recommendations so if anyone else has the camera of their dreams, would you jump in and mention it....

Gerry Krueger
Spokane, WA
http://olderrose.blogspot.com

At last BJP 2008 done ... Ready for 2010

Here is! I finally ended in July and August. I just have to finish to fix them onto a painting. My mind is now free to begin the January page of the BJP 2010.

After reflexion, (without paralyzing too much my mind!!!!) I decided to work on a size bigger than last year. Circles of 4 inches or 10 cms in diameters seemed to me sometimes too small. I am going to make rectangles of 9 x 7 inches or 23 x 17 cms. So I hope to have more place to mix more materials under beads.

The snow which fell recently gave me the theme of my page of January. To make you an idea or see my realizations, here is my blog.

I had not visited blogs since a few days and it took me all afternoon long. There were so many beautiful things to see. Moreover I found good advices. A big bravo to all of you. I expect that this year will be a great one! I am impatient to see your realizations.

BRAVE NEW WORLD

I'm dizzy from going back and forth between blogs. Not sure where I am now.....hope I'm in the right place.
Anyhow, everyone seems to be on their way to a very interesting and creative year and I am thrilled to be part of this project.
And as soon as I work out where, how and who, I hope to be able to share my pieces with all of you wonderful beaders.
As soon I work out my address I will post.

PS. Any tips on publishing would be greatly appreciated.

Making a tiny bit of progress...

I actually started beading my January vessel - yay for me!  ;-)  I took a picture of my progress (not much at this point), and it's on my blog.  I think that tonight I'll make quite a bit of progress, since I have no other commitments.  I really wanted to work on it last night, but I had to teach a bead making class.

I also created another vessel to go into my Etsy shop, and that one has to be beaded as well.  So now I have 2 needles going - when I get tired of one, I switch to the other.  I know, I know... sounds a little ADD, right?  You folks are now on to me...LOL!

my January piece in progress

This is what I started with: a piece of parfait dyed cotton, a stamp I cut of a fly fungus in Art Nouveau style, Pebeo Setacolor pearl for stamping, cotton scrim and some eyelash yarn.

After stamping, painting and coughing I realized I didn't have the right greens. DD brought them home from work for me today, so I've been beading away this evening. Made the ripe and unripe blackberries last night by wrapping small beads around ponybeads. So far I've used 4 greens, one purple and one pale yellow. I have a pale pistache green bead to add to the bottom area and I'm thinking some golden yellows and browns there too. And I need some weeds around the flyfungus. I love encrusted.

Beading with a friend......

A friend and I get together about every 6-8 weeks and bead for an entire day. She always comes to my house so I don't have to drive and in turn I make her a gourmet lunch.. Today we had Moroccan lamb and a green salad with a chocolate orange tart for dessert..

Usually I'm lucky to get one necklace and earrings finished but today I was able to whip out three. All are from mismatched beads, thrift store pieces disassembled, and vintage jewelry restyled. Some of the beads on the green necklace are beads my DIL brought back for me from South Africa.

I'm almost done my first BJP

Last night I thought I was going to put my project to bed but still have about a 1/3rd of it to complete... still thinking on what I will do next. I just uploaded my progress on my blog.

Still having problems with my link: My blog is www.cqnickilee.blogspot.com

January post

I've finished my first journal page and posted pictures of it on my blog.  

My apologies...

I did the exact same thing that drives me to distraction with others. I showed the piece and then forget to add the details until reminded in a comment. This is quite small...6"x6". Both the embroidery and the beadwork are done on the same piece of dyed and patched muslin. I did the embroidery first and then the beadwork. I did paint the button in the fan which is about 1 1/4 inch around.

For the record, I do really appreciate when people add sizes and other pertinent details about their posted work.

January New Mexico Beader

Am thrilled to once again be here among some very unique beader's.  I know that I will learn and appreciate all the "new beading idea's" that we all share here.

I must admit to that I am still learning my way around writing into these blogs.


You can check my latest at http://beads4jody.blogspot.com/ 

Also my friend Kathaleen Praeuner another New Mexico beader signed up for the project at http://beadingprincessnm.blogspot.com, (Think she still needs to have her blog added to the list)

PS
Thank you to Robin and all the Beader Journal helpers who help make this all work, so that we can ALL enjoy the beautiful bead journals online.

January from the Bad Liz

Surprising to myself, I finished two beaded knobs this month. I am pretty stunned that I thought of something and just DID it (as opposed to putting it on my list). Since I have been down for most of the week not able to breathe because of a nasty chest cold - wow, breathing is pretty important you know - some medication-induced ideas were flying.

Check it out - it's on my blog.

p.s. I'll be better, I know. And if I am not, I work with doctors - I'll be fine.

Start with a path!

This was my very first attempt at bead embroidery a couple years ago. I just knew from looking at Robin's work that I wanted to do this but did not have the foggiest idea where to begin. So I just started by making a bugle bead path that extends from the path on my painted button and I worked out from there...and before I knew it the piece was done.

When I took Robin's class this fall she said when she is without inspiration or an area is overwhelming she starts with a path and works out from there. I could hardly believe my ears. I believe in paths.....

So today I received an email from someone interested in bead embroidery and wanted my advice. Should she take an online class or buy one of Robin's books...I told her to skip the class and buy Robin's "Heart to Hands Bead Embroidery" since the first half is inspiration and the second half is technique.. Buy the book and make a path!!!!

Gerry K.

p.s. The neutral embroidered background is the fan's memory!!!

I'm new to blogging and new to the Bead Journal Project. My January piece is coming along. I love the project and feel that it is really changing my life. Doing more original things. Letting my self go and not worry about the end result. Taking time out of a busy life for me! I'm taking a break from working on my piece and thought I'd check in to the blog. It's very interesting and encouraging, and I hope to participate more so I can get better acquainted with the other participants who are posting.

Ann

Finally a decision

Hi fellow beaders! A month into this and I finally have got something started. Not actually much to show, but HEY!? I am a third time BJPer, but a first time blogger. I will try to follow the deadlines as much as I can (I actually like them!) but it looks like I've got two books running this year, so I might be jumping about. Feel free to peek in on my progress and other bits at http://crowwoman-terri.blogspot.com/
Peace T

My apologies Bead Journalers, I meant to post to my personal blog and hit the wrong spot. I guess I'll blame it on my cold. Again, my apologies.

Well, I have finally started my January journal page #1. We were in Texas for Christmas and New Years with our Son and his family. We had a wonderful visit but lousy weather. I was really hoping for more warm days, but thankful for the ones we had. Now we are home, both battling colds, but I am happy to be finally working on at least one of the two journals I hope to complete. One bead at a time..........The attached photo was taken at the "Grinch" Ice show at the Gaylord Texan, a huge beautiful Lodge near Dallas. What an amazing place.

still not started

I'm still busy finishing stuff for swaps. I'd love to get started on my piece for bjp.
I've recently finished 4 AAs (album amicorum pages 6"x8", 15 x 20 cm) and each has beading on it.
this first one is an aa for Marijke S. with a poem about the sea as theme

This is one for Aty with leaves as a theme.
Background fabric is a parfait dyed piece of cotton. Appliqué of organza.

These are 2 with crazy roses all made from hand dyed fabrics. They are for Margreet and Janny.

Doing an overview....

I set the quail aside and beaded the little nuthatch. We have both the pygmy and the red-breasted nuthatches. I chose the latter because it is so much more colorful. Then I decided to transfer all the designs I have sketched so far on muslin so I could see them all together. The quail is kinda static but I'm happy with the rest.

Gerry K.
Spokane, WA
http://olderrose.blogspot.com

I have a blog now. I am constantly adding to it, if you are interested, check it often!

http://unnur-threadpaintandbeads.blogspot.com/

Lets try this again!

This is "Orb"...The center circle is slightly puffed up.( stuffed with cotton) Thread,sequins,glass beads, and acrylics on canvas.24"x24"

Some Notes On My Process

Well here it is, just about the middle of January, and all I have to show for this month's journal page are a couple of sketches.  I went to bed last night thinking about my latest sketch and how I want to improve my design.  Then a little voice said to me, "You're getting caught up in analysis paralysis!" - an all-too-familiar habit from back in my high-tech days.  So I promptly went to sleep, and this morning I decided that I'm going with what I have.  I'm hoping that I can make that vessel some time today so I can start all the beading on Wednesday (I have to wait for the piece to dry before I get out my needle and thread).  I've put my sketches out on my blog for anyone who's interested.  Very crude, but it's enough for me to know exactly what I had in mind.  These days, if I don't write things down they just fly out of my brain - ugh!  Here's my first BJP post:

http://jumpingjackglass.blogspot.com/2010/01/thoughts-about-january-journal-page.html

Happy beading to all of you!

I think im getting the hang of it....

My piece for Jan can be seen here: http://unnur-threadpaintandbeads.blogspot.com/

Las Vegas, Nevada checking in....

This is my first year with the BJP although I’ve followed it from the beginning as my sister and her friend are both original members.

My January entry is posted at: www.lv-beader.blogspot.com

I'm looking forward to being a part of this wonderful project.

Thanks Robin.

Shel

Greetings from Mackinac Island

This will be my first time participating in the Bead Journal Project and it's taken much time and thought to decide what direction I wanted to take with my work, but I think I've narrowed it down finally.

I started beading many years ago, due to my interest in historic costuming - I wanted all the trims and accessories to complement my outfits, which meant teaching myself to create them. In recent years, my work has taken a different direction, much more modern and not necessarily costuming related.

I want to go back and retrieve that aspect of my work - taking the traditional techniques and turning them on their head to create a mix of old and new.

An added challenge for me will be availability of materials, as we are currently ice bound and will be for the next few months - I'll be working out of my stash.

I have a blog, http://www.mackin-art.blogspot.com , there's examples of my bead work, costuming pursuits and many images of my Island surroundings.

Kelly, Mackin-Art

ooops

Being totally new at blogging and such... it seems I have deleted myself from the contributors list while attempting to start my personal blog. Please have patience with me, ill get it right soon.... In the meantime I thought I would post a few more examples of my work, however the quality is not the best. So much is lost in the photo process, such as dimension and light reflection,both playing an important role in each piece. To me its all about color, texture, light, and depth. You will see allot of what I call "threadpainting" combined with the beads. Almost all of my work is very 3D.

Greetings

Greetings everyone, and a Happy New Year to all.
You have here a nervous newbie - new to blogging (my very first) and almost new to beading, at least new to sharing it with anyone but friends and family. I've been following the BJP since the beginning and have to admit that the quality of work that has been done is quite intimidating. Then I realized that the quality of support and friendship in the beading community in general and BJP in particular is just as high as that of the work. That helped me to get it together enough to make the commitment to this edition of the Journal.
My New Year wish for all of us: May this be an excellent Journey!

Smoothing Out the Wrinkles ~ Blog Woes to be Resolved ASAP!

Hi BJPers!

As some of you know, we're having some wrinkles with the blogs this year. The issue is that we have close to 300 members, which means all three blogs are full to the maximum capacity. Initially we had the four angels and me as authors on all four blogs. We had to take ourselves off in order to make space for everyone.

Still there are wrinkles... we don't have a final "Authors List" for Blog #1 yet. Also there are a few of you who still haven't responded to your invitation to be an author.

Good news... YOU can help!!!

1. If you wish to write posts (be an author) on one of the BJP blogs, but do not yet have authorization, please contact me... robin [at] robinatkins [dot] com. Give me your name (plus any aka names you use for blogging), your email address (the one you want to use for the invitation), your city and state/country. For the subject of your email, use "BJP - blog author problem". I will make sure to re-send your invitation.

2. If you are listed incorrectly on Blog #2 or #3 "Authors List," please contact me... robin [at] robinatkins [dot] com. Give me your name and the correction you wish to have us make. For the subject of your email, use "BJP - blog author listing correction"

3. If you are on Blog #1, please be patient with us a little longer. We'll try to get the "Author List" posted as soon as we can.

4. If you are double listed or even more importantly, if you are authorized to write posts on more that one of the BJP blogs, please contact me... robin [at] robinatkins [dot] com. Give me your name (plus any aka names you use for blogging), and explain the double listing. For the subject of your email, use "BJP - double listing"

Thanks so much!!! We understand how important it is to be able to post! In the meantime, have fun with your January BJP and reading all the fascinating posts here!

Robin A.

Musical notes beads

How clever of you Robin to suggest polymer clay to make the beads.... I shall do that very thing and it opens all kinds of possibilities for unique beads.... You can watch for it on my future BJPs. Thank you

Gerry K.
Spokane, WA
http://olderrose

hello from icetown

Here are some more pieces i made last year. Unfortunatly, it is almost impossible to photograph! Most pieces are 3d ish. I discovered beads a year ago and I sure have alot to learn! (top left: "Northern Ice" fabric,thread,glass blobs,bugle beads,acrylics,gloss.) top right: "Under the Sea" thread,beads,ceramic face,clay,crystal chain,crystal buttons,fabric, and acrylics.) bottom left: "Scape One" (thread, coral, bugle beads angelina fibers.) bottom right: "Desert Bloom" (thread,broken mirror,gold leaf,acrylics.)

Looking for musical note beads...

I'm thinking a month or two ahead and would like to find some little metal beads like musical notes. I found a lot of metal musical notes charms but no beads.... I can use these in a pinch but I'd rather have beads.. Anyone know if there is such a thing and if so, where to find it??

Gerry Krueger
Spokane, WA
http://olderrose.blogspot.com

Hello from Massachusetts

Hi, I'm Nicki Lee. Last year I constantly checked out all the beautiful bead work on the BJP and fell in love. I kept telling myself "next year" I want to try this. I am so excited to be a part of such a diverse group of talent and can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

I am a Crazy Quilt addict and love to create anything and everything using beads, lace and color. For my project I have decided to go with the one thing that calms me and also will be easy to incorporate my favorite colors of blue and green - the ocean/seashore. Living close to Cape Cod I have plenty of inspiration and hope to depict the change in seasons. I'm looking forward to starting my first ever BJP this coming week.

January

I'm posting my January piece to my blog  http://focus-on-fiber.blogspot.com/

Sandy

Second bird

I'm so charged up over this project that I was awake at 3am this morning to make some notes and sketches. Since the weather is so cold it is easy to sit by the wood stove and bead and stitch... I posted my progress on my blog this morning... http://olderrose.blogspot.com

Gerry Krueger
Spokane, WA
http://olderrose.blogspot.com/

Be Sure to Check Comments!

Hi Everybody and thanks for all the introductory posts! Wow!!! What a diverse and lively group we have... on all three blogs!

Two thoughts...

1. Try to make time to read all three BJP blogs. You can leave comments on all of them, but write posts only on your assigned blog.

2. After you write a post to your assigned blog, please check back a few times over the next week to see if anyone has left comments for you!

I notice that on one of our three blogs there are lots of commenters... Bravo!!! Comments are a wonderful way to build community... keep it up!

Hope you're all busy beading and stitching (or painting, pasting, stamping, or....) on your first BJP piece for the year!!! Me? Well, I haven't started yet... However, I have given myself this evening and tomorrow to be in my studio with ONLY my Jan. BJP!!!!!

Have a very beady new year!
Robin A.

Greetings from frigid Minnesota brrrrr

Im so happy to find this place! Im excited and hyperventilating as I speak! Im a 53 year old viking chic with lots of creative time thanks to a (blessing in disguise?) brutal car wreck seven years ago. I live , breathe, dream of thread, paint, and beads, 24/7! Robin Atkins is my favorite, so inspiring!

Hello from a Newbie

Hi everyone! My name is Michele and I'm very happy to be here for the first time. I haven't done a lot of beading, but I love it and want to do more, especially in a format such as this that will (hopefully!) keep me on-track. I haven't yet decided all the details of my projects for this year, but I'm going to work on that today.

I've included a couple of pics of past beading projects.

Hello! My name is Barrie (in this case, it's a girls' name!). I'm new to the BJP, and looking forward to the challenge of the monthly contributions! I'm a full time jewelry designer, teach all kinds of jewelry classes, and organize the Fraser Valley Bead Show in BC, Canada. I've never tackled a journal of any kind before, and as a strong believer in the 'sink or swim' method of doing things, I decided that if I'm going to try a journal project, I might as well tackle it in a medium I am familiar with, and why not dive right in with a yearly commitment! I have a few ideas for my January project, but still haven't made a final decision. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you all, and seeing what kind of wonderful treasures your imaginations come up with!! Cheers!

Happy 2010

Hello to all beaders,new to this 2010 bead journal and to all who are returning members. I have decided to do a book this year of the twelve days of Christmas. On one side I will have crazy quilting and the other side will feature one of the days of Christmas. Evelyn will also be doing this , but her one side of the book will be different. Our patterns for the days of Christmas are the same but I am sure they will both have a different twist about them. I have updated my blog and hopefully will try and blog at least once a week. funkybeading.blogspot.com Lise

Nice to Meet all of You!

My name is Liz and this will be my third year participating in the Bead Journal Project. I still need to finish several months from last year as I just haven't been motivated to move my beaders booty to do it.

This year, I plan on small, workable pieces. Knobs. Yup, knobs. Beaded knobs (take any reference you want and run with it) for drawers and handles and ... you name it.


I have bead drawers (above) in my bead zone that need to have more than just the wood or metal knobs they came with. As a beader, I shouldn't leave any possible beaded surface unbeaded, eh?

Looking forward to this journey....

introduction

Its about time I introduce myself. My name is Cobi, I'm from the Netherlands, I'm a single mom and I share my appartment with my 22 year old daughter and 2 cats. I'm into both crazy and art quilting. I love to dye, paint, stamp, screen print, stencil, melt, discharge, fuse, burn and punch fabric, I cut stencils and stamps, I tat, knit freeform, lace and stoles; crochet motifs, stoles, lace curtains and Irish projects and motifs. I swap ATCs, AAs, textile pages, textile cards and participate in rrs.

I haven't actually started stitching on my first journal piece, first I need to finish stuf from last year. I've been ill for a while so I fell behind. Today I finished 2 ATCs and 2 textile pages. I've used beads on one page and on one ATC. I love working with beads, but I still have a lot to learn.

this is an ATC I made for a swap.

this is a textile page I made for a swap. there are lots of beads sewn on.

ATC for a swap with the theme "10", beads are always good for centers of flowers.

this is a seam treatment I made on a cq rr block, I love those dangling leaves.

stumpwork berries on a cq rr block. the black beads are actually a trim sewn on.

my plan for the my journal is to use art nouveau/Jugendstil motifs as a focus point and I want to surround them with beading. I haven't exactly figured out how I'm going to do this, still in the planning stage.

if you'd like to see my blog, click here. I'm looking forward to this challenge and I love to see what everybody will create. glad to be part of this.

More progress on the January Doll...

For those who do like peeking at others' projects, I'm chronicling the evolution of my Doll Journals on my blog. Check out Stage II of the January Doll. I'd love to hear your comments, and enjoy talking about process.

--Kali

Getting started

I have started beading a project, but have not decided on its size yet or where it is going. But what else is new with me. Since I am an art quilter and a beader I do think I will be exploring the use of beads on fabric and finding out what my limitations will be. I hope to post on a regular basis on my blog.  I am excited about being a part of this group and look forward to seeing everyone's work.

I'm excited

I live in the Florida Panhandle--cold in the 30's today! I'm a nurse in a psychiatric unit and do a lot of mixed media stuff trying to bring my focus back to fiber!
I have just dabbled with beading in my work and jumped at the opportunity to join this as I have been wanting to do a journal a month. I plan to use a small size so not to be overwhelmed and have each month reflect my feelings or experiences from that month. I'm thinking of a 5x7 size and making a book
I have been busy looking at every ones blogs. I don't have a blog, but a flickr account here http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftirn
It wonderful to be a part of this group and watch as the year progresses!
Barb

January Journal, Stage I

As I mentioned, I'm going to be journaling with beaded dolls each month, and I posted an image of the first stage of my January Doll at my web site, Fresh Monsters. I'm trying a lot of new techniques and I think it'll be useful to have a detailed record of the dolls' evolution...

Happy New Years !!!

Happy New Years to everyone,

This is my first year participating in the BJP. I am very excited about this project. I have made beaded jewelry, a little bit of beading on quilting, beaded on my daughter christening gown (this was the first attempt at beading on fabric, not the best work) and beaded on dolls, so I am hoping that by participating I can try something new and be inspired by everybody else. I have not narrowed my project down, there is three different things I am tinkering with. However, I know I want to keep the size down to a manegeable piece so as not to overwhelm myself. This will make it easier to start and finish. I will post a little later in the month with pictures of progress on my final chosen project and all the details.

Betty Zarate

Glad to be here!

I'm already at work designing my January journal, and I'm very excited about the project. I hope it will jump start my creativity for 2010 and allow me to explore new ideas. I've decided to use the freedom that the Bead Journal project gives us to the fullest, by creating a wearable, jewelry pin or pendant sized beaded doll every month to represent myself. The dolls will be mixed-media, and I'll be using polymer clay, found objects, beads, wire, glass, paper, and anything else that seems to fit. Each doll will have the same face, but I suspect the end results will be quite different each time. At the end of the project, I'll create an installation piece that incorporates all the dolls. (But don't ask me what form that'll take yet!)

I've revamped my jewelry blog, Fresh Monsters, so that I can keep a record of my efforts, and post images of my progress there. You're all welcome to come take a look at my work develops. I'm looking forward to reading all of your blogs and seeing what you're doing as well. :)

--Kali Tal

2010 January BJP project done!!

Sorry about the incomplete link..... try http://olderrose.blogspot.com Gerry

2010 January BJP done!!!!

I was already signed up for BJP when I was able to take the wonderful class on bead embroidery in November from Robin Atkins... I came home so excited that I plunged ahead with my project. Since I have this one done I will be doing two pieces in January and will have one extra for a month that I run out of time. I chose 3 1/2 by 5 inches and it didn't take all that long with #11 beads. But Robin has me totally hooked on #15 beads and that takes a whole lot longer... If you wish you can see it at my blog.... http://olderrose.blogspot.com
Happy New Year everyone...

Gerry Krueger
Spokane, WA

Visited by Inner Artist

Happy New Year, may yours be filled with peace and art and health!

I've revived my old beading blog BEADSMITTEN to journal about the 2010 BJP. I have been posting about my inspiration, which just last night plummeted to a deep level and I'm very excited about my topic. I am definitely being led here! Come check it out if you'd like!