getting started!

My journey into beading was just beginning when it was suddenly thrust into full gear. Monica had a 'doll of the month club' on e-bay last year and i collected them all. Mind you, i didn't bead them, just collected! I tend to 'accumulate' things until the time is right to use them! Around this time, my father suddenly died and my mom moved to TX to be near me. She was a peyote stitch bracelet maker - just wonderful stuff. I started showing her the 'world' of fabric/doll beading out there. Monica even sent her a gift which she completed beading before her unexpected death last September. I felt a great need to start beading - to do the things my mom did - and by using her beads join her in my process of expression. I took a beaded cuff class and was amazed at how i could actually do free-form! I've always been a 'follow the directions' type of gal. I moved onto the pile of 'collected dolls' and wanted so much to make them look just like Grace's! But i found my muse takes me on a different journey where i like to 'interpret' the fabric. So here it is September again. My piece is started - it will incorporate a tiny glass bottle with a snip of my mother's hair, done in black and white and crimson. Praise to the internet for allowing us to enjoy each other's work - i find it all truly inspiring and know my mom is happy.