Catching up

Would you believe I am currently beading in high gear as I work to finish my BJPs for this 2nd series before I start on my 3rd series .... Click here for the direct link to the images of my September and October BJP2 pieces as featured on my blog, Winter Wanderings. Please let me know what you think of them.
I'd write more, but I need to get back to my beading!

Sincerely, one BJP-Behinder who is focused on catching up!
Cathy W

First Time Blogger

Hi -

I'm Susan. This is all new to me, as I've never blogged before and am hesitant about what I'm doing, somewhat computer challenged until I do something for the first time and then I'm comfortable with it. This is also the first time that I've ever done a beading journal, which I find I'm really enjoying. I was right on time with my Sept, Oct, and Nov entries, but Dec got away from me with other things I had to do. I create jewelry, and actually each piece of my journal is a brooch. I had a jewelry party in my home for holiday gifts, and getting ready for that took a lot of time. Then, I had gotten some orders from the party and had to fill those. These aren't excuses, just an explanation. Finally, it's Jan and I'm half way through my Dec piece with great ideas for the Jan one. My pieces can  been seen on my web site http://www.mermaidsjewelz.com/gallery . Go to the last album on the page and click on it. 

A lot of my jewelry is actually bead embroidery but I've always called it sculptural beading. This is also the first time that I'm actually doing different embroidery stitch patterns. If you look at my jewelry, you'll see what I mean. 

Well. That's all for now.

Thank you Robin

Thanks to Robin I was able to rework my BJP into a workable appealing project. I had such a creative block that I went back to an old love to find my way. I have posted a picture of September and October on my blog along with all the reasoning-- just in case you may want to walk around in my creative logic.
Thanks again Robin for the creative words and I am sure that is why you are the mommy of this project-- you are great.

September Cuff Completed!

Wow!  Only 2 months behind LOL!  See my completed cuff for September on my blog here.  I've also uploaded it to Flickr.

Kassie 

http://beadingbutterfly.blogspot.com

http://beadg1rl.deviantart.com

www.beadingbutterfly.com

September & October Start

Finally started on September and October.  Also, posted the sketch for my 3rd quarter 2007 BJP Elemental Water panel.

Kassie - The Beading Butterfly

aka Beadg1rl

http://beadingbutterfly.blogspot.com

Running Crazy Behind

I've decided I've taken on too many projects -- go figure. And being the Libra, I try to give equal status and attention to them all. That explains the running crazy part. Anyway, I've decided that all of my BJP 'pages' are going to be pinkeepers like the ones I've been working on in a couple of swaps. I have the September fabric part sewn together and should start working on it this weekend. I know it is October, but I'll get there when I can. September's question to meditate is "What were you like when you were young?" I'll post a picture of my pieces to this puzzle this weekend, so all of you can at least see I've started. I am going to finish the round robins I'm in and then no more swaps or round robins until I get my BJP done. The BJP is for me, sounds selfish, but it is the truth. It will be my work for me. My time to stop and reflect. My chance to contemplate and grow.

September Complete

My September page is finished, however, not without lessons learned! If you care to visit, feel free to swing by my blog. I would welcome any comments, ideas, and smiles! Thankfully, I am starting October, and I know it will be a much smoother experience and my lips will be zipped!

I have been enjoying visiting blogs the past few days...amazing and beautiful work! What a great group of kindred spirits!

~Lisa ;-)

Sept BJP Page Posted

I have had my page finished since the last week of Sept, but hadn't had time to take the pictures or post them to my blog .

They are up now so if you would like to have a look just click on the blog link above.

SueU

September bjp

If you would like to see my beaded pin for September, go to my blog.

Jann

My first: Ode to Purple

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I finished my September piece on Oct. 1st, and I just now posted it to my blog. (I had been in the middle of revamping my blog, hehe) It is my first piece of bead embroidery, and I hope some of you will have some feedback for me :) I wanted to start my October piece right after I was finished with September, but the perfect idea did not flow to me until a week later, so I'm glad I waited to start it. And that's what I'm off to do now!

Mandibeads
http://www.beadcircleblog.com

My September bead work is done!

Hello!

I'm new to the BJP this year and I thought I'd say hello and let you know that I've finished my bead project for September. I've posted pictures on my blog and I wrote about my inspiration for the piece. After an anxious start, I had a really wonderful time playing with beads. I hope that everyone is enjoying working on their projects!

Cheers,
Pam

September 2.0, A Spirit Doll

I'm making good progress on my September project 2.0. It's my first Spirit Doll, and I'm making it for a close friend. You can see it on my blog.

I don't know if I would have had the nerve to make a Spirit Doll before I started the BJP. So thanks for the inspiration!
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

September Page Started

As the month draws to a close, here I am, sewing down those first beads, getting the page underway.  As usual, there were a lot more events and particularly more work, than I anticipated. Last weekend, there was a huge power failure and accompanying power surge here, and this is what happened to the surge protector in my studio. There was a lot of toxic smoke but no fire, and, amazingly, all the things plugged in - stereo, TV, lamps, computer, all still work fine.  The smell is still very much with me, despite all the scrubbing and cleaning, but diminishes all the time.  I work with a sweater on and the windows open these days!  Anyway, my work got finished, my deadlines are all met, and now... I can begin my September page.  I'll post my progress as I go.

Nearing the end of the month

It's getting close to the end of the month. How is everyone doing? Is everyone beading? Learning all kinds of things about fabric and beads and choosing a theme or not? I remember my first page from last year - I was so excited when I finished, so full of energy about visualizing my feelings through beads. Have you all started a blog? Are you encountering any problems you want support with?

Please check in and let us all know how you are doing and make our blog an active one!

a2susan

Fun Without Beading

It has been so much fun to see everyone's projects and read about their processes. I feel like I've learned a lot while enjoying all the different beaded pages. It's fascinating to see the variety of ways beaders approach the BJP. We're all working with the same major ingredient--beads--but the results are so different.

So thanks to all of you who have shared your work! I feel challenged and inspired both in creativity and in technique. It's a great start for the year.

And thanks, too, to everyone who gave me suggestions about photos. I'm getting the hang of it.
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

September Finished

I couldn't resist...I just had to finish my September piece. I probably won't finish them all early but I found this format so enjoyable. Something I really liked to do, with a structure but lots of freedom and flexibility within that structure. I posted a picture to my blog, so you can see it here. Thanks for looking.

I've been making beads for a bead show (Bead Bonanza in Southfield MI on 10/4) but have taken some time to do some experimenting for a bead or 2 for October's piece. The ultrasuede color is a nice pumpkin color.

Progress

September is rushing by, but at least I've been able to spend a little time each day working on September's piece. I am really enjoying the rhythm of this project. I usually try to work on it early in the morning (7 a.m. at our house) for 30 or 45 minutes, before the day gets busy. This is my meditative time, when I really appreciate the journal part of this project. I think about the themes I'm trying to illustrate and what is going on in my mental landscape.

I've adopted a few strategies. I have several books on bead embroidery and am trying to focus on a few pages each month, really learning the stitches and techniques I might have just glanced at before, thinking 'I get that'. But you don't really GET it until you do it, several times. So I'm really learning at a basic level.

Also, since I like to make lampworked glass beads, I've decided to incorporate at least one bead each month, and am trying different bezeling (sp?) techniques. I'm focusing on netting this month...who knows what I'll try in October. Also, I'm finding I don't won't to fill up my entire square (3.5 inches). I like the negative space, especially since I'm using ultrasuede and the colors are beautiful. This month my color is a light pear green.

Finally, a fun story. I was meeting a friend for lunch yesterday. Coincidentally, Susan, who has an exhibit of her 2007 project at Findings in October was there and stopped by to see what I was working on. I told her that her project had inspired me to sign up for the 2008 project! What a thrill!

I'm looking forward to October...theme will be circles.

Sept BJP in Progress + Thoughts About Backing

I've just posted some pictures of my September BJP piece in progress (maybe half finished) here on my blog.

I've been following the posts on the BJP blogs about backing for bead embroidery and found myself wanting to make comments and suggestions. Today I wrote and showed pictures of how I deal with the backing (stabilizer) in my work. It's the second half of this post on my blog.

Visiting your blogs, reading and seeing about your progress and keeping up with the BJP blog is a delightful experience for me... takes time, but is soooooooooo well worth it!

Happy beading, Robin A.

Hello Everyone

This is my first post to the BJP08 blog and my first post to any blog. I have so much to learn about blogging. That sounds so funny to me, because I head up an IT department. When you do that, people tend to think you know everything about every thing computer related. Way back when I started, I knew most of the important stuff. Now, I hire kids who are a lot smarter than I am. But, enough of that.

In the way of introduction, I am a 54-year old making her way through life. I was married for 28 yrs, divorced, and now live with the true love of my life, Jeff.
I've been an artist/craftsperson for as long as I can remember, love being outdoors, reading, sewing, beading, knitting, crocheting, crazy quilting, cooking, playing with the neighborhood children, blowing bubbles, and cuddling with my minature dachshund, Wylie, and chocolate. I've lived all over the U.S. and in Italy. And finally, the day I do not learn something new is a wasted day.

I thought long and hard about a theme for my bead journaling. Ultimately, it came down to the questions I've been asked or have asked, an quotes that started contemplation and meditation on answers or responses. The contemplation continues and the answers change or elude me altogether. I thought the journal could help the contemplative process. Guess we'll find out. September's question is "What were you like when you were a child?" So I've gathered bits and pieces I still have from my childhood and we will see what comes out of it all.

September begun

but not finished yet....you can see it here, or wait until December...your choice...

beadbabe49
bobbi k.