Report on Bead and Button 2005

Bead and Button 2005 was fabulous! I was like a teenager, except it was about beads, not boys.

I was a little nervous going into Cynthia's workshop, but after 3 days of intense beading, I found it very rewarding. Don't ask what I made - I really just "sampled" - worked out design issues, etc. But I do know that something is already bubbling in my mind about this. I sat next to Suzanne McNeil (Design Originals publisher - the booklets with the Panda on them) and probably about 70% of the class were bead store owners and /or Cynthia groupies (they had taken many courses with her). They had a great class dinner at a French restaurant on the last day with Cynthia and the editors of the various Kalmbach Bead publications - I even got a diploma. Wine flowed freely, but contrary to French tradition the cheese plate was served first - mind you Wisconsin is known as the dairy state. I sat with Mindy Brooks (current editor of Bead and Button) and Marlene Vail the show organizer. I learned lots of inside stuff. Did you know that Interweave was sold recently? Did you know that the Arton couple go to Tucson? I shared a room with Maria Rypan and we sat up beading late into the night. Mind you she has more stamina than me! I also took a class with Susan Lenart Kazmer which was fantastic (you've probably seen the necklace made of old pencils she made).Anyways it was great, a real hoot, and I spent too much money on kits and beads. I've already made a ring by Laura McCabe - a real bling ring - with a 1" dia. swarovski rivoli in the centre surrounded by 46 2AB swarovski crystals (oh my).

Whew. I can hardly wait until next year!

Paisley Brooch

Day one in Milwaukee.

Hoffman Brooch. Today is the first full day in Milwaukee at Bead and Button. But yesterday I went to the wonderful Santiago Calatrava Quadracci Pavillion, the Art Museum here. I spent a lot of time there last year. They have a wonderful Arts and Crafts show including some brooches by Hoffman (but not the one above). It's a bit synchronistic - I've picked up some Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau images for Cynthia Rutledge's class, and this exhibit is going on!

Milwaukee Here I Come

The big Bead and Button show in Milwaukee is starting on Sunday, and I'm gonna be there!

TBS Meeting, great food, great bargoons

Last night's meeting was great as always - I really enjoyed the beady atmosphere and especially seeing the fantastic bracelets those who went to the Bead Retreat made for their swap. I'm jealous! Way to go guys. Just a reminder - the Toronto Bead Gathering is now going to hold our summer meetings at the Grenadier Restaurant in High Park. The next one is June 22nd, 6:30. If I don't see you there, see you in September :)

Mucha's colours, Corbu defined, curves abound

Villa Savoie Stair

I loved Mucha in the 70's

For curvilinear forms who better than Alphonse Mucha - and Art Nouveau.

Paisley Comma Form - Corbu alike?

Plans are in black and white, this paisley is in black and white - the curvilinear form is appealing to me. Time to follow that track.

Le Corbusier - Ronchamp Plan

Ronchamp for inspiration - I've been here, but even so, I can't believe the plan - I wish I had it with me back in 1986 so I could have really understood what I was seeing.

Panicked for ideas.

I'm quite panicked about the lack of inspiration I'm experiencing - I have to have something together for Cynthia Rutledge's class starting on June 12th, and just don't feel it yet. Lately I've been working more from the beads than from other inspiration, so this is a challenge to look to other work. I'm debating about a variety of things. I'll post some images that are inspiring me, maybe you can help? PLEASE leave any comments :)

P.S. I am the type who pulls things together at the last minute, mainly because I've been simmering on it for so long! Talk about bead soup!