The Art of Awareness: Autism

Lori Anderson is back doing what she does so brilliantly,  hosting a blog party.  This time she partnered with Heather Wynn Millican of Swoondimples.  Heather created polymer clay bean beads with inspirational words of our choice in the color of our choice each with an awareness ribbon. As soon as I saw Lori's post about this hop, I signed up. What an amazing collaboration between art, artisans and awareness organizations. 

I chose Autism.  I think Autism is an issue that touches everyone; the degree of separation just varies.  Do you have a friend of a friend, a friend, a family member who lives with the effects of Autism?  I resist labels, but my family is also touched by Autism. Autism is a difficult subject because the cause is unknown and the results vary from person to person.  Patience, Kindness and Acceptance are key while the research is ongoing.

I chose the words,"be you" for my bean bead; a reminder to shine bright regardless of difficulties. Heather made me a fantastic royal blue, red and yellow bead.  It is perfect for the primary color palette associated with Autism. From the outset, I knew I wanted to incorporate some plaid.  When I see plaid, I think of boy's and men's shirts.  In fact, I upcycled one of my sons outgrown shirts to add a few pieces. Since more boys are affected with Autism, I wanted to use the plaid as a subtle symbol.  I also knew from the beginning that I wanted to use this wonderful enameled key from Marie Demicco; a key to Autism is kindness, patience, understanding and acceptance. I also knew that I wanted to integrate one of the rings from Pam Ferrari.  When I laid the necklace out, I decided to use all three rings as a symbol of the puzzle pieces representing the complexity of Autism.  This necklace, "The Heart Shines Through", is beaded with a rainbow of faceted seed beads representing the diversity of Autism, red Czech starburst beads representing the hope of research, and a blue Czech bird representing the individual caregivers...the wind beneath the wings. I finished the necklace with chunky red glass nuggets and a vintage red glass button. It is available for purchase at my etsy store. 

This is not a color palette that I typically work with and it was fun for a change.  Thank you Heather Wynn Millican for inspiring me to work outside of the comfort zone and for the opportunity to bring awareness to Autism. Thank you Lori Anderson for hosting this wonderful blog hop.  You are amazing!  Check out Lori's blog, www.prettythingsblog.com to hop along, see the other reveals and the stories behind them.

Bead Hoarder's Blog Hop Reveal

Today is the reveal day for the Bead Hoarder's Blog Hop hosted by the awesome bead artist, jewelry artist and hostess Lori Anderson.  When she first announced this blog hop about a month ago, I quickly signed up. 

 I thought it was a great idea to dig into my stashes to create something fun. However when I create, I never have enough space so my work space takes over every adjoining space.  With Thanksgiving for 19 at the house this year, my workroom required cleanup.  I must say that when I clean up it looks so good, but I can't find a thing:( 

So I began to look on the work table itself to see what I had grouped together....that is where I spotted the pendant focal.  This focal is not a piece that I have hoarded, but rather a work in progress.  I love vintage jewelry pieces and the vintage color of sea foam green. This focal has been a piece that has been on my work table for about 3 years.  Every time I go into my workroom, I pick it and say maybe today.  I add a crystal or pearl here or there and then lay it back down. I have made and sold similar pieces adding chain or beaded rosary style chain but this one I just didn't want to do that.  It seemed too simple.  Then, I found the aqua blue freshwater heshi pearls and the vintage sea foam green glass leaves.  Only one problem, the pearls would not string on anything except (Ughhh) the dreaded traditional beading wire.  Out comes the crimp tubes and crimpers with a sigh.  I am smiling, pleased with the outcome... an ode to Miriam Haskell.  Miriam's Garden is an unique, one of a kind, modern piece with a vintage twist.

Thank you Lori Anderson for being an amazing artist and an inspiring hostess.

Be sure to check out Lori's blog and the other participant's in this Bead Hoarder's Blog Hop to see the reveal of their beautiful creations and hear the stories behind them.

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/12/welcome-to-2nd-annual-bead-hoarders.html

Bead Soup has arrived.

After a little delay in connecting with my bead soup partner, the soup is now simmering!  Thanks to my bead soup partner Kate Dufour for my beautiful soup.   The colors are beautiful blue and green. These aren't colors that I normally work with so they are a bit out of my comfort zone which is what this challenge is all about.  My biggest design inspiration is definitely color and this bead soup has inspired me.  I finished one necklace today and have another in the works!