Q: "How do you do that?" A: "One bead at a time."

[darkemeralds]

Some signs that I was done with beadwork--that the artform was, for me, no more:

• I took my old beadwork website down
• No one in the beadwork world talks to me anymore
• I recently came thisclose to giving away all my beads and tools
• My beadwork software is so old that it won't install on this computer

So it came as a surprise to me, this urge to make something beady again. But I have a mission: a Serenity convention in November.



The design was easy. Stolen, in fact. Lifted right off of Can't Stop The Signal. Totally unoriginal. I'm not proud of myself.


Then I needed new software. Selecting it took a couple of days. Figuring it out took some more time.

The software hasn't been invented yet that works the way I do, so rendering an image into a workable pattern was more than several hours' intensive computer work. Man, was my ass tired of this chair!



Next problem: printing the pattern. I haven't owned a printer in several years, but this is one of those rare instances where I actually need something on paper. My sister saved the day on that one. Flash drives are great!

Then there's finding beads in that many shades of brown, gold, amber, copper, bronze, orange. See, color is one thing. Then there's reflectivity, translucence, opacity--all of which change the final effect--sometimes very unexpectedly. And all of which make ordering the right beads online kind of tricky.



Some signs that maybe beadwork lives again:

• This icon
• I just added "beads" and "beadwork" to my interests
• I'm going to the actual local bead store now.

It'll be like old times.

Comments

[emungere.livejournal.com]

*insanely impressed with your mad beading skillz* That is going to be so cool.

[inalasahl]

That is going to be so cool. You're going to be mobbed by strangers wanting to touch your ... beads.

It's always fun hearing about other people's hobbies. I didn't even know there was such a thing as bead software.

And yay for being one of "today's leading bead artists." That's neat.

[sffan.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's gorgeous.

[vampirefan.livejournal.com]

holy shit! i give the mad props for your dedication!

i know how to knit, crochet and afghan(sp?) knit and yet you'd be hardpressed to find anything i've completed except for some barbie clothes. small was the key...

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Wow...you can make that? You are amazing. So are we going to get updates? (vows not to spend *all* her time living vicariously)

[wedjateye.livejournal.com]

I love the design you have made. 'Stealing' is not the issue here - imitation is the sincerest form of obsession flattery. And I bet Summer/Morena/Jewel/Gina would LOVE one of your designs. It looks amazing, I hope to see the finished product - at least in photos.

I have a couple of audio CDs I could burn for you if you want - Dirt Music by Tim Winton (about five hours of listening time) and an audi collection of Edgar Allen Poe. Plus some other thing I got at a conference but haven't actually listened to. Just say the word - I'd like to enable your beady creativity.

[neroli66.livejournal.com]

oh WOW! That will look...amazing!