May Monthly Challenge Recap

It seems that this painting, while intriguing and certainly not lacking for color or details, was a bit overwhelming for people to grasp. I read comments on Facebook and in blogs and elsewhere that it was something interesting but that the Muse was not striking.

I think that for me what I wanted to do and what I actually did differed, because I had in my head that I needed to make things as difficult and intricate as Lesage, when what I really needed to do was just focus on what I loved most about it: color.

I find it easy to be intimidated by the monthly challenges, either because I am trying to be too literal, or the inspiration is so far-reaching for me. Either way, I have set myself up in a personal challenge to make something - anything - based on the inspiration. It is the only way that I grow as an artist to take on challenges like this and find what speaks to me, even if it is just one tiny part of the whole picture. Sometimes when I am faced with a painting that I don't feel is talking to me, I will print it out and look at it from different angles, sort of like when you would hang off the edge of the couch and pretend to be walking on the ceiling. Or I might even cut the print into pieces and rearrange them, or focus on one. Try that next time you are stuck!

There were some really delightful entries filled with color and details and a pure joy. I hope you enjoy the gallery I have created to show them off!



May 2015 Art Bead Scene by Slidely Photo Gallery

Now it is your turn! If you blogged about your entry, please post it here for a chance to win prizes!

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Inside the Studio: Erin Prais-Hintz, Tesori Trovati

Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive, we offer a prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard and tell us what you think. The following week a winner is chosen at random from all eligible entries.

Congratulations to Katherine Thompson!

You have won a $20.00 gift certificate to spend in Mary Harding's Etsy shop.

Send Mary an email to claim your prize. 

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Hello bead tribe!

I don't know about you, but I feel a bit like I am barely treading water right now. Spring is always a bit frenzied for me. I am having a hard time keeping up!

Dance was over in April (but starting up again) and now travel softball (first tournament next weekend) and rec league are about to start for my daughter. Today is the last day of school for my son. Tomorrow he will officially be a senior for the 2015-2016 school year (wait...what?!!!?). Next Wednesday his baseball team takes on a regional semi-final baseball game on their march to State (they made it past the regionals only to fall in the last game - sectionals - two years in a row. Feeling hopeful that this is the year we can make it!). My daughter will be graduating from 8th grade next Thursday and I have been up around the clock working on the big through-the-years slideshow celebrating all 64 graduates. Add into that the fact that the grand-daddy of all bead shows is coming to Milwaukee (about 3 hours away - how could I miss it?!), and of course back in December I signed up to take classes on Wednesday  with Thomas Mann, Eva Sherman (yes, I will be missing the baseball game...and the weekend softball tournament), and on Sunday with the Thorntons (Andrew and Cynthia) all of which I am SOOOO not ready for. Needless to say, I am going a bit out of my mind!

Examples from past Thomas Mann classes - can't wait!

I didn't sign up for classes last year and I really missed it. I typically set aside a few hundred dollars for classes/workshops each year and last year I didn't really do anything that wasn't virtual. I miss the face-to-face. So I was excited to get in a class with Thomas Mann. Sometimes I take classes with artists that I admire, not really caring about what I am learning, just to soak up their genius. That would sum up my feeling about Thomas Mann. I had the good fortune to meet Miss Eva Sherman when I filmed a episode of Beads, Baubles & Jewels in December (which will go live in July! Woot!). She is dynamite and so sweet, so I knew that I had to take a class with her. And what more can be said about Andrew Thornton and his sister Cynthia of Green Girl Studios fame? They are absolutely delightful, so I know that I will be captivated by their magical class. 

Lisa Peters Art beads from 2011... I know I still have one of those tubes in my stash!

Of course, I love to shop at the bead show, but I have been on a self-imposed bead diet for over a year (that really hasn't stopped me so much as slowed me down - thanks to Miss Heather Millican of Swoondimples for helping me cheat recently!). I have stacks, bins and boxes of beads that I have purchased over the past few years at B&B that I have been hoarding. So I really don't NEED any more beads (but I know that won't stop me). I am actually hoping to put together some kits that I was asked to design, so that might be the only way that I will get my shopping fix.

Best beady friends!

So I will be heading to the classes I am taking with Thomas Mann and Eva Sherman on Tuesday night. And I will be coming back on Wednesday night as soon as my last class ends so that I can be present for the graduation festivities on Thursday. Then back to Bead & Button on Friday-Sunday, meeting up with my best friend and ABS Editor, Heather Powers and her Aunt Rosanne. It is something I look forward to every year. We really never get enough time to be together as friends and bead shoppers, it is always a whirlwind, more so this year than ever. 

I was honored that a necklace design I made last year was selected as a class for this year's Bead & Button co-teaching with Miss Brenda Schweder using her Now That's A Jig tool. Unfortunately, the world of Bead & Button Show classes is pretty competitive and my class ended up being cancelled due to low enrollment. Bummer! But I do believe everything happens for a reason, and it would have added to my stress level to teach on that large a scale. Plus, this won't be the last you will see of this necklace idea.... ;-)

And when one door closes, another opens... I am delighted to say that I will be teaching two make-and-take mini-classes on Saturday, June 6th at the Now That's A Jig booth #901/903. I think that space is limited, so if you are interested, be sure to sign up! I just saw the template of my original holiday ornament design that I will be teaching, and I am so looking forward to it!

Since I will be at the Bead & Button show next week, my prize for you will be to have me be your personal shopper at the Bead & Button Show. I am a really good shopper (just ask Heather!), and I need an excuse to go and fondle... er.... buy some beads, so it will be fun for me to pick out some things special for one lucky random winner. I will be sure to pick out some nice things for a surprise bead stew! Here is my question for you....

Would you rather....

...spend your money on BEADS? If so, what would you be looking for at Bead & Button?

OR

...invest in taking classes with MASTERS? If so, what would you most like to learn or who would you like to learn from?

A random winner will be selected at the next Inside the Studio

and in the meantime, I will be shopping for something special just for one of you!