Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Beading Heart Art

Look what arrived in the mail over the weekend...


It's a desk set I won from the Beading for a Cure Auctions held every year to benefit the Colorectal Cancer Research Foundation in memory of Layne Shilling. And, OH, how I wanted to win this set!

That's because I followed its creation every day on the blog, Beading Heart Art, of my friend and of very talented bead artist, Lynn Batt. The auctions are put on a schedule so that only 5 or 6 pieces are auctioned off every week. I circled Lynn's week on my calendar and I waited...and waited...and then I pounced.

I am absolutely in love with Lynn's artistry on this desk set. And I absolutely love that it is functional art. The fact that the auction proceeds go to a good cause is icing on the cake!


I love the edges she chose for both the rope and the crossed design.

I love how she looped this flower coming out of the top of this bead.


I love the contrast of the black velvet with the sparkle and shine of the beads. And the fan shapes that she repeated on the frame and the note pad with bugle beads.


I love having a piece of inspiring art made by a friend sitting on my desk.


Thanks Lynn for making it...it's stunning and I promise I'll take good care of it.

All of the participants have a specific kit that they base their designs on every year -- you can see all of this year's entries here. (Check out the entry of my other talented beading friend, Dot Lewallen or Speedie Beadie!! It's this incredible hippo which makes me smile every time I look at it!)

Lynn lives near Niagara Falls and got her start when her local historical society was offering a bead embroidery class taught by a native American woman from the Tuscarora Nation. Just recently, she attended a lecture on Tuscarora beading and there were so many great pieces to share that she's holding Tuscarora Tuesday where she details all of the items and history that she learned at that lecture each week. It's great!

She's also got me interested in participating in the Haute Couture Inspired Wearable Art Contest! The idea is to pick a haute couture image from the list of options here and design a piece of jewelry using it's color, style, shape or technique. Mixed-media are allowed though the majority of the design must use seed beads.

The design isn't due until November 19, 2010 but Lynn is a whippersnapper and is already well underway on her entry and it's GORGEOUS! Here's the dress that inspired her...


And here's what she has worked up so far....


Isn't it GREAT!

I'm still struggling to pick my inspiration dress....It's either this one...


Which I love because of the layered swirls over the embroidered underskirt. Or this one...


Which I love for the color, the pleats, the layering...those SHOES!

But I have plenty of time to decide. You probably won't be seeing my finished project until November...that's the way I roll!

Have a Lynn-inspired day everyone!

14 comments:

Mosaic Magpie said...

What a lovely desk set. Lucky you to win the auction. The Gwen Stefani dress gets my vote. The shoes are something else!
Debbie

Catherine said...

Congrats on winning the set! It's beautiful!

I had to check out the hippo right away - my litle guy loves hippose - you are right - too cute! Love the puff of hair!

Those dresses are both fabulous!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I saw that you won Lynn's entry. Its so pretty. She has such an artistic style.

Christina would be tickled for you to enter her challenge. This is the second year and she accumulated some pretty good prizes last year. I haven't checked on this year's, but I'm sure they will be great.

Have a great sunny day!!
xx, Carol

Unknown said...

I love that first dress too and posted it on my blog as well LOL. I love those green shoes! I can't (but will) wait to see what you have done with your inspiration! I would rather be creating the dresses though.....

MeganH said...

A *fantabulous* prize for a fantabulous person!

allie aller said...

That green dress Gwen Stephani is wearing is truly unbelievable. I hope that is the one you pick!

Vania e Paolo said...

Complimenti...bellissimo blog.:)
Saluti. Vania

Judy S. said...

Aren't you the lucky one? I just saw on Mary Corbett's blog that you won some thread from her blog too! It's always fun to watch your projects, no matter what they are Susan.

FredaB said...

That is one beautiful desk set. They have made some beautiful things.

I vote for the green dress - it is wonderful. As for the shoes I must send you a picture of my feet in my new green shoes. Lop off 2 inches of heel and no platform and we could be twins - ha ha.

Going to a luncheon with my DD tomorrow and will wear them for the first time.

Hugs

FredaB

Createology said...

Beautiful set and amazing beadwork. I pick the greens and blues pleated dress and THOSE shoes! Happy creating...

Loralynn said...

What a gorgeous desk set! Congratulations on winning it! I have to say that I like the first dress you showed. I love pink and I can just see that "zig-zag" done in a necklace with lots of flowers dropping from it! I have to say that you do inspire me to pick up my beading again, something that I didn't think would ever happen after I got burned out with the business end of it all!

Lynn said...

I'm so happy it arrived - Jack and Your Husband look awesome in that frame (I guess that's cause they are awesome, right?)

You already know how tickled I am that you won my set, so I won't blabber on any more about that!

I think you should do both inspiration dresses lol. Come on, I know you can whip out 2 fabulous pieces by November. . .who needs sleep, right??

Robbie said...

I follow Lynn's blog and you are right! she's a GREAT inspiration to us 'wanna be beaders'...I'll also be following your blog now as well.

Maureen said...

Beautiful beading!

The first thing I said to myself when I saw the pink dress was "that reminds me of Shibori ribbon."

Related Posts with Thumbnails