| Although I have done several different types of beadwork, my love for beads
is with loom weaving. My IRC nickname is "loomatic". I make larger bead weavings,
most in the 5" X 7" range, but my largest piece was 8" X 10" for my grandson.
Often my weavings contain over 10,000 or more beads. I like to create pictures
from beads and recently I've greatly enjoying doing a portrait and wish to
focus on more of these. My next weaving will be of Mother Theresa. I'm
really anxious for this challenge. I hope I can capture the smile in
here eyes.
The materials I use are very basic. An old simple wooden loom, that my husband
made for me many years ago, along with needle, thread, and those beautiful
tiny pieces of glass called Delicas are all I need for my creations. The
whole challenge to doing weavings lies in the pattern. This part is
done on a computer with graph paper sized for Delica Beads printed right
over a printed picture.
What seems like forever ago, a friend of mine sent away for one of those
"Earn Money at Home" projects. It was to make 50 pair of beaded earrings
and we would be paid something like $3.00 per pair. We made 100 of those
huge horrid colored earrings and the company sent back all but about 10 pair
saying "Re-do these" and we didn't even get a check for the others as it
was deducted for a startup fee. We decided we could make our own, therefore
a love of beading was born inside me.
Both my husband (who creates computer generated art) and I greatly enjoyed
attending craft shows and fairs but had to put that aside for "real" work.
Tucking a dream of our own store away for many years while we both worked
in a homeless shelter in Eugene Oregon. In September of last year, we moved
back to Washington to make that dream become reality.
My current personal goals are etched in stone. My husband and I created that
dream of a little gift store and we are determined to make it work! This
is my main focus in life right now. The basis of our shop is to promote the
"unknown" artist and craftspeople just like my husband and myself. Our shop
is for all the skilled craft people who "create" breathtaking art of all
forms yet have no place to show their work.
As for my weavings, there is one thing I must accomplish in those and that
is more detail. My goal for my work is to create photo quality larger weavings
that you do not realize are made from beads until closer inspection. This
is much easier said than done!! :) I feel, after the first portrait
I made directly from a photograph, that in time I will be able to do this.
My dream goal would be to be known as a bead artist.
Over the years, I have gained pride and self esteem watching my own work
improve. This is highly rewarding for me as I think this is something I have
always lacked in my life. As my skills are slowly developing, so does my
eye for art. This I have also enjoyed watching develop in myself.
If I see a beautiful sunset then somehow my mind is already converting it
over to graph paper and picking out colored beads. Its a good type of obsession!
:)
The main common fact I have noticed in every artist who creates, no matter
what medium, is that they will never create the perfect piece. They
strive to improve and are their own worst critic. This is a good quality
but it can also be crippling to creativity. Use the quality to improve, but
do not let it defeat you from trying again!
The best piece I have ever made, was after two horrid attempts. My
husband would not let me give up on it and he made me a very large pattern
that I could really tell the different pixels of color. I am grateful to
him for his encouragement and faith in me that I could do this and yes, even
for those days of nagging me until I tried again! :) Not becoming defeated
at the failures is the most important thing for any artist or craftsperson
to remember.
Our gift shop is located in Shelton WA
Nebula Gifts
105 Railroad Ave.
Shelton, WA
98584
Phone # (360)427-8749 Monday - Friday 8:30 to 4:00 Sat. 10:00 2:00
We have a brand new "under construction" home page, some links still
need uploaded located at
http://www.olywa.net/nebula-gifts/
The email
for Nebula Gifts is
nebula-gifts@olywa.net
My personal page which shows my weavings
http://www.olywa.net/martha/
My email addres is martha@olywa.net
|
