As you know, I make critter beads. You may also know that I didn't set out to make them. I skipped the chapter on critter beads in my glass bead books, kind of like I skipped the chapter on colic in the What to Expect When You're Expecting book - it would never affect me, I thought. Wrong. On both counts. My son had a bad case of colic up until he was around 3 months, just like the book said (I did go back and read it once his doctor explained why he was crying non-stop for hours on end). We finally figured out that running the vacuum cleaner all night was the only thing that soothed him. So in my first month or so making glass beads, I came upon a penguin tutorial online and something possessed me to give it a go. After that first, semi-recognizable penguin, I went back and read about critter beads in my lampwork books. I began trying different critters, honing my skills and creating my own critter style. This involved a lot of research online. Ok, it was more like online stalking. I quickly found a critter bead artist (Nikki the Sheep Goddess from NLC Beads) that I wanted to emulate. And if I couldn't accomplish that, which I couldn't, I'd at least spend a lot of time looking at her beads every day. It was research, after all.
Now I happen to be lucky enough to own some of Nikki's beads. But with two new kittens in the house, I didn't feel the beads were safe unless they were way out of little paws' reach. So I put up a little shelf and placed my beloved collection on it. I included a gorgeous focal bead by Martha Brogdon that I received in a bead exchange - so the critters have some lovely artwork to gaze at up there on the shelf. Artwork for my artwork.
I love my new collection of critter beads - a yellow dinosaur, a red and white cow and a perfect pink sheep. Looking at them makes me feel happy. It's as simple as that. What could be more therapeutic?
What do you have on display that makes you happy to look at?
The beads are so cute and that is a safe spot as long as the cats don't have anything close to jump from! LOL
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I have my vintage 1970's toy collection on display. They always make me smile!
ReplyDeleteI put my wife on a pedestal! She keeps me entertained all day long just watching her! :¬D
ReplyDeleteI confess to 3 fave collections to look at. 1) McCoy pottery from the early to middle 1900's that I began collecting 20 years ago. Ironically after I'd been into it for about 5 years I found out that my Mom & paternal Gram also had several pieces, now MINE. 2) Each year we take a holiday picture of our daughter, now 12 1/2. I have them all individually framed & grouped together. Such fun to see at a glance how she's changed over the years. 3) My daughter's paintings, drawings and pottery that I have in nearly every room of the house are my absolute fave!
ReplyDeleteThe other day I was just smiling at a picture of my nephew and niece (Alex and Annie, as Jess was not born yet) in a popsicle frame decorated with buttons. It's on a shelf in my loft where I do all my work. I thought how they kinda remind me of Ethan and Sam at that age. Except this frame says "We love Kooka" on it, and Ethan and Sam just call me "Mama." (we live on the farm after all.
ReplyDeleteoh, and Bob is a dork, but a funny dork!
ReplyDeletewhere do I get one of those pedestals for Jeff?
I have some Maybeads right next to my monitor to make me smile! Mabel Lou riding a turtle on a little bead stand. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I should add, I have a collection of beads from favorite artists stashed away and I have bought frames. "Someday" I hope to frame them.
ReplyDeleteMy comment just disappeared! I love Nikki's work! I have a little sheep made by Nikki named rosebud! She's an adorable little critter, too!
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