Friday, January 16, 2015

Blog Book Tour :: Explorations in Freeform Peyote Beading

I know that I've already told you about Karen's new book Explorations in Freeform Peyote Beading, but when she said she was doing a book tour I just had to jump in!

You all may know that Karen is the reigning queen of freeform, and for good reason. Have you seen her work? There was one piece she showed on her blog as a work in progress that I just could not wait to see how she finished called: Messages in a Bottle. Yep it is in here, And yep, it is as amazing as I thought it would be. But I'll let you guys all run over to Karen's blog to get a preview from her.

I thought instead that I would give you a second peek at some of the work in the book. Aaaaaand, since I already shared with you one of my featured pieces, I asked Karen if instead of talking more about me (which of course is fun and all) it would be ok to give you all a peek at someone else in the book: Bobbie Rafferty. 

I could gush all afternoon about Bobbie's beadwork, and was thrilled when Karen said it would be great to give a shout out on her piece. But what I really wanted to know was the story behind the intriguing face? And so I asked Bobbie, and she told me that it was something a friend gave her years ago who owned a bead shop where she taught. Where she of course also frequently shopped ... what self respecting beader could hold back if you just happened to be in the shop teaching?!


Her friend bought several of the faces, but people weren't buying as the light purple tint on the profile seemed challenging? So her friend handed one to Bobbie and said "do something with it." Bobbie certainly did! But she did confess that it took her 10 years to finish, LOL. This baby went back and forth across state lines and was part of a pack up and move, then rediscovery before it was complete. 

Bobbie told me her inspiration was the sea. She said ....
"She just always looked like a mermaid or sea nymph to me, and the color of her face was the soft pinkish purple you find inside a shell. I had tiny shells from the beach, which I thought I could weave in, but getting the needle through the natural lengthwise hole formed by the swirl of the shell was impossible. I was afraid that they were too delicate to drill a hole into. So even though I swore everything would be stitched around the face, glue became my friend in making the hair. After that, I completed the bezel, made some ruffles to imitate waves and seafoam, started expanding the freeform."

I can imagine that this piece lured many to pick it up, and Bobbie said she sure did ...
"Once she was finished, she was always front and center in my display at shows, serving as a great lure for passersby into my booth.  She was in an exhibition at the Kentucky Artisans Center. I wore her to a couple of events. And then at one show, she went home with a charming lady who fell in love with her."

There are just so many wonderful pieces to pour over in Karen's book. And it isn't all just eye candy (which I know we all love). She's also got lots of instruction on stitches. and she makes it a point to show how artist bring their pieces together. Anyone who has tried freeform has likely struggled a bit with it - at least at first. It feels messy, and there aren't any instructions. So getting a sense of the thought process can be very helpful when you're trying to find your freeform style. Karen really covered a lot of territory in this book!

I hope you'll take the time over the next few days to stop in and visit the other artists on the book tour. Oh and there is a drawing too! Just hop around to the blogs and comment. Each comment (per blog) counts as an entry in the drawing (a total of 8 for each participating blog). Karen will announce the winner on her blog Saturday January 24th.

Book Blog Tour and Launch Party  January 15-20, 2015
Thursday (January 15) Karen Williams of Baublicious
Friday (January 16) Cynthia Machata of Antiquity Travelers
Saturday (January 17) Nancy Dale of NED Beads
Sunday (January 18) Bobbie Rafferty Beadsong Jewelry
Monday (January 19) Natalia Malysheva of Aqvatali
Monday (January 19) Sarah Meadows of Saturday Sequins
Tuesday (January 20) Ibolya Barkóczi of Ibolya-gyöngyei 
Tuesday (January 20) Mandi Ainsworth of Bead Circle 

27 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Cynthia. Love your peaks into the book and your point that there is lots of info in the book on how to handle the "hard times" of a free form beading project.

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  2. Cynthia, you are in great company in Karen's freeform book. Not only are the featured designers outstanding, but your work as well is as always awesome.
    I'm loving reading about the insight into the designs of each piece.

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  3. It is such a testimony to your character that you highlight Bobbie's work instead of your own today. Your generosity knows no end :-)
    Your piece is one of the best you have ever made and is in great company with all of Karen's intriguing and beautiful freeform. And it is SO nice to see Bobbie's mermaid again! I remember seeing it a while back (way back!) on her blog as she was pondering and possibly finishing. That beautiful sea lady was a true labor of love and Bobbie beaded her up just right. The shell hair is just genius.

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  4. Karen's book has been on my bedside table ever since it arrived in the mail. The photography in this book is amazing, and Bobbie's piece always catches my eye when I'm skimming through. So it was really nice to hear a little more of Aphrodite's story!

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  5. What a great post! I love that bottle and Bobbi's work is always beautiful!

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  6. Bobbie and I had chatted about her piece as I worked on the book and I was sad that I couldn't include more of its backstory. How delightful to see it here!

    And to learn about the origin of the seashell hair. Truly beautiful! I can't say it enough, so I'll say it again - thank you Cynthia for being a part of this project! :)

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  7. Oh I love your post!! And both of you (you and Bobbie) are totally amazing. I'm so happy to be part of such a wonderful group of creativity! It's wonderful to be able to have a new blog to visit every day, and revisit each artist from the book. :)

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  8. The book is on my wishlist for nu birthday in februari. Reading your wonderful post,make me want it more!
    Beading greetings from Holland

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  9. Oh wow - loved this post and look forward to seeing the book. Love how you have ventured into the seed bead arena and creating up a storm! Inspiration plus with some amazing artists! Love it!

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  10. I love that you chose to highlight another artist in the book - and what a piece - wowsers!! It's incredible. And, I love the story behind her beautiful work of art, too!

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  11. What a talent! These pieces are absolutely amazing. The sea inspiration really shines through!

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  12. Such amazing talent and creativity! Those pieces are incredible!

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  13. Thank you!!!! I am so incredibly touched and humbled that you chose my piece to talk about on your blog, when your work is so stunning. What an enormous treat to have my work included alongside artist whose creations regularly make my jaw drop!

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  14. This is a hugely fun blog hop/tour!!! Congrats on being in the book! Bobbie's piece is quite amazing!

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  15. I agree, this book has great instructions, not to mention great eye candy!

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  16. Such an inspirational book! Congrats!

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  17. When I read that Bobbie's piece took 10 years to finish I felt like there might be hope for some of the things that languish in my "unfinished" box. LOL. It's an amazing piece and I can totally see why you choose to focus on it.

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  18. Hi Cynthia! Love the book, love your work in it and am very happy that I happened to stumble onto the Blog tour...I've missed you guys!

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  19. I was first introduced to Peyote stitch when a good friend, who spent many years in New Mexico, gave me cool little medicine bag he made. He was taught by a Native American outside tiny Madrid, New Mexico (pronounced MAD-rid, lol). So to see these amazing organic shapes is blowing my mind. Love "Messages in a Bottle" - all coral and shell. Too cool. How great to showcase this work on your blog. Very generous!

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  20. Wow, these pieces are amazing! I can only image the amount of hours that goes in to each piece! Congrats on being featured in the book as well :)

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  21. Wow very creative!!! I like it!!!
    Have a good week!!! my g+ for you!!!:)))

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  22. Cynthia,

    I loved your post and enjoyed the story about Bobbie's necklace.

    I always enjoy your posts.

    Carolyn
    Carolynscreations@live.com

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  23. Fabulous idea and great images! Keep them coming!!

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  24. Love your posts. Explorations...is definitely on my wish list.
    Cyndi201@msn.com

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  25. It would be fun to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  26. Loved reading your post and interview with Bobbie. Also found a new Blog that I like!

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