Spring has brought a new spurt of energy and goals for creative insight and output. My challenge continues to be how to do it all.
Like many of us, creativity can take many forms in construction (sewing, beading, lampworking, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, quilting) and function. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi writes in his book Creativity (1996) "Even the most abstract mind is affected by the surroundings of the body." The beauty of Spring and anticipation of its bounty has certainly spurred me on!
I titled my blog Bits and Beads as a nod to my past and future creative endeavors. Several years ago, I started a small jewelry-making business. While I never gave it enough time and dedication, I certainly enjoyed the short run.
Following my beading phase, I turned to sewing after a 20 year hiatus. Now, I'm committed to melding my love of sewing with my love of beading.
This month, I made a Marcy Tilton top (Vogue 8497) and added some beads and topstitching for effect. The center beads in the examples on the top were lampworked by me in my brother's shop. The last few photos are bracelets and necklaces made from my lampworked beads and purchased findings. I also sewed a Kindle cover and iPad cover from scrap fabrics.
Creativity continues to be a challenge for me. In future blogs, I hope to research creativity and examine the thought process and construction of more artistic clothing, hopefully culminating in wearable art!
Like many of us, creativity can take many forms in construction (sewing, beading, lampworking, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, quilting) and function. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi writes in his book Creativity (1996) "Even the most abstract mind is affected by the surroundings of the body." The beauty of Spring and anticipation of its bounty has certainly spurred me on!
I titled my blog Bits and Beads as a nod to my past and future creative endeavors. Several years ago, I started a small jewelry-making business. While I never gave it enough time and dedication, I certainly enjoyed the short run.
Following my beading phase, I turned to sewing after a 20 year hiatus. Now, I'm committed to melding my love of sewing with my love of beading.
This month, I made a Marcy Tilton top (Vogue 8497) and added some beads and topstitching for effect. The center beads in the examples on the top were lampworked by me in my brother's shop. The last few photos are bracelets and necklaces made from my lampworked beads and purchased findings. I also sewed a Kindle cover and iPad cover from scrap fabrics.
Creativity continues to be a challenge for me. In future blogs, I hope to research creativity and examine the thought process and construction of more artistic clothing, hopefully culminating in wearable art!
