About 3 months ago, at a retreat with some beady friends, I finally decided to make my BJP pieces into soul cards, like tarot cards, with hard backs. I painted papers for the backs, rubber stamped each with the date and name of the piece, covered book board (heavy, dense cardboard) with the papers and glued my beadwork to the boards. Nice... or so I thought. Here are paired-pictures of each month's beading and painted/stamped back. All are click to enlarge.
However... after getting them all finished, and showing them to a few friends, I just didn't feel good about them. Handling them rumpled the picot edges. And, I didn't like stacking them one on top of the other, crushing the textural elements on many of them.
So, in the spirit of "if at first you don't succeed..." I'm on to a new plan and the backs are going bye-bye. You'll see... next post!
Posts
These are absolutely incredible!
ReplyDeleteI like the backs, they tell a story.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't have any alternative suggestions to offer....
They look fabulous together
Oh ! I just can't wait to see Plan B ! You know how much I lust for these cards!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to know I'm not the only who has changed her mind a zillion times about this. LOL. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
ReplyDeleteI THINK I'm going to frame mine in groups of three or four in shadowbox frames. Who knows? By tomorrow it may be something entirely different once again.
Arline
I liked the backs a lot...can you keep them in some other form than the backs of each piece?
ReplyDeleteHi Robin, I read this in a Scientific American article on creativity: "In the laboratory, failure also produces a phenomenon called resurgence—the emergence of behaviors that used to be effective in that situation—that leads to a competition among behaviors and to new interconnections. In other words, failure actually stimulates creativity directly. It really is valuable." A long-winded way to say, "if at first you don't succeed", but isn't it nice to know how well-regarded failure can be? Thanks for sharing, Terri Budrow-Nelson
ReplyDeleteThe Tarot card idea was awesome! But I well understand you not wanting the edges to get crumpled.
ReplyDeleteI am still going to stick with the shadowbox frame idea that I came up with at the onset of this project -- unless a better idea comes along . . .
Kathy V in NM (who needs to prod her husband into getting those frames started!)
They are stunning as a group and I agree with others that the backs tell a beautiful story...I wonder how you all might change your approach to the next challenge given this one? Would you choose a different size or shape from the beginning?
ReplyDeleteHi Robin,
ReplyDeleteI love your idea to make your journal pages into Soul cards! I've always been fascinated and drawn to any kind of tarot cards myself. However, after reading your post, I can understand the challenges and limitations of handling them and treating them like, well, cards. Especially stacking them.
I love Bobbi's idea of displaying the backs as well as the beaded pages so perhaps you can incorporate that into your Plan B. The backs are just as fabulous. Enjoy your process!
Great idea!
ReplyDeleteHang onto those backs...they are worthy!
ReplyDeleteStill, your reservations are clues to a more satisfying ending to this most incredible memoir...I will indeed "stay tuned".
Robin, you rock!!!!!
Those are so beautiful! I really loved May and I hope you can find a good way to keep the backs with them. Maybe in a book form? No matter how you finish it, it is a work of art.
ReplyDeleteWow, these are great. I too haven't made up my mind yet about what to do with the finished pages. I'm toying with the idea of combining them into some sort of wall hanging, but the idea hasn't gelled yet.
ReplyDelete--Geneviève
Wow. These are gorgeous, and what a fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteThese are all so beautiful! I love the tiger! Can't wait to see what you do! :D
ReplyDeleteI thought you'd made the book! What am I way behind? I like the idea of what you did here, but I agree, it needs a different way to be displayed. You'll figure it out.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
ReplyDeleteI love that your work tells a story about each piece. I am sad to see the backs go but you always have great ideas up your sleeve!
Sue
How amazing to see them all together! Your bead embroidered pieces are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely amazing! I'm completely inspired.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
ReplyDeleteYou are a marvel! What beautiful work you have here. I am in awe!
Thank you so much for coming by our "Project 8" blog while looking for Albie and thank you for taking the time to comment. You made my day.
Catherine Witherell
hi robin,
ReplyDeletehere i am again, i just can't get over your beautiful blog and all the wonderful pieces by you and your fellow BJP-ers.
i'd like to let you know that i featured your blog on mine, you can check out the post at-- http://abbieatplay.blogspot.com/2008/11/beadlust-life-creativity-and-beadwork.html
again, thank you for your heartful sharing, it stirs up powerful feelings in me and in many others!
happy days,
peachy