And so it begins............

In late December I started to think about subject matter for the Bead Journal Project.
The only parameters for the project are that you must do one project a month, it must include some beads and it must always be the same size. Which leaves the door open to many possibilities.
I usually work very organically. I start with a focal point and start laying out a palette of beads of all different sizes and shapes. From there I start working spontaneously, picking and choosing as I go. I really enjoy the element of surprise along the way.

About a mile from our house is The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
It is a very magical place. It constantly changes through the different seasons.
So my thought is to use the garden as a source of inspiration for the bead journal project.
Every month my husband, Greg and I will go there take photographs. I will use these photographs as jumping off points for my pieces.
My major goal in joining this project was to bring some of my my knowledge of textile techniques to my bead work. So each piece will include at least one of the following techniques with the bead work:
crocheting, knitting, ribbon work, basketry and weaving.
I will be working on a background that is 6 inches X 4 inches.
Some pieces may ultimately be 2 -D and others may end up 3-D?

And so it begins.......................