The Lone Beader

Stainless Steel Bumper

2008-07-19T07:27:00.001-04:00

(Semi-beaded 2008 DeLorean time machine. 19" x 6.5". Beadwork in progress.)

Okay, it's not really a stainless steel bumper. It's made out of hex-cut Czech glass seed beads. I used those instead of bugle beads because I wanted it to look different than the rest of my beaded time machine. I'm not exactly sure I like it though.... Maybe the car just needs a few more layers of seed beads. What do you think? :o

Elektrik Blue Beams

2008-07-17T11:23:00.000-04:00

Last night, I dug through my blue seed beads. I chose about 6 different shades of blue to use for the headlight beams on my 2008 DeLorean Time Machine. Then, I began to do some bead embroidery all around the edge of the beams.

Since the car is actually traveling through time in this stage of my beaded Back to the Future Trilogy, the headlight beams will be electric blue and a very bright white when viewed head on. In reality, the beams of light would appear to come straight out of the car in sort of 3-dimensional way, and this is what I hope to achieve in the long run. I haven't quite figured out how to do that yet, but I have a few ideas. We'll see what happens... one beam at a time! :D

(19" x 6.5". Beadwork in progress. Click to enlarge)

Zipper Wire Tires

2008-07-16T02:17:00.003-04:00

(Semi-beaded 2008 DeLorean time machine. 19" x 6.5".
Pop art in progress. Click for close-up.)

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Collector's Item

2008-07-15T00:37:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, I noticed that the Bead International 2008 & Beyond Basketry book is finally available for sale! If you are unable to go to the exhibit in Athens, Ohio this summer, you can purchase the full-colour catalog through the Dairy Barn Arts Center's online shop for $24.95. Inside you'll find great photos of inspiring beaded art, as well as a word from the artists themselves. This is the first time my bead art has ever been published in a book. It is also the last time my real name will be published in reference to my beadwork which means this could be a collector's item someday... ya neva know... ;)

(Click the book cover below to purchase.)

Also, don't forget that just for fun, I have decided to add my beaded fire truck image to my CafePress shop for a LIMITED TIME ONLY. Currently, Engine Co. 6 is available on postcards, a totebag, a coffee mug, a mousepad, and a magnet. This offer will run for the duration of the Bead International 2008 exhibit-through Sept 1, 2008 ONLY. Please stop by my shop and take a peek. Thank you for your interest in my beadwork! :D

DeLorean DMC-12

2008-07-14T06:01:00.005-04:00

(Semi-beaded 2008 DeLorean time machine. 19" x 6.5". )

The DMC-12 was the only model ever produced by the DeLorean Motor Company.

(Car #2 of 3 in a beaded Back to the Future Trilogy. )

Just a Matter of Thread

2008-07-12T20:06:00.001-04:00

Today, I was working on beading my DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future. First I started using black Nymo (nylon) thread. When I ran out, I realized I had a bobbin of gray Conso #69 thread right there on my work table. I remembered I bought it at Beadworks in Boston, but I had never tried it before. (Below is a photo of both threads so you can see the difference.)

(Nymo- left. Conso- right.)

Conso is a bonded nylon industrial quilting/upholstery thread. It is pretty strong, so I thought I should try it out. After I did, I wondered why Beadworks would sell this. I guess you could use it for simple stringing. Or maybe a bead-knitting or beadweaving project, but I don't think I would. It seems to be strong enough to withstand the sharp edges of my Czech glass bugle beads, but it is very twisted, and it's hard to thread the needle with. Then, it seems hard to pull the thread through my many layers of felt!

Somehow I made the Conso thread work for a little while, but I think I'm a Nymo girl at heart:)

(Semi-beaded 2008 DeLorean. 19" x 6.5". Work in progress.)

Czech Steel Beads

2008-07-11T14:07:00.003-04:00

I was looking through my bead stash to pick out colours for my beaded DeLorean DMC-12 when I realized I have many choices of seed beads!

First I looked through my gray beads, then I looked through my metallic beads...

Then, I remembered I had these:

These are some of the beads I purchased in the Czech Republic! They are steel-coloured glass seed beads. Hex cuts and bugles. I'm not sure, but I think they're gonna make my beaded time machine look cool! Now, I better get beading! :D

Whaam!

2008-07-10T00:52:00.000-04:00

Today, I cut out some more felt for my beaded 2008 DeLorean Time Machine. This will be the foundation which I will do bead embroidery on, and it is now 11 layers (approx. 1") thick.

Hmmm... the felt sort of has that Roy Lichtenstein 'Whaam!' look to it... Cool! :D

Next, I have to pick out some seed beads...

Not Enough

2008-07-09T00:59:00.004-04:00

Today, I started to work on what will be my first beaded DeLorean time machine inspired by the 1985 film Back to the Future.

I wanted to cut out more felt than these 4 layers, but there are simply not enough hours in the day! :o

Back Just in Time

2008-07-07T10:15:00.002-04:00

"The way I see it, if you're going to build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style??"

Just a few sketches for my next project - a beaded Back to the Future Trilogy featuring the 2008 DeLorean. How's that for style?

Bead Art 4 Sale

2008-07-06T00:20:00.009-04:00

Below is a list of my beaded paintings which are currently available for purchase. For prices or information regarding commissions, please contact me through my website, thelonebeader.com. Thank you for your interest in my beadwork:)

(click images to enlarge)

www.flickr.com

The Lone Beader's My Bead Art For Sale photoset

P.S. Please check in tomorrow to see plans for my next piece:)

Inspirations

2008-07-05T01:57:00.006-04:00

A few months ago, one of my favourite bead artists and friend, Robin Atkins, asked me a favor. She wanted me to write a brief quote which described her new book, Heart to Hands Bead Embroidery.

I was honoured that she would ask me to write a quote because afterall, it was probably one of her books that got me addicted to bead embroidery in the first place! Just before it hit the press, Robin sent me a sneak peek of the book to ponder. I will say that writing a description of a book I've never read was not easy, but after a few days, I came up with the following:

"Robin's book will teach you how to expand your own artistic journey. Vibrant photos of her work will ignite your passion for beading, and you'll learn bead embroidery quickly with her garden of techniques. Most importantly, Robin demonstrates that inspiration to create comes from within..."

A few days ago, I finally received my copy in the mail, and I was thrilled to see my quote on the inside flap of the back cover:

(click to enlarge)

Robin also signed the inside of my book! :D

After reading through the book, I must say I agree with everything I wrote! And, I felt that her words could even apply to me! Now, I am re-inspired to create beaded cars and other vehicles I love. I am motivated to work on my self-portrait series. I am thinking about how to recreate my childhood memories using seed beads. I will continue to add my own special twist to each piece to help convey my message to the world. And, maybe someday, I will even publish my own pop-up pop art beadwork book...

Thank you, Robin. Your inspirations were the motivation I needed to start planning my next piece... :D

Celebrate

2008-07-04T00:15:00.009-04:00

Thanks for all your comments on my last post! It probably seemed like it took forever for me to complete the Gasoline District, but it actually didn't. I started working on it 14 weeks ago, but remember, I took 3 weeks off in April to visit Prague, as well as one week off to go to Bead International. So, the largest piece I have ever created only took 10 weeks to bead! I guess I'm still working at the same ~~slow &~~ steady rate... ;)

Anyways, today is Independence Day, the day which we celebrate the birth of our great nation. I figured that everyone else is probably writing about how they are having picnics with family, cooking burgers on the grill, watching fireworks, or setting off bottle rockets on their front lawn while drinking beer. So, I decided that this year, I'm not going to mention it. Instead, I think I think I'll head to the beach with a good book, and contemplate what my next piece should be...

Have a Safe & Happy 4th of July! :D

Gasoline District

2008-07-02T09:48:00.007-04:00

If you've ever been to Boston, Massachusetts, you've probably visited the Theatre District, the Financial District, and maybe even the Garment District. Well, now, we have the Gasoline District. To get there, just take the Green Line to Kenmore Square.

Beaded Boston Citgo sign: 10" x 10"

Beaded Boston trolley: 7"h x 19"w x 2"d

Gasoline District
24" x 48" wide
glass seed beads & acrylics

Thank you for riding the MBTA. :D

Gulf Oil

2008-07-01T00:14:00.001-04:00

(Bead embroidery on vinyl and Ultrasuede. 2" wide.)

This Gulf gas station sign was the last beaded sign on my list to create. This sign will accompany my beaded Boston trolley train... I used size 11 orange seed beads, and size 15's for the letters. Now, all I have to do is finish stitching everything onto my painted stretched canvas. Please tune in tomorrow for the finished piece...

Lovin' It

2008-06-30T09:07:00.001-04:00

I know it's not exactly the best fuel on earth, but on rare occasions, McDonald's food certainly serves its purpose...

(Bead embroidery on felt. 2" x 3" wide. Click to enlarge.)

Signs

2008-06-28T07:56:00.001-04:00

It amazes me how quickly these beaded gas station signs seem to pop up overnight! :o

Oh, Thank Heaven...

2008-06-27T00:22:00.000-04:00

(Bead embroidered 7-11 sign. 3.25" x 3.25" wide. Click to enlarge.)

... for 7-Eleven!! :D

HESS is the Best

2008-06-25T08:55:00.001-04:00

(Bead-embroidered Hess gas station sign. 2" x 3.75" wide.)

Where do you go to get gasoline??

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Mobil Gas

2008-06-24T09:37:00.001-04:00

Today I want to show you the method I used to 'transfer the image' for my beaded Mobil gas station sign. This sign is the sixth sign in a series which will accompany my beaded Boston trolley and Citgo sign.

First, I resized my sketch in Microsoft Word and printed it out. Then, I stitched the paper to the 'wrong' side of a black piece of vinyl. Next, I used some dark blue and vintage red size 11 seed beads to embroider the letters. I stitched directly over the paper.

Then, I rinsed the beadwork under water to soften the paper, and gently pulled it away from the beads. Any small bits of paper left can be pulled out with the tip of a beading needle, or you can wait for it to dry, and repeat the process.

This Mobil sign measures 2" wide x 1/2" tall.

Before I move on, I think I'm going to layer the beads a bit. Then, I just have a few more signs to complete. Back to beading! :D

Store 24

2008-06-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I had time to bead my Store 24 sign. I plan to include this convenience store sign in my beaded Boston trolley piece. Store 24 is different than all of the other store signs, because they do not sell gasoline - only food items, scratch tickets and magazines. Most Store 24's in the greater Boston area are indeed open 24 hours, but there are also a good number of them that close at midnight...

My beaded sign is quite small - measuring approx. 0.75" x 1.25" wide. This sign was bead-embroidered using size 15 seed beads. To get the letters close to perfect, I first re-sized my drawing on my computer and printed it out. Then, I cut out the image and stitched the paper onto a piece of black vinyl. I stitched right through the paper. When I was finished, I simply ran the piece under water and gently pulled the paper away from the beads. That worked so well, I think I might have to use that method again! :D

University Central

2008-06-22T07:41:00.003-04:00

(Bead - embroidered Boston trolley & Citgo sign on acrylic painted canvas. 24" x 48". Artwork in progress. Click to enlarge.)

Yesterday, I stitched my beaded Boston trolley train and two of my gas station signs onto my painted stretched canvas. I wanted to see how everything would look together... Looks kinda like the train is headed toward the B.U. East MBTA stop late at night! Now, I think I should definitely add some more beaded signs... :D

Sunoco, Inc.

2008-06-20T01:29:00.000-04:00

Today, I worked on my beaded Sunoco sign. This sign will accompany my beaded Boston trolley and Citgo sign when I am ready to assemble my piece.

First, I sketched the image onto tracing paper. Then, I stitched the tracing paper onto a piece of vinyl which I backed with a piece of felt. And finally, I began stitching on some blue seed beads for the letters.

After that was complete, I stitched yellow size 11 seed beads in the spaces around the letters. This also pushed the blue beads closer together so that they actually look like letters.

After that, the rest came together rather quickly!

(Bead embroidered Sunoco sign. 3" x 4" wide. Click to enlarge.)

Which sign should I bead next?? :D

Beaded Shell Station

2008-06-18T09:22:00.000-04:00

(Bead embroidered Shell gas station sign. 2.5" x 3". )

It didn't take long for gas prices like these to become history... :/

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Exxon Building

2008-06-16T12:49:00.000-04:00

Last night during the Celtics game, I worked on beading my Exxon gas station sign. If you're just passing by, this sign will be included in a much larger piece which features my beaded Boston trolley train and Citgo sign.

I cut out a piece of black vinyl and started stitching some seed beads onto the 'wrong' side of it. I used 4 colours altogether: size 11 transparent red, hex-cut red, size 11 transparent aqua seed beads, and dark sapphire 3mm bugle beads. After I finished beading, I noticed that I probably should have stiffened the vinyl somehow, because it is puckered a little bit...

But, the material is a little stretchy, so I'll just make it work somehow when I stitch it onto my 24 x 48" stretched canvas. Overall, I like how it looks...

It's Boston's future Exxon building...