Introduction, confession, and a plan

Greetings! This is my first year participating in the Bead Journal Project, and I thought hard before deciding to sign up. Don't get me wrong -- I loved the (gorgeous!) beadwork I had seen through Robin Atkin's blog posts about the BJP, and I know that these kinds of journal projects can be wonderful for artistic growth and building community among artisans. But I have a tendency to overcommit myself. There are so many things I want to do that I often take on more than I can realistically complete. I didn't want to have this turn into yet another unfinished project -- yet another failed commitment.

So I waited, and pondered . . . and then I signed up.

There were several reasons I finally decided to join in. I knew that regular beading would increase my skill level and push me to explore new design and new technique. There is nothing like regularly doing the work to foster artistic growth. I also find that hand beading is very meditative for me. I've never been good at quiet contemplation -- I like to always be engaged in productive work. Bead embroidery is pretty much the only activity that keeps me still and focused for hours at a time. This summer, I had a foot injury and was told to keep off my feet as much as possible. I started a new bead project that same day, as I knew that was the only thing that would keep me from getting up every couple of minutes. (Alas, I haven't finished it yet . . . see the above overcommitment issue.) It seemed to me that regular beading would probably have a beneficial effect on my mental health, in the same way meditation does. The project also seemed like the perfect prompt to connect with a series of beaded works I had in mind.

Some years ago, I got involved in our campus V-Day production. Every year, the students put on a production of Eve Ensler's play, The Vagina Monologues, as a fundraiser for organizations working to end violence against women. The play is a series of monologues about women's experiences of their bodies and their sexuality, based on Eve Ensler's interviews with a diverse group of women. In the final monologue, Eve describes her experience of awe and reverence while being at the birth of her granddaughter. She compares the vagina to a heart:

The heart is capable of sacrifice.
So is the vagina.
The heart is able to forgive and repair.
It can change its shape to let us in.
It can expand to let us out.
So can the vagina.
It can ache for us and stretch for us, die for us and bleed and bleed us into this difficult wondrous world.
So can the vagina.
---Eve Ensler, The Vagina Monologues (2001, p.124-5)

So I began a series of V-hearts, beaded fabric hearts with abstract vulva-like imagery (similar to Georgia O'Keefe's flowers). Some were based on monologues in the play, and some were just explorations of the idea more generally. I gave most of these away to the performers in the show that year, but I have been wanting to get back to this series to explore the idea more fully, and began a few more over the summer. So my plan for the BJP is to have my monthly beaded journal be heart-shaped. The hearts are usually pretty small (large brooch/pendant size), although I don't know exactly what size I'll use. I'll explore and expand my V-Heart series, although I'm also open to seeing what else emerges from the heart shape.

I don't have much of my beadwork on my blog, but you can see my latest bellydance belt and bra and a beaded necklace I made for a friend a few years ago.

I'm excited about the Beaded Journal Project! I'm looking forward to seeing where it takes us.

Oh, and to our hard-working blog administrator: I'm not listed on the authors roll. Can I be added? I go by Deborah C. Stearns, and my blog is: http://deborahstearns.blogspot.com/ Thanks!

Hi Everyone

I am back! Going to do one more year. Welcome to everyone new here and hi to everyone returning. I haven't settled on a size or anything else yet. I've got ideas. We'll see how it goes.
Timaree

2010 Here I come!

Hello all- I am new to this project and am really looking forward to the new inspiration that the BJP will bring to my creative work. I am a textile artist who works in a variety of techniques. I have added beads to knitting projects (my wedding dress), to free-motion machine and hand embroidery work, felting projects, jewelry and more. I'm still mulling over my format for the project, but I think I would like to continue to explore the use of beads in a variety of techniques, within the parameters of a set dimension. I look forward to the challenge of blogging about my progress and adding this topic to my current blog. I also can't wait to learn more about the other BJP artists and to be inspired by their talent and creativity!

Pam P.

Ready to begin again - Double Infinity

Hi there. This is Double Infinity / angiemerie/ Lynn Lytle from Katy Texas. Somehow i just got in for the next round and am feeling a little apprehensive. Last year was my first BJP and i did all 12 4x4 which are now hanging on my wall. When i look at them i can't believe i made them myself with no instructions! Learning to listen to and work with your internal muse can be difficult with an 8 and 9 year old, 2 dogs, and 1 cat - not to mention a husband! But i so enjoyed the process last year - i need to get back in that groove again! I haven't done any beading since my August panel, but i've got a few ideas. Can't wait to see what happens. TTYL...

Welcome Everyone to the 2010 Bead Journal Project

We begin the third year of the BJP with 287 members, many of whom are returning to the project after participating in either or both of the previous years! A special warm welcome to our new members! For you, it may seem bewildering or even a little scary. Not to worry, you’ll soon find your groove. The BJP blogs will help, as you can post questions here any time.

To both returning and new members, please read the following guidelines! I believe they will help us all to stick with our commitment to this one-year project!

Relax and have fun with it! Bend the rules a little if you need to. The commitment you’ve made is 100% for YOU, for your own benefit and enjoyment. So, each month, as you begin your piece, try to please yourself… not me, not the other members, not your beady friends… YOU!

There are only three basic rules… A. Make one piece a month. B. Include some beads on each piece. C. Make all 12 of your pieces the same size/shape.

If your initial plan/idea doesn’t work for you, change it! In the past two years, I notice some members dropping out because their plan/idea was too ambitious or sometimes because it suited the first few months but didn’t fit well after that. You are free to make changes anytime during the year.

You don’t have to apply a theme to your work, although some find working with a theme very compelling. But, if you start with a theme and later get tired of it, feel free to let it go at any time.
Consistency will naturally happen. You do not have to strive for it. Actually, it’s not a problem at all if your work seems inconsistent!

The BJP is non-competitive! Each and every piece is valid. Each and every piece has merit. Each and every piece is an important step in your personal development as an artist and craftsperson. Each and every piece is an accomplishment! We are a supportive group, encouraging each member to do what works for them in the best way they can. Try to look at your own work with the same non-judgmental eyes that you would use for the work of others in the project.

There are no BJP police! You don’t have to post pictures. You do not have to report to anybody that you finished your piece each month. You can bend the size rule (that all 12 pieces should be the same size and shape) if it will keep you active in the project. Although we encourage you to do one piece per month, you can start a month’s piece early, do two in one month, skip a month… again, whatever it takes to keep yourself active.

There are many possibilities to explore each month! You might try visual journaling or telling the story of your life during this month in a visual way. You might set yourself a learning goal, such as to try one new technique each month. You might consider using your BJP pieces to “get out of the box” and experiment with colors, design and/or style. You are free to set your own goals for the year’s work, if you wish.

If you’re looking for inspiration, I suggest looking at the member pages on the BJP website, here and here. You are eligible to have your own member page when you have completed 8 pieces for this year. Also, I posted pictures of 42 of my favorite pieces from last year’s BJP on my blog, here.

Don’t stress about finishing… about how you will finish each month’s piece or what you will do with the year’s work. Some members have a clear idea of what they want to make with their pieces at the end of the year; many do not know at all. Some will create a wall hanging or a book-like assemblage, while others may not make anything at all with their pieces. Either way is fine. Remember, the real payoff of this work is doing it each month!

You are not required to have a personal blog or website. You don’t even have to take pictures of your finished pieces. All of that is voluntary. However, it’s my impression that those who do post about their BJP experiences and progress on a personal blog seem to develop a wonderful sense of support and community with other BJP members. So, although it’s not required, I do encourage you to give blogging a try.

The BJP blogs are your link to the group! We do have a few guidelines about the blogs as follows:

1. We have three BJP blogs because Blogger limits every group-blog to a maximum of 100 authors. To accommodate all of us, we have divided the group into three equal sub-groups. You are assigned to one sub-group and are able to write a post on that blog only. However, I encourage you to follow and read all three blogs!

2. All posts must be relevant to the BJP. In other words, please don’t post text or pictures about other beadwork you are doing on the BJP blogs. However, when you believe it would be of interest to most BJP members, you may post a sentence or two about a non-BJP topic and a link to a post about that topic on your own personal blog.

3. Please do not post pictures of your monthly pieces on the BJP blogs until after April 1st. The reason for this is that some members prefer not to be influenced by other member’s work until after their own style is set a little. You are welcome to post pictures on your own blog (if you have one) or on our Flickr page at any time. During the first three months, you are welcome to post a link on the BJP blogs to pictures posted elsewhere so that those members who are non concerned about being influenced can take a look. After April l, you may post pictures of your BJP pieces here on the BJP blogs.

4. Please, no movies or sound on the BJP blogs! We want to keep it easy and fast to download. Also, since we’ll have well over 1,000 posts by the end of the year, we have to be mindful of Bloggers “space limits.”

That’s about it, folks! Thanks for taking the time to read through these guidelines. If you have any questions, feel free to post them on the BJP blog or email them to me. Now it’s time to pick up some beads and get started!

Again, welcome everyone! I am in awe of you all for making this commitment and I totally look forward to getting to know you and seeing your BJP pieces!

Beadily yours,

Robin Atkins
Founder of the BJP