Beading on the go

V08-3a - Pearl Crystal Drop 'V' - Interlock Band

My best beading time is when I’m traveling to bead shows or for vacation. I can bead on a Chinet® plate on my knee in planes and trains, but find the lap tray works best for automobiles. Best of all, the tray doubles up as a handy navigational tool for my maps, brochures and wallet for tolls, as well as the beadwork kit.

I’ve also found I can photograph my work as we’re driving. Somehow the speed of the camera is in sync with my husband's driving. This discovery is a time saver because there is no creative down time. Just tested out the iPhone for this 'gerdan' and voila, here are the results in motion.

So, take your beading wherever you go. You never know when the opportunity to bead presents itself...

Happy beading!

Netted 'V' in progress taken by an iPhone on I-94 en route to Chicago

Toronto Bead Society Bead Fair

TW-WL-TM3 - Pearl Twig Willow Twist

SWG4-810 - Refined Pearl Swags

Rypan Designs at the Toronto Bead Society Bead Fair, Spring 2010

This was taken on Day 1 of the Bead Fair at the CNIB, a bright and airy room. There's one piece of artwork on the wall and I'm right in front of it. Some say the art is overwhelming, but I find it novel and fresh. It provides me with an extra ledge to display my beadwork easels. Can you see me? How about all my beadwork kits and patterns? It's amazing what folks have been zeroing in on. It's fun! Sunday is the last day...

Metallic Twist Collection

CLMN-TM1 - Twisted Columns Bracelet

TW-WL-TM1 - Twig Willow Twist

Here's my newest contemporary 'gerdan' collection created around exquisitely twisted bugles with a metallic edge from the Czech Republic. It has coordinating metallic-lined drops and triangle beads and comes in copper and bronze gold.

The wider twisted bugles and copper-lined drops were used in the bracelet. The finer bugles and triangle beads were used in the necklace choker. Metallic seed beads were used sparingly to frame the twisted bugles and make the drops and triangles pop. Twig Willow Choker looks nice up worn up high.

Beadwork kits and patterns will be ready for the Toronto Bead Society Bead Fair this weekend. Contact me if you would like one or the full set. Check my Events for upcoming bead shows. It never seizes to amaze me how beadwork comes together when you keep asking, "What if?". It's fascinating and fun.

TW-WL-TM3 - Twig Willow Twist

Pearl Drop Crystal 'V's

V08-3a - Pearl Drop Crystal 'V' - Interlocking Band

Here's the latest creation ready with full instructions in beadwork kit or pattern form in time for teaching this weekend at the Ottawa Bead Society.

It began with a "What IF?" and the 'gerdan' morphed into these two necklace. This is a springtime variation of the Opulent Crystal 'V'. The interlocking band was tightened by alternating four seed beads instead of five. Swarovski pearls added drama. Then I thought of just suspending the netted 'V' from a string of luxurious pearls? I like it! Would you believe there are five different sizes of pearls between the two variations?

V08-3b - Pearl Drop Crystal 'V' - Strung Pearls

This is so new, you'll just have to ask for it. I'll get it and other new goodies into the Catalogue in May. Better yet, come to see them in person to the Toronto Bead Society's Bead Fair May 1st & 2nd or Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee.

Beaded Eggs & Greeting Cards

Beaded Eggs by Vira Pavlova-Witkowska, Lviv, Ukraine

as seen in "A Conversation on Ukrainian-Style Beadwork with Maria Rypan",

BEADWORK, Oct/Nov 2009

Best wishes for a Happy and Blessed Easter full of peace, health and God's blessings. May you enjoy a springtime full of creativity.

Last week I created a greeting card with the above image as an Easter/note card. There were a lot of people to thank in the past two months of travel and presentations, bead shows and workshops. Alberta Council for Ukrainian Arts (ACUA), Edmonton and all the museums; Kule Folklore Centre at the University of Alberta, Grand River Beads and Gift Gallery, OH; Beads N'More and Hall of Fame Bead Guild, OH; GLBG, MI; Canadian Oasis Shows to name a few.

If you'd like to purchased beaded eggs or cards, please let me know. I have a few of Vira's eggs, as well as cards for sale. This just could be a start of a new line...

Happy Easter,

Maria

Frosty Magic in Edmonton

Have you ever seen anything like it? This is Mother Nature's handiwork outside my hosts Sonia and John's home. It happened on a bright sunny morning in the north end of Edmonton. It's hoare frost on the weeping birch tree and the mountain ash with a bird feeder. Amazing... what an inspiration for beaded Twig Cascades and Twig Willows.

Upcoming "White Aster" Photo Album

Maria & Iryna Senyk review fashion sketches, 1990

I'm strolling down memory lane while putting together a Photo Album of Iryna Senyk's “White Aster of Love” Book Project by the UCWLC St. Demetrius Branch, Toronto (1989 - 1992 and beyond).

This will be an on-screen photo show which will retell the story of how the Project mushroomed from simply designing dresses from smuggled fashion sketches of a former political prisoner from Ukraine in 1989 to having her poetry translated and published in a deluxe art book. I was the fashion designer of the “Iryna Senyk” embroidered dresses, did the layout and design of the “White Aster of Love” book, produced a Gala Premiere Book Launch at the Marriott Hotel in 1992 and subsequent travelling "Tribute to Iryna" slide show. I will be presenting the Powerpoint "Album" Monday, Feb. 8th, 8. p.m. at the UCWLC meeting at St. Demetrius Church in Toronto. I hope my tribute to Senyk, whose poetry, fashion sketches and miniature embroideries inspired the bilingual "White Aster" book, will remind the ladies how the League's involvement brought Senyk's poetry and embroidery to the world.

Folks will be amazed by the scope and breadth of this project. All welcome.