Shibori Ribbon

I found a wonderful Shibori ribbon pin by Ann Ricotta soulshine-studio.com which I purchased on her Etsy site.  I was intrigued with the design and could easily see how I might be able to incorporate it into one of the wearable art brooches.  I started a new "Day Lady" pin and as I play with the ribbon, I like the way it creates unexpected opportunities as well as a bit of mystery as it surrounds the face.  Can't wait to give it a try once I finish embellishing her headdress!

Finally...

I've decided that my chief job as the artist is to "listen" carefully as I am constantly reminded that my ideas are only suggestions and the less I hold on to a specific outcome, the more likely I'll like the end result.  

Changing Direction...

I've given up on the wood beads; I hate giving up but the fact is the face is really the one who decides and she just wasn't having those irregular, organic things around her head.  Even though she looks like she's been dug up out of the sand, she has this air of "bling" in her essence that must be satisfied.  I'm starting to like the feel of it so I guess I'll just keep heading in this direction and see what emerges!

OOPS....

I thought I had the perfect bead to surround this face but no matter which way I turn, nothing works.  I love the wood beads; irregular and organic in nature they seem to complement the face AND the frame in which it will live.  But as hard as I try, no other bead wants to live with it - making the ability to design the rest of the piece almost impossible.  Sooooo.....it's time to start over!  But what to do????

Nope...not quite; looks a bit too contrived.  She wants something unique but I'm just not getting the picture.  I think the wood beads are going to have to go - just can't seem to make them work.  DARN!

No matter what I am doing, I have always liked working at a fast pace, as it allows me to get into a meditative rhythm making me feel one with the action.  I have been known to "overthink" things and so this type of "doing" pulls me out  

of my thoughts and gives me a peaceful feeling.

Bead weaving, however, isn't something I can do "fast" as that not only leaves me unhappy with the outcome, but can result in many hours of "undoing" what took hours to do in the first place.  Instead, I've learned to slow my pace with deliberate and mindful movements as I watch and calculate the in and out of the needle as it pierces the fabric and attaches each bead into place.

Then, before I know it, the time to "think" is upon me again along with questions like;  which new beads should I choose, what colors, sizes and shapes will add to the overall essence and which ones will try and dominate; taking the piece in an entirely different direction? My mind inevitably loops around in circles as it tries to decide; pulled this way and that like a kid in a candy store who can't decide which colorful piece of sugar to pop in her mouth.

Coming to this place over and over again, I've come to the conclusion that "thinking" isn't quite the way to answer these questions.   Instead, I find that "feeling" or "sensing" which beads want to be included and where they want to be placed allows me to share the responsibility of the overall design with them and in doing so, gives the piece it's own energy, esthetics and unique personality.