Peacock Bead Set

Peacock Bead Set

 

Peacock Procession Closeup

Peacock Procession Closeup

The idea of the peacock bead is one that has been marinating in the back of my mind for a pretty long time. Actually the term “marinating” is a bit too gentle. . . ”Simmering” is more like it because it seems the idea stayed warm, even though a part of me just wanted to give up and move on.  When I first started making them, the peacocks were arranged on an ivory background. I liked them, but to me, they screamed, “HEY!! LOOK AT ME!! LOOK AT ME!!!  I”M A PEACOCK!!” Which to me, was sort of okay because peacocks carry themselves in a way that seems almost arrogant. Kind of like, they are looking at all of God’s other creatures and thinking, “Yeah, I’m sexier and more beautiful than you. My feathers are magically artistic and yours just keep warm.” Still, that’s not how I wanted to portray them, when it came right down to it.  When my work makes an abrupt statement, I always feel less than satisfied. I knew I wouldn’t get where I was going with my peacock idea unless I brought down the contrast volume a bit. What I really wanted was to portray the peacock in a way that was graceful and proud, yet subtle. Finally, I think my ideas were well communicated when I made the “Peacock Procession” set. This is a good thing, because I was totally ready to throw in the towel and move on to something else. I dunno what. . .Maybe beads that look “Stewie” from the Family Guy? lol

Overnight, I received a couple of emails, asking me what glasses were used to create these beads. So, I thought I’d share a bit about them here. The base glass is Double Helix, “Nix”. Nix is a fabulous silver glass because it shifts in blues and greens and sometimes I’ve seen a lovely irid purple. The peacock’s bodies were made with Double Helix’s “Triton”. The feathers were made using several different striking browns, (“Striking Color” and a little “Da Vinci”, by “Precision”), layered with blue and green transparents. As for the process, well, each bead took me about an hour and half to two hours so I can’t even attempt to try and explain the hows. I will tell you this though, the stringer was literally hair thin and I had to keep chasing them around my counter top because my fan was blowing them all over the place. LOL!! Ah. . .Fun times can always be had in my studio.

On a personal note, I did my first round of baby twin boy shopping!! (I wasn’t shopping for babies, I was shopping for stuff for babies.) I bought blankies and booties that look like little puppies. It was SO much fun, but this is a very small drop in the bucket. I intend to greet these little ones with lots of gifts from grandma. The babies are due in December, but we are expecting them sometime in November, since Twins rarely go to full term. Poor Ashley, she’s already showing pretty good. . .I can’t wait to see the belly a couple of months from now!