Sink Or Swim

I started journaling with beads several years ago.  I sew a mini pillow that I use as my canvas:

This one is titled, “Sink or Swim.”  It is 4.5 x 4.5 inches in size.

I find beading – especially Free Form Peyote Stitch – to be very meditative for me.

I like to bead with needle and thread and use beads of various sizes and colors.  In a sense, the beads are my paint and my needle and thread are my brush.

The stone for my fish face is called, Paint Brush Jasper.  I usually start my stitching separately and then sew it to my pillow.  I then add more beads until it takes the shape I want.  The other 3 stones I used (bluish-brown) are Multi-color Kyanite.

I often don’t know what I am going to make when I start one of my art pillows.  Sometimes the colors on the fabric will help me choose my bead colors.

I chose a pillow because it is easy to sew and symbolizes comfort to me.  Here is some details of the top:

I strung beads on a wire and then wrapped the wire around a ribbon and then sewed it to the top edge.  I tried to make it look like water.

I was working through some problems at the office when I created this one.  I was feeling a little like a fish out of water…

I started another mini art pillow about a year ago:

This one is more abstract and is influenced by nature.  I thought by showing it to you, I would be motivated to complete it!  🙂

I used a Resin donut as my base.  I then strung beads on a wire and wrapped the wire around the donut shape.  I am adding beads to the wire ones with peyote stitch.  I also want to include a feather.

I’m hoping that I can some day write a book on my mini art pillows.  And would love to know what you think about them!

Happy Creating!