Saturday 12 May 2012

First fairy steps on a magical journey

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”
Ira Glass


I read this quote on another blog a few weeks ago and it really struck a chord in me.   My beading mojo comes and goes but mostly stays gone so I do what I bet most of you do when that happens - you buy more beads hoping for inspiration!


Well enough of that - I have decided to set myself a beading challenge and I am really excited about it.  There is a book that has been causing a bit of a stir in my beading circles - Sabine Lippert's 'Beaded Fantasies'.  Its a wonderful book filled with all the bling a girl could wish for.


My challenge is this: I am going to bead my way through this book one project at a time and will blog about my experiences as I go along; searching for beads, mishaps, etc.  What do you think? I contacted Sabine for permission and she thought it was a great idea so I am all set.


I do want this to be an interactive challenge though and would love to hear from you which project you might like me to tackle first / next. 


Wish me luck.....................................and watch this space!


ps - I can swim!


pps - latest designs from me:



36 comments:

  1. I think its a fabulous idea and can't wait to see your creations - i'm not familiar with Sabine's book, but you've inspired me to go take a look - best of luck on your journey.

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    1. Thanks so much Kerry! You really must have a look at the book.

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  2. Hi Gloria,
    I think you have a wonderful idea and I will be here with you cheering you on and putting in my two cents along the way. That is a beautiful collar you beaded and the cuff is beautiful too. Wow love the blue stone!
    Therese

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    1. Thank you Therese. The collar took a while but I am pleased with the result. Which project do you think I should tackle first?

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  3. Great idea, I love it!

    Lori
    Dancingwireandbeads.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Lori - just hope I can do Sabine's art justice.

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  4. Shrinking Therapist12 May 2012 at 20:42

    Oh yes, Sabine's book is FABULOUS! You have taken on a mighty ambitious task here. I will look forward to vicariously experiencing it myself by keeping up with your journey on your blog.

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    1. Yes I may well have bitten off more than I can chew with this idea - but hey I just learnt to swim which at age 45 is not bad going!

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  6. I love the Ira Glass quote and I love your beading energy. Look forward to watching this space x

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  7. Great idea U, I am sure you are going to learn so much
    dot

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    1. Thanks dot - I am really interested in the mechanics of design so think this will assist me with that

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  8. Exciting! I shall follow this with interest! :)

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  9. Wow I cant wait to see your makes and read your journey. I love your work. Good Luck! Catherine Homer

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  10. Hi gloria,

    Brilliant! I'm a little over committed at the moment as I keep getting carried away with facebook and I have just started my own blog. However your challenge looks so interesting that I don't think I will be able to resist checking in as often as I can.

    Good luck & best wishes
    Claire

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    1. Hi Claire - please do check in and leave comments when you can. Thanks

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  11. Good luck! I can't wait to get my hands on this book!

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  12. Go for it, and as I have yet to see a copy I can't ask you to start any particular project first.... but I'd love to get my hands on a gloria special at some point!

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  13. Dee - I believe one may well be winging its way to you soon.........................

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  14. It's a brilliant idea and anyone who learns to swim at age 45 can do anything!! I'm sure of that!! Sorry about our Words with Friends game. We moved from Houston, TX to Los Angeles and went from a good sized house to a tiny apartment. It took all my time and energy! Want to try again?

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    1. Hi Sally - hope you have recovered from your move now. Yes I am feeling positive at the moment and want to hold onto that feeling for as long as possible. Started a game!

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  15. Good Luck, I think you will choose your own path though the book, you will find the project which calls to you and the beads you need... and don't forget the other projects which are on Sabine's website, could be a really long term project if you include some of those!

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    1. Thanks - yes I think this may take me some time. There are 30 projects in this book! I will also blog about my own beaded creations so hope you will enjoy reading those posts in between the Sabine projects.

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  16. Great idea!!! Keep me posted and in case you need help... just drop me a line ;-))
    All best
    Sabine

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    1. Thanks so much for the support Sabine!

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  17. The quote you have posted describes me down to a tee. I have really made some OTT stuff in the past, while developing design and color combination skills, but this piece has given me solace, the idea that one day I might progress out of this stage! :-)

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    1. Thank you for your post Lucy. That quote is really powerful isnt it?

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  18. Sabine's work and designs are amazing - as are yours! Oh this sounds so exciting and what a task! Not to mention that it's going to be a powerful combination. As to where to start? well, I would start at the beginning and keep right on going until you reach the end.
    i am looking forward to following your journey

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    1. Hi Sara - yes it will be a task but I am determined to do it. I will still be working up my own ideas to post in between Sabine's projects though so really hope you will enjoy reading about them also. Thanks for your support and watch this space!

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  19. Thank you for the Ira Glass quote, it helped me a little. i too am just starting this beading journey. My guide is different than yours but I don't think that matters as much as having the guide to light your way. Its so hard to see your own progress.

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