DarcyHorn/BeadWork

I bead. A lot. I created this blog for posting progress updates for Gerrymander. Now that Geri is complete, I am moving on to more sculptural pieces as time allows, while I keep my art-to-wear business going. I'll post pictures of whatever it is I happen to be working on. Gerrymander (first known as "The Beaded Body") is a beaded work inspired by the electoral map of 2012. When looking at the state's map, you see large color blocks of red and blue, but looking at a more detailed map, you see counties are blended becoming purple. The technique is freeform peyote and brick stitch. It's like weaving a fabric out of beads, one bead at a time with needle and thread. The work was woven directly onto the form. I worked about 14 months on Gerrymander. That's about 1800 hours, and there is approximately 13 pounds of beads and countless miles of thread. The work was completed in April of 2014. darcyhornbeadwork.com

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So satisfying to shape the fabric of beads and not once have to backtrack...fitting together like a puzzle.

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I accidentally deleted the morning photos. I couldn't quite get in the groove today. And broke two needles. Sometimes I don't know my own strength. :)

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Treetop leaves. I'll make about 48 of these.

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It's been terrible weather this week. Ran into the studio and grabbed some beads and swapped the right for the left pelvic bone. Work continues at home!

[darcyhornbeadwork]

A video so you can see the #wip in 3D!

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#wip

I had a really productive day!

[darcyhornbeadwork]

Right pelvic bone. Things are clipping right along. #wip #beading #beadedart #beadedsculpture

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The right pelvic bone. I got quite a bit done yesterday. Hunkering down, it's currently -43 below and dropping as the wind picks up... so I'm working from home.

[darcyhornbeadwork]

I’m back at a beaded sculpture project. I started this one (the beading, pic 1) maybe a year or more ago (this is the left pelvic bone). I have an ACTUAL REASON to finish this. I juried in to the American Craft Council St. Paul, Minnesota show, April 4-7, 2019. My inspiration is the Tree of Andry, a symbol used often in orthopedics (pic 2). This will be my second spine model I’ve beaded, the first one completed November, 2011 (pic 3).

I have 20 grams of size 6, 8, 11, and 15 on the mat. Tracking how much that’ll cover.

[darcyhornbeadwork]

I mean, srsly. #natural #patina #notreally 40-year-old-tape-patina...some pretty pinks.

[darcyhornbeadwork]

These #fringe, #brick, and #freeformpeyotestitch #bracelets are made with the very last of the beads I used for my #beadedsculpture Gerrymander. I've listed them in my #etsyshop #thejadedog and all proceeds will go to jury fees. I'd like to get my sculptural pieces out in the #realworld. Click on the link in my bio. Would like one in #white, #black, #turquoise?? Message me!

[darcyhornbeadwork]

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Wrap bracelets, freshly listed!

[darcyhornbeadwork]

I’m so happy to have this monkey off my back. On to the next.

[darcyhornbeadwork]

I'm done. #turquoiseskull #freeformpeyote #thejadedogdesigns #thejadedog #realskull #deerantler #deerskull #beadedsculpture #beadedart

[darcyhornbeadwork]

I've got a few more hours work to, but it'll have to wait. Taking a little break.