This project was started by Robin Atkins for bead embroiderers. Each month we make a new piece for our journal. Project members share their ideas, thoughts, etc at the Bead Journal Blog. I will share mine here.

I've decided to make my journal pieces into a pillow (but now, in April, I've decided it will be a wall piece for dust reasons). Each will be part of a spiral. The June piece (1st month of the journal) is a 2" circle and the center of the spiral. I love spirals and frequently use them in my art - the turning of time, spiral of life, energy flows in a spiral in our bodies, DNA is a spiral and all that. I also love purple so that is a repeating color I use. I have a particular favorite bead that my sister originally had. However, we didn't know where it came from and it took me a year to find it again! This is Czech #61016 (from YorkBeads.com - call them). I'm excited to say that I can get it again whenever I like. So, instead of hoarding it, it will be used in each month's piece.

I'm also an enamelist and make pieces that others can use. I call these jewels and they would be worked with like any stone cabochon. If you are interested in any, check these out... some are for center pieces, some are doll faces, most are enameled, some are etched and some are fancy metal work like Kuem Boo and Mokume Gane.

Here is the over all piece which is now completed. Just click on one of the pieces and a page for that piece will appear with a larger photo and info on what went into it.