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One Bead at a Time Book Contents Readers Say Order Wholesale Robin Atkins Bead Artist Workshops Slide Lectures Robin's Bio Tiger Press Contact Info Home |
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Please visit my new website:www.robinatkins.comwhere you will find many new things |
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Robin Atkins -- Bead Artist
Although I dabble in many types of beadwork, including off-loom weaving and basic stringing, the three types I do the most are: bead embroidery, woven treasure necklaces and bracelets, and wire work jewelry. Bead Embroidery Of all types of beadwork, bead embroidery is by far my favorite. It's hard to imagine how many thousands of hours I've spent peacefully sewing beads on fabric, one at a time. One hour melds into the next so smoothly that it seems like no time at all. Because I almost always work improvisationally, there's no pressure to make it come out right, and therefore doing the work becomes meditative and relaxing. I've learned a little about meditation practices and participated in one three-day silent meditation retreat. As a beginner, these were serious experiences. By contrast, in my practice of improvisational bead embroidery, I have become so comfortable with it that it takes me to a higher level, one I describe as "peaceful with a border of fun -- relaxing, spiritual, and joyful." As I tell my students and in my book, "One Bead at a Time," improvisational bead embroidery is the most healing and fulfilling thing I've ever done in my life. With this work I have learned to express myself, and have gradually emerged from the realm of craft to that of art.  Woven Treasure Necklaces From the first time I saw a "Tibetan treasure necklace" and later a "Nepalese fertility necklace," I was inspired to copy the cord weaving technique which forms the core of these necklaces. With this weaving technique, I am able to achieve many different "looks," from ethnic to contemporary. It's a great opportunity to use special elements, one-of-a-kind beads, beautiful and unique charms, rare beads, etc. that I have been collecting over the years. The technique offers a way to showcase my treasures! In one of the necklaces shown below, I featured a collection of 400 beads, each one different, all made by the same small woman-owned business in Germany - a collector's necklace, for sure. In another, I featured many rare buttons collected by my Great, Great Aunt and my Grandfather. Another showcases about 150 "critter" charms, beads and buttons that I'd been collecting for years. And another features beautiful glass, stone and cloisonné beads I collected during a trip to China.  Wire Work Wire working is a skill I learned in the 70's when I worked as a metalsmith for five years, making gold and silver jewelry. I love the feel of the wire in my fingers, and enjoy using age-old hand tools to manipulate wire, turning it into beautiful jewelry. In addition to earrings, I especially like to make "fibula pins," which are patterned after ancient cloak and garment pins. Like the treasure necklaces, these pins give me an opportunity to "showcase" my most special and unique beads. When I had my bead shop (Beads Indeed, in Seattle, 1988-1999), I traveled to Eastern Europe almost every year to find sources for new and old beads. I was fortunate to find a glass artist in the Czech Republic who made hundreds of wonderful beads for me to sell in my shop. Each year I'd keep some of my favorites, adding them to my "personal stash." Now I'm using many of these beads in wire worked necklaces, earrings, and fibula pins.  Selling My Work People often ask me if I sell my work. The answer is, "Yes, some of it." I don't sell through any galleries at this time, because I don't want to get into production work, and don't want to make selling my work the main focus. However, I do sell woven treasure necklaces/bracelets and wire worked jewelry when I teach, at a few local art shows, at an annual jewelry sale/open house in Seattle in November, and by commission. I don't sell my bead embroidery work at all. It's just too personal; plus it decorates my house and my life, and I like to have it for examples when I teach. |