A Night at the Opera

The November meeting for the Toronto Bead Society was held at the Canadian Opera Company. The costume coordinator, Sandra Corazza and the wig and makeup supervisor, Sharon Ryman, took two of the TBS members and transformed them into opera characters (more about that in tomorrow's post). Displays were set up around the rehearsal hall in which we gathered, showing various costumes and wigs used in opera productions put on by the COC in recent years, arranged to show a progression of styles demonstrating the way fashion has changed over the years. It was interesting to listen to Sharon and Sandra describe how both the costumes and the wigs and makeup need to be something the performer is comfortable wearing, in order that their performance is not restricted, either physically or emotionally. I think the same can be said about jewellery - you must wear something you enjoy, so that it brings you pleasure to wear it.

The Pussycat Bracelet

As I type this, I have a cat lying on my desk between me and the keyboard, making it very awkward to type. So it is only fitting that I should post a photo of this very cute pussycat bracelet that I just made tonight. It's so cute, I can't decide if I want to keep it or sell it! :)

The Sweetheart Necklace

Here's a shot of the necklace we made in class last night. Or I should say, started to make, as it did not get finished. It's made up of a series of hearts and it was a very good exercise in "pattern vs. practice". The pattern is simple enough but as I worked the first four hearts, I decided that I didn't like the beads that were provided in the kit, as they are very random in size and quality - some had to be discarded because the colour was wearing off, some were larger than others, some didn't have a proper hole for the needle to go through, etc. I would prefer to use delicas as they are consistent in shape and colour and I think the pattern would benefit from that consistency. To me, it's worth it to spend a little bit more for a quality bead than to use a cheaper bead that isn't going to satisfy you or your design. But these ones will do to practice with.

I was also getting ideas about the colours as I worked up the pattern. The main colour is pink and the red, blue, purple and green colours are intended to be the accent colours. I can't decide if I like the accents to be added on purpose or randomly. I also think it would be nice to vary the colours, maybe have the hearts in alternating colours, sided by side. This pattern will definitely need to be revisited in the future, when I have more time to play with the possibilities and see what sort of creations can be concocted. It definitely is a sweetheart of a design.

A Day of Remembrance

In Canada, we wear poppies today, the 11th day of the 11th month, and we pause to remember those who have fought and died serving our country.

According the Royal Canadian Legion, "prior to the First World War, few poppies grew in Flanders. During the tremendous bombardments of that war, the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing ‘popaver rhoeas’ to thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again. Each November, millions of poppies blossom in Canada. They blossom on the jackets, dresses and hats of nearly half the Canadian population and they have blossomed over 80 years, since 1921. The poppy is the symbol that individuals use to show that they remember those who were killed in the wars and peacekeeping operations that Canada has been involved in."

I have always loved this poem, written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, first published in 1915:

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

We Will Not Forget

A couple of days ago, I was fortunate enough to turn on the TV just as a show called "The Road to Passchendaele" was starting, a documentary about the making of the movie "Passchendaele" (directed by Canada's best known Mountie - thanks to the TV show "Due South" - Paul Gross, who also plays the lead in this film, which is a far cry from the very entertaining "Men With Brooms"). It was quite interesting to see behind the scenes of this movie that commemorates an important contribution by Canadian soldiers in a battle of World War I that most of us Canadians hadn't heard much about in history class. This show was followed by a special called "Vimy Ridge: Heaven to Hell" about a huge offensive attack made by Canadians during the Great War. Both shows were fascinating and I would recommend that you watch them, if you ever get the chance (set your VCR or PVR - apparently the Vimy Ridge program is showing on the History Channel on Remembrance Day at 6 p.m.).

Thank you to all those brave men and women who served in the Armed Forces in days gone by and to those who continue to serve this country today.

TBS Bead Fair

Had a great time at the Bead Fair yesterday. I volunteered at the snack bar from 9 to 11 a.m., which turned out to be an easy gig, as the fair didn't actually start until 10 a.m. so other than a few people coming by to grab a cup of coffee, it was pretty quiet for the first hour. Then at 11, my sister arrived and we went to check out the booths. What a lot to choose from! That is something that I love about an event like this, the wonderful selection of vendors - if you don't see something you want or need at one booth, you are sure to find something at the next one. I didn't buy from every booth but I was sorely tempted at most of them and indulged myself at several!

Here are some photos of my finds. Over the coming weeks, I'll post photos of what these various pieces turn into, as I create whatever it is they are destined to be.

Crystal Choker

As promised in yesterday's blog, here is the result of my "crystal explosion" homework. I was going to do the dangly bits but I only had time to finish the choker part in class and I liked the look of it so much, I decided to keep it like that. I hung a slightly larger bicone in the middle on the bottom row as a focal point.

Because I didn't do the dangles, I had a bunch of left over crystals with loops on them already and was able to make a quick pair of earrings to go with the necklace. They aren't keeper earrings, I'm going to rework them for the final version, but I needed something quick to wear with my outfit today. :)

Someone took a picture of me today while I was volunteering at the snack bar and I didn't think to ask them to focus on the jewellery, so the photo below doesn't really show the necklace completely, but here it is anyway:

I really like the finished product and my mind is full of possible variations - I can't wait to get started making the next one. Wouldn't you know it, I was able to pick up more crystals today at the TBS Bead Fair so now I'm all stocked up! (If you didn't make it to the fair today, don't worry, it runs all day tomorrow as well - I highly recommend going!!)