Aunt Molly's Bead Street -- What's Old?

Aunt Molly'sonline since 4/17/97

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June 3, 2004 -- A couple of new things to inspire you this summer -- I added a pair of easy, no-sew art dolls to the Classroom, and some simple stringing ideas to the Gallery. Enjoy!

Great news from beadwork-land -- I just found out my little La Llorona was awarded Best of Show at Bead International 04 at the Dairy Barn in Athens, Ohio! This great biannual exhibition showcases some of the best contemporary beadwork, so this is quite an honor for me. After the show closes in Ohio, it will travel until 2006, so check the website later to find the itinerary, or contact your local museum or fiber arts venue to see if they will host the show.

What else? Oh yes, I was delighted to have an article published in the March/April 2004 issue of Somerset Studio. This Celtic-themed necklace features shrink plastic charms on a three-strand braid.

My work will be included in two wonderful soon-to-be-relased books: The Beader's Guide to Color, by Margie Deeb and published by Watson-Guptill, and Lark Books' latest in their 500 series, 500 Beaded Objects. The links above are to Amazon.com's book listings.

I am still regularly posting auctions of polymer clay art doll faces, vintage nailheads and sequins, and other mixed media beadwork goodies on eBay, under the seller name seriousbeader. You may have noticed my face cab prices are not exactly the cheapest you'll find. Here's why: 1. I mix and condition my colors from artist grade polymer clay, rarely using clay straight from the package. I often use faux gemstone recipes to simulate turquoise, lapis, coral, ivory, and jade -- using real gemstone models as examples. 2. I sand each face after baking with multiple grits of fine sandpaper: 400, 600, 1000, 1500, and 2000, then buff each piece to a glossy shine using an electric dremel. With this method, you can see the inclusions and subtleties of the matrix down inside the clay. 3. I bake on the color paint washes for added durability. Some faces are only painted and not sanded, and those are priced accordingly. All in all, these finishing techniques take time, and I think the results are worth it. :-)

Blessed Beading to all this summer!

February 1, 2004 -- Hearty thank you's go to Inkchick, Janice and Pam G. for their most generous bids on my three charity auctions for the Booths. Many charity auctions continue, so check them out, in the Charity category at JustsBeads. (click the link in the Feb. 1 entry below).

I've toyed with this idea for awhile and now my pal Mamarox has inspired me to start my own mailing list at Yahoo. It's called MaryTafoyaBeadwork and that is where I hope to migrate my auction announcements as well as other news and happenings. So if you are currently receiving my announcement mailings via Yahoo, I hope you will join my new list at Yahoo Groups. I will be sending out announcements shortly. But in the meantime, anyone is welcome to join:

November 12, 2002-- Two new micro patterns on the Patterns page -- the first a red, white and blue eagle by Stace Datin, derived from one of my micro eagles for loom or square stitch. Thanks, Stace, for letting me post this! The second new pattern is a micro flaming heart in peyote stitch that I recently made up as part of a larger project. You can make it three-dimensional by adding little turquoise beads to represent "thorns" on the vine around the heart. The holidays are fast approaching, and if you're looking for a cute guy gift, take a look at my Santa needlecase -- not just for beading needles! It is for sale at bead-patterns.com and you'll find a clickable link on my Patterns page.

October 18, 2002-- A new "thang"in the Gratitude Gallery -- my little beaded doll. Finally! I made one... (now to update the doll links, sigh). Also, I added a new page to the Cabochon Gallery, with some vintage Buddha cab necklaces and work by Cheryl Wirey and Pat Sohns. Check it out!

It's been awhile since I updated -- a few new articles have come out in Beadwork magazine since then. Check out the About the Artist page on my portfolio site for more info. I received more feedback than usual on the nailheads article ("Stalking the Elusive Nailhead," Aug./Sept.) and the recent mandalas piece ("Working from the Center," Oct./Nov.). Thank you to those who wrote to share your inspiration and additional info on these topics!

On this full moon evening, best wishes to all for a bountiful harvest and a peaceful fall season.

June 25, 2002-- Added some Ribbon Pouch Necklaces to AM's Gallery. These are a featured project in Jean Campbell's new offering from Interweave Press called Bead It! Many thanks to Faye Hobbs of Virginia who had the winning eBay bid on "Indra," a fundraiser for the Bead Quilt Memorial Project. Faye, you're a sweetie!

Hey, my beadwork was selected for the following upcoming shows:

Magnífico's 13th Annual "Art of Albuquerque" at the Albuquerque Museum, August 17 to September 23.

Beadwork magazine's "Beadwork III: The Beaded Cloth," which will tour for about a year, opening in November at the Quilt Show in Houston. There is also a slide show available of the exhibition.

I will also be participating in a Rainbow Artists exhibition called "Sticks and Stones and Magical Bones," at Mama's Minerals in Albuquerque. The show will run throughout the month of August.

June 14, 2002-- Two Bead Jewelry Auctions on eBay will benefit the BeadQuilt exhibitions, which are travelling in the U.S. this summer before settling into their permanent homes. Read more about the BeadQuilt project at their website. The first auction is a ribbon bag created for Jean Campbell's latest book called Bead It!, available from Interweave Press. This book of simple but classy ethnic style bead projects is receiving great reviews! The second auction is for a "Bead Guardian" brooch (see my artist site). The auctions close June 20!

I have been updating my artist site with new closeups and other tidbits. Check it out! Look for more updates in the next few months. Also, check out my info page at Rainbow Artists.

I'm very grateful to Robin Atkins, who graciously allowed me to interview her for the latest issue of Beadwork magazine ("Robin Atkins, Immersed in Beads" June/July 2002). Look for "Stalking the Elusive Nailhead" in the next issue, and following that issue an inspirational article on beaded mandalas called "Working From the Center" (Oct/Nov 2002).

If you're planning to attend the annual Bead Society summer luncheon (and bead-a-thon) in July, I will be "facilitating" ;-) a shrink plastic party, er, "class" at the luncheon. Be prepared to have fun making charms and other doodads to use with your bead jewelry! Feel free to contact me if you're interested in joining the NMBS, and I can give you the contact information.

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