posted: Tuesday, 31 March 2026
It might not always seem obvious, as each finished piece is a different shape and made of different materials & components, but there is often a path of ideas running from one project to another with my large vessels.
As I work on each one I'm not just designing that piece, but my mind is working away formulating ideas for future ones…
When I'm beading, and reach the point I have to make a design decision, I'll go one way depending on what I think will work best for that project, but still wonder what would happen if I went the other way…
Then, when I get the chance, I experiment with the path not taken and though sometimes it doesn't work, sometimes it does and it turns into something new…
All of these projects ('Chartres', 'Celestial' and 'Meraki') share design DNA but my latest project ('Meraki' bottom right in the image) adds in a unique technique I developed a few years back, and have played a lot with over the years. I have been itching to turn the concept into a large vessel since I beaded a sample for it back in 2022 so last year I finally got a chance to sit down and perfect the details.
All of these projects are current classes ('Chartres' and 'Celestial' are virtual and 'Meraki' in in-person this November in Hitchin, UK) and you can read more about each one and sign-up here or below:
MERAKI
CHARTRES
CELESTIAL
Fridays 19th June, 17th July & 21st August
Saturdays 20th June, 18th July & 22nd August
Fridays 2nd October, 13th November & 4th December
