Wild and whacky sporting red pigtails and a chicken shirt is the picture that comes to mind of today's guest blogger, such a fun personality that also shows in her work. From her adorable fishies to her amazing dolls it's all about personality and story. I am thrilled that she accepted my invite to guest blog so you can all meet her and her characters and also know about the amazing opportunity to create your own with her at next year's Bead Fest Texas. So here is
Ralonda G. Patterson
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| "Hook, Line, and Sinker" |
Click on the name to buy a kit or tutorial for the fishies
The love of beads began for me many years ago when I
discovered that a doll could be covered with beads. Because my beading journey
began with dolls and not jewelry, there was always a question in my mind if
they were enough, if they were qualified or were as good as all the intrinsic
beaded jewelry that I saw around me. All of those beautiful pieces had a definite
purpose as wearable art. Seeing pages of jewelry in magazines made me really
wonder if my dolls had a place in the beading community. Intimidation did not
get the better of me.
Purpose:
I later learned that each doll had a purpose too and it was
different for each artist and sometimes even different for each doll. Some of
the dolls are beaded to express a love of someone who has passed on, or to tell
the stories of our deepest or most sacred beliefs or visions. Because the
function of each doll is so different, the boundaries of function are blown off
the roof. They do not have to be practical, pretty, functional, or balanced. To
me, dolls are story tellers and a beaded doll shares his/her story with the
added dimension of beads. The beads lend more detail when they are beaded as
thoughtfully as a good book is written.
Freedom of Expression:
Starting to bead on a project that has few boundaries really
allows you to gain skill and confidence in bead artistry, and come to know it
as an art. Problem solving and creative solutions become a new skill set that
aids in creation and design. Because each solution comes from a unique you, the
story becomes entirely your own. There is no wrong way to bead a doll. You can
take whatever beading or sewing skills you have and express your very own story
with your own voice.
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“Willow” Bead Dreams Finalist 2010
Published in the Gallery
of “The Spirit of Bead Embroidery” by Heidi Kummli
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While creating dolls, my knowledge of many stitches grew and new designs with challenging structures began to emerge. The dolls always posed structural challenges, but beading without a form was another challenge that was quickly explored. Many of my most recent designs have nothing to do with dolls, but the structure of each piece is what led me to think of myself as a creative engineer. Pieces that have self supporting structure and movement make me giddy. It is most often these classes that are chosen by different venues, so teaching a doll class is still a great treat.
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| "Dreidel" Classes are still being scheduled! |
Choosing or creating a doll form may be the most logical
place to start but I begin even earlier in my process. In order to stick to
beading the entire doll without losing focus. I suggest beginning with an
intention or vision of what you hope your doll will become. The form will grow
from this direction. For example, if you intend to create a doll to heal the
wound of a beloved fur-baby’s passing, then you would search out a form in his
or her shape, i.e. a cat or dog. Forms should be made of a stitch-able fabric
and should be very firm. If you find a form you love but is not ideal you can
make alterations to it. If it is too soft, you can stuff it more firmly; Or, if
the form has long “fur”, you could trim it. Pre-made forms by toy companies are
acceptable but lack the finer qualities of a good handmade form.
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| Human doll form |
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| Inanimate object form |
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| Lady Bird, Pearl, SteamSqueak, and Effy Each doll represents a time and story from my life and they all represent more than one now that time has passed since their birth. |
Ever since
creating my first doll “Nite” for the Land of Odds All Dolled Up Beaded Art Doll Competition in
2004, I have been creating doll forms and beading art dolls. Learning how
to combine contemporary beading stitches with the age old art of doll making
has become the foundation of a class that includes artistic expression. Now,
all my knowledge had been combined and organized into a two day workshop to
give beaders the opportunity to really dig deep with me. Having taught shorter Beaded
Art Doll classes, I am looking forward to having more time to encourage students
to express their artistic visions through the magical story telling dolls
possess at Bead
Fest Texas 2014. A work of art will be born. Won’t you join me?
