Yay! Done (under the wire!) BJP 2010

I'm done! For those of you who haven't followed me, I've been trying to do one a month - no matter what. I fell short in November, but here - under the wire, are November and December:


Visit my blog to see the final two! I have had a wonderful time doing this and will be skipping next year, but I'm hoping to do the year after! (I'll be watching everyone next year!)

http://www.notahandbag.com

December done, farewell 2010!

I finished December's piece, so I achieved my goal of finished all 12 pieces for 2010 in 2010. (Of course the kitchen is a mess and the laundry needs folded, but they can wait! )

You can see the piece on my blog. I really enjoy seeing everyone else's pieces and the great comments people make.

So, getting ready for BJP 2011. My goal is to clean up my workspace tomorrow to get ready. Do you think it needs it?

lol

Been a Long Time

It's been a long time since I've been here. I can't believe it's the last day of the year already. A lot has been going on in my personal life, and I haven't been doing a lot of art work. I have been working on my Bead Journal, though I am way behind. January was done a while ago, and you've seen that. February is still in progress, but March, April and May are done. June is also in the works, and I hope to have it done next week. Then I'll get back to finishing February. I have the colors planned for July through December, though I don't have all the beads yet. Check out my blog to see where I am. I'm sorry I missed the registration for 2011, but it's probably for the best. I need to finish 2010.

Thanks for the encouragement, and the chance to be a part of the Bead Journal Project. Though I'm not part of 2011, I will be sure to check out all the beautiful pieces I know you'll be creating. Look for me again in 2012!

Sometimes It's Just Too Much! November BJP

I finally finished my November BJP. I hope you'll come over to my blog Crackpot Beader to find out how it was Just Too Much.

Happy New Year!

Marty S
Crackpot Beader

December BJP

I close our 2010 Beaded Journal Project with this piece titled Yearning for Beauty. My inspiration for the pendant was based on my readings by Lisa See. The books, Shanghai Girls and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, both novels, describe two girls growing up in Shanghai and the trials and tribulations they went through immigrating to America.
The second book discusses the custom of foot binding as a practice towards beauty. I thanked my lucky stars that I was not born in that time period.
This piece uses Chinese coins and jade to symbolize the Asian heritage. Everything is beaded symmetrically to show balance and harmony. The gold beads are a sign of wealth.

To view the entire piece, go to my name on this site, Victoria P. or www.artntheheart.blogspot.com.

It has been a fabulous year of the BJP challenge. Best wishes to all for happy beading times in 2011.

Bead on! Victoria P.

November & December done!

November and December are finished. You can take a look at them here!

December BJP - "Words"

I have completed and posted my December BJP here.  I hope you will be able to stop by and look at it.  This month's BJP was sort of bittersweet since it ended a whole year of beads and words. I have enjoyed all of your entries into this project - thanks for sharing your marvelous imaginations and talent.

November BJP

I had 3 months of BJP to finish in December, and I just finished the second piece yesterday. Thank you for looking at the entire piece on my blog. I decided I needed something crystal and pretty to make up for November's dreariness!

I started on December's piece today, and it is bright yellow!

Traditional Christmas

You can se my December piece, "Traditional Christmas", here.

Now to come up with some inspiration for 2011!

It's been a great year, ladies, and I learned a lot --- what I can do and what I haven't learned yet; what I like and what I don't like. Thanks to you all! See you in 2011!

Back in the Saddle Again

When this year began I made six of my diamond shape "ornaments" in rather quick succession. Then my attention turned to other things. Recently I got back into my beads and have been working to complete my set for this year. Over on my blog today I've written about the ornament I made for May (although you have to get past some whining first - sorry).

Magpie Sue

December's Finished!

It's been a great year, and I'm looking forward to more inspiration and gorgeous beading from everyone in 2011!

The full piece can be seen on my blog.

November BJP from snowy Michigan!

I think the snowflakes on my November BJP are appropriate for today! We're getting lots of snow from that major snow storm! I'll most likely not start on my December BJP until we get to Florida! You can see my full November BJP on my blog here.

So here's hoping everyone has a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year! You can see my full BJP on my blog here.

And I got so excited, I forgot to let you know that you can find it at my BLOG, by clicking on Karen J to the left.

Woo hoo! I finished the year! Just posted December. Now, I'm already thinking about next year...

One More

The beads made me do it. Merry Christmas from the Circle and Line Series.

November Finished

My piece for November is now posted on my Pinelands Patches and Beadscapes blog. It's completely improvisational. I don't know what it means or have a title. I need your help with that. - Barbara

November's done

I feel like I'm mostly catching up on my BJP - I am glad that I decided to work small so that each month didn't feel like a chore. More can be seen on my blog.

October, what happened?

I feel like I somehow fell asleep at the beginning of October and am just now waking up. I can't really understand why I didn't do more on my BJP pieces until this week. So I'm behind but I will cath up. Take a look at my blog to see October's piece. Thanks for looking.

Finished my November project. You can see it on my BLOG, found under Karen J.

December BJP 2010

I've posted my December projects at www.beadsalot.blogspot.com

Another year finished and I can't wait to start 2011 and see what wonderful things everyone creates.

The Heather on the Hill

When I selected this fabric, and the beads, it was because I LIKED it, not because it reminded me of November in any way. For some reason, when I am at a loss for a theme, I seem to be drawn to this ferny batik fabric.... But as I stitched away, I was thinking of a specific song from one of my favorite musicals --- and then yesterday I found out that it was St. Andrew's Day! Now I'm 25% Scottish and I love the Highlands and the only time I was ever able to visit them, it was in late October/early November back in the mid 1990's, when a frost had turned the bracken brown-gold. There was still a touch of purple of heather on the hills... (the song with that title was from Brigadoon...)

"The Heather on the Hill" can be sen here.

Now I only have to get December's page under way! But I KNOW what I want to do --- here's hoping it works out how my mind's eye sees it!

One Week Left!

You only have one week left to sign-up for the 2011 BJP! Don't wait, all the information you'll need is available here. After December 8th it will be too late for 2011. Send in your registration today and join us!

Third Time's the Charm?

I've debated whether to sign up for the 2011 BJP since I have five unfinished (four not even begun) ornaments for this year. But I've missed beading. I've been doing other things, quilts mostly. I find I don't change gears easily or quickly. Nor do I have a dedicated spot for my beading activities. I always have more than one project going at a time but I tend to work on one until it's completed or I get good and stuck. So when the quilting muse took over that was pretty much it for beadwork. I have also learned that I tend to think too much about my projects. I fret and worry and stew instead of actually stitching.

What I want to do for 2011 is try to ignore the "journal" aspect of the Bead Journal Project as much as possible and let myself play in my beads instead. I think it's the idea of journaling my life events that bogs me down. I journal with pen and paper and words every day. I'm not so much of a visual journaler I guess. But I believe Robin herself would agree that picking a color for the month, stitching beads down as my spirit moves me, and maybe adding a few charms to represent something specific would qualify as bead journaling.

I confess to not visiting my fellow BJP bloggers often in the past few months too. What can I say? I've been sewing, not surfing cyber space. The beauty of this project is that I can go back at any time and see what y'all have been up to, and I probably will. The muses are fickle creatures, here one minute and gone the next. When my quilting muse takes off I'll come back here for inspiration and motivation ;- )

Magpie Sue

Its november but have just finished August!

Have just posted my August page here  Still looking and admiring everyone's work. Have decided this will be my last year of participating but will keep on checking on all the new pages next year. Jacqui

Catching Up

I managed to complete August, September and October's projects this month, so I feel like I'm on a bit of a roll. I'm enjoying being back in the "cool" coloured part of the colour wheel - I tend to work most with those colours, and they're definitley my favorites.

The full piece, as well as all of the others that have been completed can be found on my blog.

Still November

Phew, just in time I've finished my November spiral. Come check it out at www.beadsalot.blogspot.com

Wine Dark Sea

Somehow, I always thought that the "wine dark sea' Would have been more burgundy but it really WAS the color of the background fabric on this piece. Finished it tonight --- made a lot of mistakes but I learned a lot about encrusted beading in attempting it.

The large blue "bead" is a glass fob meant to ward off the evil eye.

It is supposed to look a little like the buildings on Santorini (which we didn't get to see thanks to a storm) so I almost called it "Santorini Lost". But I think "Wine Dark Sea" is more appropriate!

You can see it at http://thatyankstitches.multiply.com/photos/album/16#photo=10

Nov Beaded Journal Project - Fang Inspired Mask

I have always loved faces and masks and didn't want the year to slip by without making one. I like African masks for their simplicity and use of color. We have a few masks made by the Fang tribe. They use little color in the masks and use the wood carving to depict shadowing and different effects. The eyes, nose and round mouth are typical features of their masks.

The jury was out as to whether I should add fringe and/or hair to this mask. As mentioned, the masks are quite plain so for now I will leave it as is.

I apologize for the blurry effect. To see the entire piece, click on Victoria P. on the left hand side of this site or go to www.artntheheart.blogspot.com. Only one more month to go~

Cheers during the holidaze! Victoria

Checking In

Hi everyone!

For many reasons, I seem to be a behinder this year, with only 8 pieces complete. I've been quilting, knitting and writing, but not beading for a while. However, last Tuesday, joy of joys, I finally got back to my beads! Soon I hope to complete September's BJP and move along to October.

In the meantime, I have registered for BJP 2011! I am SO looking forward to a new year, this time with no pre-planned theme or self-imposed "rules." By giving myself some rules this year, I learned a lot and discovered some new likes and dislikes about my art. But, now I'm tired of restricting myself to working on felt and bored with the words. Next year? No rules!

Have YOU registered yet? I hope so! If not and you're planning on it, better do it today, cuz the deadline is fast approaching.

You might want to check my current Beadlust post about getting a hard copy of your blog printed. It's here.

Cheers and beady blessings,
Robin A.

Only 2 Weeks Left!

Don’t be left out! Sign-up today for the 2011 Bead Journal Project. Registration ends on Wednesday, December 8th so don’t delay. The long holiday weekend is a good time to get your registration sent in! Check out all the registration information here. And please share this with your friends. You never know who might want to start beading! 

November is done!

Yay!  One more to go :-)  I hope everyone has a lovely holiday this week, and I'm really looking forward to finishing up this wonderful year of the BJP.  You can see more on my November piece on Beading Arts. 

Finished September

I'm trying to catch up before next round. Here's a sneak peak of September's BJP, and you can read the whole post here.

July is done!

I am moving along with my 2010 BJP! This one only took 19 days. Whew! If you want to see the latest "slice" of my Birthstone wheel, check out my blog HERE. Happy Holidays everyone! Eat lots of Turkey, and Bead happy.

Done early with December's piece and Fire Scale Enameling

I finished early and am happy to have some time to start thinking about the 2011 BJP! Check out my beaded piece for December. This month the enamel utilizes Fire Scale detail - those normally annoying reddish or black areas that are formed when copper is heated. But instead of removing it, it can be used as decorative detail. It's a little hard to see, but try to note the reddish spots towards the top and right side of the enamel. One reason I prefer to enamel on silver is because no fire scale is produced and the colors are brighter due to the reflection of the silver metal under the transparent enamels. But enameling on copper can be interesting because of side issues like fire scale.

This piece also includes paper beads from a group of women in Africa - Beads For Life. They have a store to buy these and other items to help support themselves. My use of the paper beads is on the right side of the enamel.

Have a BEADy good day, Karen

BJP on Facebook

Are you on Facebook? If so, please check out the new BJP Facebook page and share the link with your friends. Hopefully you'll all "like" the page also! You're welcome to post on the page if you'd like to share something bead related. Don't worry - it's not a replacement for the BJP blogs! Since so many people are on Facebook it's just another way to get the word out about the BJP and encourage beaders and wanna-be beaders to join the 2011 project.

"Dalliance" - November BJP

Please check out my November BJP.  This month's word is "dalliance".  As you'll see, I didn't even know the definition when I pulled the word out of my word jar.  This was a totally 'fun' BJP.  You can see it here.

October's Page

I've posted October's page on my blog, if you'd like it's here http://heidibeads.blogspot.com/
I'm catching up!

Not Pink Either! October BJP

I finished my October page in October, but I didn't get around to posting it until today. Come on over to my blog Crackpot Beader to see the rest of it.

Marty S
Crackpot Beader

Bead journal project display

You can see my beaded beads for November and December on my blog.

I finished up early as I am setting up, at the end of this month, a display of all my bead journal projects for the three years I have been a member. The display will be at the Howe library in Hanover, NH from November 27th through December 30th. They will be in a glass display case between the front desk and the children's room. If anyone will be in the Hanover, NH area at this time, please stop by and and see what I have accomplished during my time as a bead journal project member. Check the Howe library website for directions and hours.

BJP 2011: Register Early!

Avoid the rush and win a coveted spot on BJP Blog #1 for 2011! We anticipate having at least two or three BJP blogs this year. It really doesn’t matter which one you’re on but it does matter that you register in time. While the process is just beginning, it’s easy to lose track of time while you decide if you want to join. Registration will end on December 8, 2010. If you haven’t sent your request in by then you’re out of luck for 2011!

Maybe you’re putting it off because you aren’t caught up for this year? That’s ok, finishing 2010 isn’t a requirement to join 2011. Check out this link for registration details and don’t delay!

November piece done with Sgraffito in positive space

Hi all - So, I'm early this month and will start Dec tonight! In this piece I used the Sgraffito method of enameling using the positive image. In January I also used the Sgraffito method. But it's different as I've committed to myself to use a different technique of enameling each month. In Sgraffito, the raw enamel is scratched away. The difference between the two is: in January, what was scratched away formed the image of the design (the design was the negative space); in November, what was scratched away was the outline of the design (the design was the positive space) and then the design was wet packed with color. See the full November piece with its description. In this piece I also used silk ribbon embroidery and I dye my own ribbon. I totally love this type of embroidery and recommend it to all who want to expand what they add to their bead work.

Have a Beady Great Day. Karen L. Cohen

BJP Registration Begins Today!!

Registration begins today and will close on December 8, 2010 so register early!

To register, please send a request to our registration angel at beadjournalreg11@gmail.com. Your request should include the following information to ensure it is processed correctly:

1. Your full name, first and last.
2. Your web name or alias, if you have one.
3. Your email address. Please give us your “best” email address, one that is not likely to change during the year and one that you check frequently. (Note: we don’t contact you very often.)
4. Your home address.
5. Your telephone number.
6. Do you have a website? Y/N – If yes, what is the URL?
7. Do you have a blog? Y/N – If yes, what is the URL?
8. Were you a registered participant in any other Bead Journal Project? Y/N If yes did you complete the project for the year? Y/N
9. If you are a new participant, where did you hear about the 2011 BJP?

General registration information about the BJP is available at: http://beadjournalproject.com.

August BJP

I'm also catching up, and have recently finished my August work, which can be found here.

September BJP

I'm behind but catching up. I've posted September's Page here http://heidibeads.blogspot.com if you care to visit. I'm sorry that I haven't posted on anyone's blog, I have visited but time is limited. Everyone is so inspiring and I thank you again and again for that inspiration!!!

I'm a little late posting October's project, but it's on my blog, found by clicking Karen J to the left.

October BJP Spirit doll completed! yay!

Two more to go - can you believe it?
This month was a tribute to the fabric I chose and to leaf beads - I've had so much fun varying the approach each month and this doll FEELS fabulous! (I wish we had "feel-o-vision" - ha ha).

Anyway, it's posted over on my blog: http://www.notahandbag.com/

Idea for New BJP - ATCs

Hi all - I just had an idea I'd like to get others' thoughts on... what if we made pieces the size of an ATC (Artist Trading Card) and then at the end we traded these? Not sure how that would work, but it's a thought. This new BJP will be my 4th year and now I have 2 series to sell (I'll keep my 1st)! If we made ATCs then we could trade and have each other's work without thinking about selling them. Of course not everyone would have to do this format, but if at least a bunch of us would like to, we could all work towards that. Would we be a subgroup in the group (maybe we could all be on the same blog page).

According to About.com - Painting, an ATC must be 2.5x3.5 inches or 64x89 mm as that is the size of the original sports trading cards. The only other requirement that I've read about is that they are traded, not sold. I read about them here. It says that they have to be exactly the right size and made on card stock, so we could have an exception - the orig size is the same, but we start on fabric or our choice AND if anything goes over the edge to make the card slightly bigger, that's okay (beaders do that!).

Any comments?

Have a Beady Good Day. Karen

October BJP done with Break-Through Enameling

Hi all, just like last month, I finished on the last day of the month. This one includes a type of enameling called Break-Through or Pull-Through. It's one of those techniques that was originally an error but is reproducible and looks great - voilà, a new technique! As my art teacher friend, Carol Anne, says: Oops Perfect! In this one I added some enamel lumps to give some larger spots. To see the beaded piece, go to my site.

Have a Beady Great Day! Karen

Another October BJP

My October BJP is finished. You can see more here on my blog.

Robbie from Michigan

Registration for 2011 BJP begins November 8th

It’s wonderful that everyone is eager to join the BJP for another year! However, to ensure we are all set-up and ready to operate smoothly, please wait until the official registration date of November 8th to send in your registration request!  Beginning Monday, November 8th, you can send a request to beadjournalreg11@gmail.com for registration.

In order to be sure your registration is processed, when you send your request, please include answers to the following questions:

1. Your full name, first and last.
2. Your web name or alias, if you have one.
3. Your email address. Please give us your “best” email address, one that is not likely to change during the year and one that you check frequently. (Note: we don’t contact you very often.)
4. Your home address.
5. Your telephone number.
6. Do you have a website? Y/N – If yes, what is the URL?
7. Do you have a blog? Y/N – If yes, what is the URL?
8. Were you a registered participant in any other Bead Journal Project? Y/N - If yes did you complete the project for the year? Y/N
9. If you are a new participant, where did you hear about the 2011 BJP?

Thank you for honoring the process. We're all excited to be able to participate another year and want to ensure the process is efficient and smooth for everyone!

Full Moon Rising - Oct BJP

This month I was thinking about how we had a Harvest Moon. The light from the moon is so brilliant. As I started my October project, we were enjoying yet another full moon. It seemed as if daylight had occurred and all the energies were being released to shine upon us. My piece this month celebrates our full moons.

View the entire piece at www.artntheheart.blogspot.com or click on Victoria P. on this site (left hand side). Bead on!

October Finished

My piece for October is now posted on my Pinelands Patches and Beadscapes blog. It's sad, but it helps to have beaded about it. More than ever, I believe this is the month that I used BJP as it was intended -- as a journal. - Barbara

October is finished...just two more to go :-)

If you'd like to take a look, I've got my October piece posted today on Beading Arts.  Here's a sneak peek:

BJP 2011!

It's time to make your plans to join the 4th annual Bead Journal Project! The 2011 BJP will run from January 2011 through December 2011. Registration will begin November 8, 2010 and close on December 8, 2010. General registration information is available at the BJP website. If you’d like to register, please send a request to our registration angel at beadjournalreg11@gmail.com.

The brain child of internationally known bead artist Robin Atkins, the first Bead Journal Project, which began in June of 2007, included 241 women and 1 man from 13 different countries, who were dedicated and committed to creating 12 bead journal "pages", one per month, for a year.

The BJP is about your personal development through visual journaling using any media and techniques you desire, providing each journal piece includes some beading (usually bead embroidery) and all 12 pieces are the same size. Rules are minimal: the commitment you are making is to yourself and your personal growth through art.

Special BJP blogs are used as a means for members to support each other throughout the process. They are used to post pictures of completed pieces, technical questions, or links to participant blogs. Each BJP member will be invited to be a participant on the group blog, but it is not required to read or post to the BJP blog or to have your own blog or website. All are welcome no matter what your level of bead embroidery experience! Please register early!

July - Finally!

Have finally finished July and  August will be there in a few days . See it on my blog

Blog updated!

I have added my finished June Bead Journal piece to my blog. If you would like to see it, go HERE!

October Finished

My finished piece is here. Hard to believe only 2 more months until this year is over!

Adding Your Page to 2010 Gallery

Now that we are in October if you have 8 pages done you can send your images to me to start your 2010 Member's Gallery page. Click on this link to find the instructions, Adding A Member Page.

Donations have fallen short of what it cost to keep the website running. I have covered those costs, and put in the time to make the website. If we all gave just a dollar it would be covered, we all spend way more than that on beads.

If you have any questions, there is a link to my email on the Add A Member Page.

Thanks
Brenda

October beaded bead

You will find my October beaded bead on my blog.

What I did this year

I started out with great enthusiasm, but in the end only finished 4 bead journal pieces. To see them, go to my blog. I participated in the first 2 years of the project, and you can see those pieces at the Flickr link at the side of my blog. Participating one was one of the best things I have ever done! I want to thank Robin, the "angel" helpers I worked with, and every single participant. I learned so much and made great friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

October Leaf

View my October Bay Leaf!

Its no joke!

I have updated my blog for the 2nd time this week! Its not too late to sign up for my halloween giveaway tomorrow! Check it out HERE.

Look who's back!

No kidding, I am still here! I have been keeping up with your works that are awesome! I myself have not been a good sports in that I haven't been blogging let alone beading. Today I have posted on my blog for the first time since July and put up a pic of how far I got on my last project... Ahum... May (feel a little ashamed).

I hope this will be my first step of getting back on track again. Love to hear from you again!

Dees

Blog Giveaway

Hi everyone! I wanted to let you know I am doing a giveaway on my blog! All you have to do is leave a comment HERE

10/10/10

I've added spirals for August, September and October. Also Stone Pages No. 6 and 7. www.beadsalot.blogspot.com

Building Character in September

My September BJP page was about building character. I'm not sure if my character has improved, but the page is finished. Come on over to Crackpot Beader to see more.

Marty S
Crackpot Beader

September finally done with Guilloche enamel

Hi all - seems like a lot is going on with the BJP. Hope someone can champion it for next year as I love doing this project. I did write that I can help with webwork, but hope we don't go to FaceBook as I am not part of that environment and don't want to be. So we will see what's up for next year.

I'm a bit behind, but finally finished my Sept piece - Round Peg in a Square Hole series. This month the enamel technique is Guilloche - an engine turned engraving in the background and what Faberge did on his eggs and frames. On to my October piece where I need to finish the enamel!

Have a Beady Good Day, Karen

Publicity for BJP

For the last 2 years I did the publicity for the BJP. In case this angel job appeals to someone or you are thinking about it, let me describe what I did. It may seem like a lot, but it really was pretty straightforward and only took a few hours.

All the angels wrote a blurb together that could be used to describe the project. It's pretty much the description of the project that is on the left column of the blogs, but also included all the information about start-up dates and how to register.

I contacted all the major bead magazines worldwide and sent the blurb to them. Two years ago Beadwork had a half-page article about the BJP, which featured an article with Robin. I also posted on several Internet bead forums. (Since I'm mainly a beader, I'm only familiar with bead forums, but I'm sure there is a whole world out there of fiber, quilt, and needle forums as well). As Robin mentioned, I posted on the BJP blogs and encouraged everyone to write about the project on their blogs.

Word of mouth through individual blogs is the best advertising of all the different things we did. Most of us love to blog and to read blogs, and that brought in the most participants.

So, a little time organizing contacts for the magazines and forums, using a description that is already written and just needs to be updated, and then some time on the computer sending everything out.

I really enjoyed being part of the project. After 2 years, I feel someone else should have the opportunity to enjoy it too!

Susan

October BJP 'Whimsy'

I was able to finish up my October BJP early - which pleased me since we are traveling out to the desert and will be gone for part of the month.  This was a fun, fun, fun piece based on the word 'whimsy'.  I've posted it here.

Finished Sept. BJP

Where's the beef? I mean beads?? Honestly, they are there. You'll just have to check out my latest post here.

Robbie from Michigan

Who Will Help?

Not so many replies to my post of a few days ago about needing volunteers to continue running the BJP next year... Where is everybody???

HUGE thanks to Tracy N and to Bobbi K for being willing to take on some of the responsibility! Thanks also to Marty S, who says she'll help if there's something a techno-dud can do, and to all who took the time to reply, supporting me in my need for a break from the responsibility of running the program.

I'd very much like to see it continue. Are there two others who would have a little time and some computer skills willing to join Bobbi and Tracy to keep it going? Thanks for giving it some thought!

Robin A.

PS To those who are still posting their BJP pieces.... Splendid work!!!! I'm thrilled to see the talent and creativity in it!!!!

September Piece

My September piece is finished, and the colors were interesting to play with...black and brown. You can view the entire piece on my blog. Enjoy!

How to Run the BJP

Commenting on the previous post (Next Year), Bobbi K asked a good question. What does it take to run the BJP? I'll answer that by listing the steps:

1. Determine the starting date (I suggest keeping it Jan. 1, same as this year)
2. Determine the registration dates (I suggest Nov. 15 - Dec. 15
3. Somebody has to be the registration angel. This person will set up an email (gmail?) account for all registration correspondence. Registering members and replying to correspondence about the BJP is the most time-consuming job. It takes a very organized person who has time to deal with the correspondence on a daily basis.
4. Write a post on each of the three current BJP blogs asking members to "advertise" next year's BJP and registration dates on their own blogs. They should list the registration dates, email address for registration and web page where an interested person can read about the program.
5. Our current web angel (Brenda) may be willing to continue. If so, she would post the registration information, rules, etc. on the Bead Journal Project website. She's done this previously.
6. When registration opens, new and returning members will email their information and request to be a member to the registration angel.
7. The registration angel will make a spread sheet with the name and other information about all members.
8. The registration angel will send a form email to each member telling them they are now officially enrolled.
9. The blog angel will set up one or more blogs for the year and will take the membership information/list from the registration angel and assign members to a specific blog and send an invitation from the blog so that they can post on it.
10. For the most part, the registration and blog set-up goes fairly smoothly, but there are always a few problems. With our experience in the past three years, I can give the two angels some tips that should help a little.
11. After the year's project begins, there is little to do, except to monitor the blogs making sure the content is appropriate and relevant.
12. I have the "form correspondence" we used this past year, which can either be used again or modified to suit the new team's needs.
13. Generally this past year, my angels did most of the actual work, while I served as advisor and troubleshooter and coordinator. We emailed back an forth quite a bit at the beginning of the year, making decisions about various details. But after the first month, things ran fairly smoothly.
14. As the leader, I have made an effort to be active, reading the BJP blogs and all posts on active member's personal blogs that are relative to the BJP and taking the time to write comments on all of them. This is rewarding and inspirational to me, also time consuming.

Hope this isn't too much information. A team of four people (the leader plus registration, blog and web angels) can do the job. The bulk of the work would be between Nov. 1 through Jan. 15. Bobbi K has already said she might have the energy to be part of the team (and she'll be fabulous to work with)... any others???

Thanks for taking the time to read this and think about it....

Robin A.

Next Year

Some of you have started asking about BJP 2011...

I'm sorry that I haven't addressed this earlier. In my personal life, things have been (and continue to be) up and down a bit lately. My attentions are drawn elsewhere and I've not kept up with blogs in the way I'd like.

So, I'm torn. Part of me wants to continue leading the BJP for another year; part of me feels the need to step down, to continue making one visual journal piece every month, but not to organize and shepherd the BJP program. Sitting on the fence, thinking I can do it one moment and needing to be released from the responsibility the next, is what has delayed notice about it.

I see no immediate resolutions to the personal issues in my life. Therefore, probably the best thing is to open the door for somebody else to take over. I am willing to act as a consultant/advisor, and am also willing to let go of the program as I designed it. In other words, any past participant who would like to take it on, is welcome to alter the program to suit their own style of leadership or run it with the same guidelines and system as we use now.

One other possibility is to take a year-long break and see how things look for 2012 to start again.

I need to know if there are volunteers to take over and/or what you think of the idea of taking a break. Go ahead and state your thoughts by making a comment here (of any length)... or you can email me privately (robin[at]robinatkins[dot]com).

Again, I'm sorry and apologize for my need to let go at this time. Thanks for giving some thought to this and for participating this year!

Robin A.

September in Africa - my BJP doll is done!

This month went MUCH smoother - in fact I could say the inspiration just tumbled out of me!
Let me know what you think! (click the link for my blog post)

September BJP

Another one finished...you can see it here. Wow...what a quick year this is turning out to be; only 3 more and it's done! (Is it too soon to whine for another one?)
This post will tell you about the figures on my piece and why I chose them.

Sept Beaded Journal Page - Tall Rock

I knowingly waited for my visit to Cork's bead retreat to create this piece. The large picture window has a spectacular view of pines, animals and sheer rocks that reach for the heavens. Of special note, is "Tall Rock" which catches the sun beams in a most spectacular way. (Photo on right). Every moment, the light hits the giant rock in different ways creating shadows and brightness.
Tall Rock is at the bottom of the piece surrounded by pine trees and "golden" background. The yellow beads represent the changing colors of the highly located Aspens. We visited the open house of Beyond Beadery and purchased "niblet" beads which are incorporated in the fringe.
Thank you, Cork!

To view the entire piece, go to www.artntheheart.blogspot.com or click on the names (Victoria P.) of the left side of this blog.

Bead On! Victoria

September bracelet is finished!

 

Our apple trees inspired my most recent BJP piece!  I've got links to all our favorite apple desserts and treats at the post too ;-)

"September Song"

A little mixed media here - fabric laves, polymer clay buttons and, of course, seed beads.

My September pice is here:

http://thatyankstitches.multiply.com/journal/item/132/September_Bead_Journal_Project

September Leaf!

View my Autumnal Equinox leaf!

Blog updated!

After many delays, I have finally update my blog! If you would like to take a peek at my finished may BJP, it can be seen HERE on my blog. I am way behind, but I am determined to finish my piece!

September Finished

My piece for October is now posted on my Pinelands Patches and Beadscapes blog. It's sad, but it helps to have beaded about it. More than ever, I believe this is the month that I used BJP as it was intended -- as a journal.

2008/2009 BJP - the final chapter

Are you interested in joining me on my trip down memory lane? If so, I've just posted another retro piece to showcase my last six triangles of the 2008/2009 BJP year. Enjoy!

August BPB Finished!

To see my inspiration and finished BJP for August you can head over to my blog.

Now to get started on September!!

Robbie from michigan

A little history for you.....

Forgive me if I shouldn't do this, but I didn't have my own blog in 2008/2009 and was posting on http://andmorebjp08.blogspot.com. I wanted to record my earlier BJP's in one place and I thought that some of you might like to visit my retro posts! If you're interested, you can see the first six months over at my blog! It was my my first year participating in the Bead Journal Project and my first real attempts at journaling with encrusted bead embroidery (and a little mixed up media thrown in for good measure). My BE experience was very limited prior to that! I'll be posting the rest of my triangles next weekend.

Be sure to visit the 2008 and 2007 blogs for more inspiration and eye candy from the other participants! The easiest way to get to them is through the BJP website.

A little late - the first time!

I'm a bit late with this month's August BJP - my spirit doll - but I think I have a good excuse - GRIN! September is back on track!

http://www.iamnotahandbag.com/index.php/2010/09/bjp-where-i-run-off-track-and-finish-late/

September beaded bead

You can see my September beaded bead on my blog.

"Betwixt" - September BJP

My word for September is 'betwixt' - which not only fits with where I am in my art life - but where my outside world is right now - between summer and fall.  Its not so bad being 'in between'!  You may see my September BJP here.

I finished September's BJP. Just a silly little tribute to U of O football. You can find it by clicking on "Karen J" to the left.

June BJP AMD - Finally!

I'm more than a little behind, but still enjoying the process. For the full story, please come visit my blog. It's always open and loves new friends!

August 2010

Introducing Agate who is fashionably late. 

Finishing ~ Tutorial Posted on Beadlust

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Many of us have now completed 8 pieces and are thinking about what to do with our work for the year. No pressure... the best part has already happened... the doing of the work is where most of the benefits happen (or so it is for me). But it IS fun to finish the work and make it displayable in some way.

One way is the subject of my current post, here. It's a tutorial on how to mount non-3-dimensional pieces on stretched canvas frames. The results are very professional-looking and give an impression of fine art to the work. Above, you can see three pieces I've mounted in this way. I'm so pleased with how they look that I decided to write about how to do it.

If anyone else wishes to put a finishing techniques tutorial on their blog, I'd love to see it!

Remember, if you have 8 pieces finished and photographed, you can have a personal page devoted to your pictures on the Bead Journal Project website. Check here for directions.

Some fabulous work being done this year... Bravo, everyone!

Robin A.

Hard post

I'm still here, but it has been a very hard Summer with work, my dog getting ill and almost dying, the bead store where I teach closing forever, and all kinds of silly family things that can cloud moods. I had this piece finished back in May, but I just could NOT get the story out. It was fastening inside of me with tendrils of hate and rage feeding and growing. My dearest younger brother helped me get through all this and put away my dark sad feelings. Here is the story about my High School class ring which is put away inside this June's BJP Secret Treasures.

July Finished!

Although I already finished and posted August's piece, my July piece (detail above) was delayed waiting for silk ribbon (the finishing touch), The ribbon order finally arrived, so now you can see it all here.

Robin A.