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Calendar and Newsletter - Spring 2010
What's New
Paper
I have been working on new paper pieces with a decidedly bolder anatomical and mechanical feel to them. The new cage pendant and conch/bones necklace are larger in scale than usual. I have also started a series of mica-windowed pendants that remind me of reliquaries. I know, bones? reliquaries? but this new direction feels fresh and exciting to me, and I hope you agree. I am also working on more sculptural pieces, some for particular shows, others just for fun. Rock Paper Scissors is a small sculpture I have been planning for over a year. Along with my Sticks and Stones series, these pieces combine the amusement of the language and games of childhood with the constant presence of simple materials in our everyday world.
Beads
I am still beading, though not as much as before. I have been getting into shows mostly as a handmade paper artist these days, so I have somewhat inadvertantly changed my primary medium from beaded work to paper. I do plan to work on a couple of larger beaded pieces this winter, when I am not under as much pressure to produce inventory. I continue to have a decent beaded jewelery inventory and commissions are still welcome.
Blogs
Blogging about my work: Because I am getting involved with more collaborative work and adding more gallery shows to my schedule, I thought it was time to start talking a bit more about how and why I do my work. So, I have added a blog to this site. You can get to it by clicking on the "Blog" button at the top of each page on this website, or you can go straight to it at www.jbeelsdesign.com/blog/. Responding to friends' and clients' requests, I have posted a description of how I make my paper. I plan to discuss new projects or pieces as I work on them. As I participate in or visit shows and exhibitions, I will add comments and reviews. I'll also post links to interesting sites as they pop up. I hope you will find this new blog worth visiting occasionally.
Beyond Garabage - Recycled Materials Blog: I have also launched a blog on recycled materials, coordinating with a small group of artists to jumpstart a project that focuses on a different recyclable or reusable material each month. We'll share our creations and experiments with the hope that others will want to join us. If you are interested in learning more about this blog, please visit Beyond Garbage. If you would like to join the project, contact me and I will put you on the monthly tickle list. You will also find information on the site to help schools and other groups organize similar projects encouraging people to think creatively about their material world and how to make something (fun, beautiful, useful, or provocative) out of "nothing" (free stuff you might have just thrown away or recycled).
Thoreau's Legacy at the Union of Concerned Scientists
I am thrilled to be one of 15 artists whose work has been selected for a year-long exhibition (through February 2011) of pieces reflecting on a new publication from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) - Thoreau's Legacy: American Stories About Global Warming. The exhibition is on display in the 8th floor lobby of 1825 K Street, NW, in Washington, DC. My piece is a wall hanging made from fused plastic bags and reclaimed copper piping - a new direction resulting from my new blog's monthly materials exploration (see above).
Studio Info/Torpedo Factory
Summer and fall were quite busy, between studio sitting at the The Torpedo Factory and a few shows over the past two months. I still have no permanent space at the Torpedo Factory, but I'm inching toward figuring out what works best for me, and trying to coordinate it with what is available there. It will take a little while to sort it out. This February through April, I will be back in Studio 23 (Hollin Hills) on the first floor. My paper jewelry and sculpture will be on display there throughout taht period, and I will be on site on the following days (subject to change, so if you are conting on my being there when you visit, please contact me to be sure the schedule hasn't changed):
Tuesday March 9
Tuesday March 16
Tuesday March 23
Wednesday March 31
Thursday April 1 (5 - 9 pm)
Friday April 2
Tuesday April 13
Thursday April 15 (10 - 5)
Tuesday April 20
Friday April 30
SCHEDULE - Spring 2010
Shows
Friday, April 9, through Sunday, April 11 - Boston, MA
Craft Boston (www.craftboston.org)
Seaport World Trade Center
200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA
Hours:
Friday, April 9, 10 - 6
Saturday, April 10, 10 - 6
Sunday, April 11, 11 - 5
Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24 - Bethesda, MD
Trunk Show with Japanalia and Events in Style
Bethesda Women's Club
5500 Sonoma Rd. (at Old Georgetown Rd. behind NIH)
Hours:
Thursday, April 22, 4 - 8
Friday, April 23, 11 - 7
Saturday, April 24, 11 - 5
Saturday, May 28, through Monday, May 30 - Northampton, MA
Paradise City Arts Festival, Northampton
3 County Fairgrounds, Northmpton, MA
Hours:
Note! not open Friday
Saturday, May 28, 10 - 6
Sunday, May 29, 10 - 6
Monday, May 30, 10 - 5
Recent Events and Awards
2010
Personal Armor: Artists' Concepts of Aprons - Germantown, MD
Thoreau's Legacy - Washington, DC
100 Tea Bowls - Alexandria, VA
2009
Washington Craft Show - Washington, DC
Westchester Craft Show - White Plains, NY
Courage Unmasked - Katzen Arts Center, Washington, DC
Paradise City Arts Festival - Northampton, MA
Smithsonian Craft Show - Washington, DC
2008
Holiday Crafts at the Armory - New York, NY
Washington Craft Show - Washington, DC
Westchester Craft Show - White Plains, NY
2007
Creative Crafts Council Biennial - Bethesda, MD
2006
Fiber's Finest - Fiber Arts Study Group juried show, Gilchrist Museum, Cumberland, MD
Illuminations - Gallery 11, Hartford, CT
2005
Creative Crafts Council Biennial (2nd Place, Mixed Media), Strathmore Mansion, Bethesda, MD
Translucence: Forms in Paper - Lynn Tendler Bignell Gallery, Brookfield, CT
Publications
"Triangle Pillow Earrings," Step by Step Beads, Spring 2003,
Vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 18-21
"Beautiful Boughs," Step by Step Beads, Mar/Apr 2006,
Vol. 4, no. 2,
pp. 30-33
"Beaded Leaves," Step by Step Beads, Mar/Apr 2006,
Vol. 4, no. 2, pp.
34-41
"Stick Earrings," Step by Step Beads, May/June 2008,
Vol. 6, no. 3, p.
44
"Deliciously Diagonal Beaded Bead," Beadwork, June/July 2008,
Vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 64-65
See corrections to instructions at:
http://www.interweave.com/bead/beadwork_magazine/corrections.asp
By-invitation shows and Classes
As always, I am happy to do on-site trunk shows at your home or office (what a way to spend your lunch break!). I teach classes (one-on-one or in a group of up to eight) from beginner's basic bead stringing and repair to advanced bead weaving. My students have been as young as 6 years old.
Let me know if you'd like to be on my mailing lists (regular or email) for seasonal updates. Email or call (202) 361-2609.
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