Life + Art

Kimmie here:

It is interesting to see how our lives influence the art we make. Sometimes the connection is hard to spot...for example, I have been making beads featuring koi fish for years, even back in my fimo days, but haven't had so much as a goldfish in my life for years! Where does that come from? I think it has to do with the colors and the way a beautiful fish in a pool of water is evocative of peace, elegance, tranquility--totally imaginary for me.

The lentil animals are challenging to design and fun to make in bunches. They are snappy and quick and pack a lot of punch in their tiny package. When the design is right it just hits you all at once and pushes all the right buttons. I think that's why I enjoy making them so much. I've historically been really bad about not wanting to make the same thing twice. The fact that I actually like making these by the dozen has got me pondering their nature here...I guess there's nothing incredibly profound about them, but when you're staring at the flame for hours at a time it's easy to let the mind wander.

The past six months or so have been very active and exciting for me; I've been spending lots of time outdoors, learning fun new sports, and I think all that adrenaline is informing my new work.

It seems like the more I do, the more creative and inventive I feel! There's a long summer of surfing and mountain biking ahead, and when winter comes, more snowboarding. Tons of inspiration under the sun, I hope you will enjoy seeing what comes next!

Whoooo's ready for the weekend!

Kimmie here-


I really can't complain, this week just flew by. The creativity has really been flowing; I am so excited about these little (10mm) lentil animals, I have about ten different ones already! I'm going to make myself a bracelet with one of each...might have to make it two strands the way things are going.

These owls will be posted on my site tomorrow, keep visiting the blog to see the rest of my tiny menagerie!

**and if you have a request or suggestion, please let me know! Post it in a comment here in the blog :-).

I have been asked recently how I my pictures turn out so well, and I must say it is pure luck. The workshop where I'm set up has a big skylight so all I have to do is plop the beads down and snap a photo. My camera is so old that it will only hold a charge for 10 minutes or so, so it's a good thing I don't have to do a lot of fidgeting! I do have one good tip though: instead of a spendy gradient sheet or tricky backdrop, I use parchment paper from the baking section of the grocery store. Just unroll it -drape it over something if you need a background- and roll it back up when you're done. Great stuff, and it keeps cookies from sticking to the sheet... ;-)

More Springime Beads

Kimmie here, with more lentil-based animals from my torch.

Is it just me, or do they seem to be conversing?

Whenever I put two or more animal beads in a picture they end up looking to me like they are talking, or at least relating, to each other. I don't know if it's because they are so similar, or what, but it always tickles me! Maybe I have been looking in the flame too long. What do you think? Well, I hope that's not the case, because I am logging many hours working on new and fun beads for the Bead and Button show in June. By the time the show rolls around, it is entirely possible that I will be having whole conversations with these little inanimate objects, but at least I'll have lots of them to share!

Welcome from the West Coast side of the blog

Hi all, Kimmie here,

Thank you Joan for setting up this new blog, we are going to have a lot of fun here sharing our latest work and ideas! I am also hoping that we will be able to get together in person before too long.

I have been working on some new beads this week, adding to my selection of animals based on a small lentil shape. My current favorite? The frog, seen above. I think the belly button adds a lot but don't always remember to stick it in there. The guy on the left seems to be wondering why his buddy doesn't have one!

I already have bunny rabbits, sheep, cows and ladybugs on my roster, and along with the frogs have added penguins and baby chicks. More to come, for sure. I love this concept, and these little beads look great in bunches. How small are they? The base lentil shape is about 10mm, a bit smaller than an M&M candy. Sweet!

My focus has been on a springtime theme, not counting the penguin, but if you have an animal suggestion or request, please post a comment and I will try to make it.

It has been a super productive week for me, and I look forward to sharing pictures of my latest work, including a pretty cool new project...stay tuned!