Use the Muse IV Sneak Peek

Scarlett Lanson's  Use the Muse IV contest is currently underway and I'm excited to show you a few sneak peaks of my entry.   My daughter and I are huge Project Runway fans and as I worked on this piece, I couldn't help but compare the experience.  If you've watched the show, you'll know that contestants are constantly pushed to create couture and creative garments.  While that is not a requirement in this bead challenge, winning pieces definitely need to be creative as well as skillfully constructed.  My beading tends to be streamlined and matches my individual style.   Like project runway contestants, I find it challenging to create something that is both me, yet also elaborate enough to catch the judge's eye.  I attempt to incorporate techniques I haven't used before.  I also attempt to make the piece versatile and asymmetrical both of which usually push my creativity.

I totally sympathize with the time and material constraints placed on Project Runway contestants.  In comparison I had nearly unlimited materials (a base kit is provided by Artbeads and you can add whatever you want) and I might as well have had unlimited time (3 weeks).  This season's most recent "your out" was given to Jonathan after he redid his dress five times and finally ran out of both fabric and time.  Had he been given more of both, he would have achieved a better result.  I can't count the number of times I completely revamped my Use the Muse IV design.  I'm lucky that beads can be pulled apart and reused an unlimited amount of times or my result would have also failed on the runway.

My first inspiration was chainmaille and I envisioned draping chains of beadwork from the Muse (shhh, a big secret, I can't reveal the muse yet).  Unfortunately, neither herringbone nor spiral stitches created the delicacy I was looking for.  My daughter provided the next inspiration, dream catcher, and the resulting spiral dangles were quite lovely.  I then preceded to add a riveted element and was quite happy with the result and it was time to work on the neck pieces.

That's when I created the ropes you see in the picture above.  They started out as a simple weave around the provided leather cord that was going to go behind the neck.  However, they evolved in something much more elaborate using herringbone and right angle weaves in tubular form.  They were also the perfect size to make into a bracelet and I decided to make two straps, both bracelet length.

The second strap quickly formed in an embellished spiral weave.  Back to the drawing board....I decided the focal point needed to be redone completely.  Off went the spiral rope dangles (lovely though they were) and off went the riveted elements (never to be seen again).  Many things were tried and cut off until I was satisfied.  I won't spoil the surprise but look for updates after the Muse is revealed on Scarlett's website later this month.  I leave you with the picture of the mess left behind...I wonder how long before this is cleaned up?

For more information visit:

The Beader's Muse
Artbeads