(My selected theme of memory books for this year's Bead Journal Project is based on the four elements: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire.)
Fire Element
I recently read two very interesting books by Katherine Neville -- The Eight and The Fire. The Eight was written twenty years ago and it's sequel, The Fire, was published earlier this year -- imagine waiting that many years for a sequel!
The ultimate point of the stories is the quest for eternal life, hence the use of the Phoenix bird on this month's memory book. The bird's head and neck were embroidered in satin stitch with cotton perle and metallic thread. The focal stone is a piece of Sunset Calcite from Mexico. I used size 15 beads for the wings and Robin Atkins' method of "bezeling" a cabochon for the first time.
17 comments:
These bjp memory books are fantastic! Are you planning on writing your memories of the event or emotions inside? They are all so nice.
Susan
Haven't decided yet, Susan -- they will either end up as gifts or I will fill them up with nifty stuff.
Thanks for your enthusiasm!
Kathy V in NM
OMG these are GORGEOUS. stunning! I love all of them.
The phoenix is quite astounding!
Your Phoenix bird is one of the best I've ever seen! I love the use of a stone for it's belly and the way you embroidered its head is fantastic. This journal is very, very powerful! I can't imagine giving it away. I'll share some thoughts about the journals later...
I also love all of your memory books!
What a great idea. I think your phoenix is exquisite but I also love the Prisma stone. I have never been there also but have postcards from there, I always thought it would make a great necklace theme.
Kathy - this is fabulous!!! I take it you're making the books yourself? What a wonderful idea!!!
Amazing work, kathy...the phoenix is stunning indeed!
OMG this one is gorgeous too. Great job Kathy!
I just love your books! The Phoenix is just amazing, as is the one with the slice of rock. What a great idea? Too bad I wasn't into this when my great uncle was still alive. He was a rock hound, and I remember poking around his collections and equipment when I was a little girl. Thanks for the memory!
I agree with Robin that this is probably the best Phoenix I have ever seen -- I love how it has the appearance of rising.
Your journals are beyond inpsirational and I was interested to hear that there was a second book after The Eight. Even though it's 20 years old, I just read it a few months ago and really enjoyed it. Made me want to play chess!
Fantastic imagery and beading! The Phoenix is such a powerful symbol, but one you don't see very often these days. I love yours!
20 years for a book sequel! I think that would drive me mad waiting .... but at least there was a sequel. I have read some books I loved and desperately wanted there to be a sequel, but the author moved onto other things a long time ago. A girl can always hope though! :)
Thanks for the well wishes on my blog! Things went well and I'm back to being attached to my laptop. lol!!
I know I already commented on your gorgeous beading :)
Just wanted to pop by and wish you a Very Merry Holiday Season filled with love, laughter, and all things good and wonderful!!
Gorgeous work, Kathy! Beautiful treasures these memory books are, each and every one of them!
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
~Lisa
wow- I remember reading The Eight- what a good read- thanks for the lead on the sequel!
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