As soon as Karen Williams (who is a rock star, by the way) announced a chance to make some fabulous fish from her tutorial, I jumped at the chance. I love Karen's instructions, her generosity, and really wanted to do her proud.
Here's the beautiful assortment of beads Karen sent.
This was going to be a challenge, because even though I am a beadweaver, right angle weave is not a go-to stitch for me, and sculptural RAW was new territory.
Apparently, I have been suffering from a several-week long bout of brain spasms (or to use the medical term, brain farts), because despite gorgeous photographs and fabulously detailed instructions, once I got to the construction of the body, I could not wrap my head around it and make my fish look as beautiful as Karen's examples.
I started, and I ripped out, to start again. And again. And again. And finally, I realized that travel plans meant that I had to finish and photograph three days before the deadline, so I buckled down and got it finished. It ain't pristine, and it's certainly not the entire school of fish that I had hoped to present to Karen, but it's done. I think she's kinda cute.
So without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Wanda, the Wonky Walleye.
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| "Kiss me, baby!" Don't you love her puckery red lips? |
Wanda comes in the hollow (or perhaps in this case, filetted) version, because I couldn't get the stitching to fit the stone. (Seems the level of stress in one's life translates into the thread tension in one's beadwork...)
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| She may be wonky, but Wanda has a rocking color sense! |
It is, therefore, a testament to Karen's genius that even my congenitally right-angle-weave-challenged self made a cute little fish. Thanks for the opportunity, Karen -- it really was fun, and as soon as I'm back from travelling, I'm gonna tackle this baby again and whip out Tony the Tasty Trout and Mona the Marvelous Mackerel!
In the meantime, be sure to visit the others who participated in the challenge:
Francie Broadie - FAB Custom Jewelry
Shirley Moore - Beads and Bread
Bobbie Rafferty - Beadsong Jewelry (you're here - thanks!)
Tanya Goodwin - A Work in Progress
Shirley Moore - Beads and Bread
Bobbie Rafferty - Beadsong Jewelry (you're here - thanks!)
Tanya Goodwin - A Work in Progress
Cynthia Machata - Antiquity Travelers
Kathy Jo - KJ's Beadacious Beads
Therese Frank - Therese's Treasures
Nancy Sopp - AlaskanNancy
Kathy Jo - KJ's Beadacious Beads
Therese Frank - Therese's Treasures
Nancy Sopp - AlaskanNancy
Alison Oman
Christine Altmiller - One Kiss Beaded Creations
Dolores Dwight
Amy - AmyBeads
Eleanor Pigman - Eleanor Pigman
Christine Altmiller - One Kiss Beaded Creations
Dolores Dwight
Amy - AmyBeads
Eleanor Pigman - Eleanor Pigman
16 comments:
Er? Karen's tutorial is in RAW, sweetie - which may be what caused all of your confusion!! I did a fishy, too, and maybe I am being dim, but I don't recall any square stitches? Regardless, your fishy is gorgeous and I don't see anything wrong with it at ALL!!!
Wanda is AWESOME!!!!!! Don't beat yourself up...I was beadweaving for nearly 15 years before I could wrap my head around right-angle-weave...never mind all the increases and decreases and so on! This fish looks adorable and I love the colors!!!
OMG, Wanda is so adorable! I cannot even fathom how to seed bead, let alone stitch a right angle weave! Very cute....I love it!
Wanda is wonderful, Bobbie! So cute. I can't wait to see how Tony and Mona turn out. :)
Yep, with her pale eyes and crimson pout (and trendy stripes), Wanda would be the catch of any fishway. Wishing you safe travels, and calmer waters when you return!
Wanda is simply splendid! She looks like a fish of flames. And such a fun echo of the colors in the fireworks from your previous post.
Absolutely delightful.
Wanda is cute indeed! I like the contrasting colors you used on her and you did a fantastic job with that RAW stitch!
What a cute little fish! I love the bright colors and he looks like he would be right at home in the ocean. The kissy lips are awesome.
Wanda is beautiful! I would have never guessed you had trouble because she seems to have come out perfect. She obviously has a sunny disposition and I do love those rosy lips. When you make Tony the Trout maybe they will be kissing fishes?
I so love your story, my friend! And, of course, despite all that you had going on, you came up with an ever so cute fish! I love the look of Wanda, and I know you'll be making more, when you least expect it! :)
Great color combo. It looks a bit like a Siamese Fighting fish. I love the bottom picture. The fish looks like she has a mowhawk.
It's also interesting to see what it looks like without a core bead. It must have been a challenge to do tubular right angle weave without a base.
I think Wanda should be congratulated on having her own sense of style, Bobbie! (Maybe that means there's hope for all the rest of us, too LOL)
Hope you are enjoying your trip.
Your fish looks great.
I did not have a core bead and did not even attempt to find one. My fish are stuffed with saran wrap.
I really do love these colorful fish, they are a delight to behold.
I am in love with Wanda and her colors :-) What you lack in Puff, you make up for in Pizzaz!
Hi Bobbie,
I am back from my Florida trip and just now getting around to the hop. I love Wanda the Wonky fish she is gorgeous!
Therese
Wanda is darling! I absolutely love, love, love her color scheme... And I am extremely impressed by your seedbeadery! Wonderful job! :D
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