Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Twisted Tuesdays - Kit Talk

I am gonna let you absorb a little color before I start blabbing away... enjoy.
beads 4
beads 6
beads 5

I doubt there is a person out there that wouldn't love to run their hands through all those beads. OH how awesome they are when they are piled up together. What you are looking at is how I have spent the better part of the past three days. In that pile are more than 225 handmade soft glass lampworked beads (I think a big old bunch of beads deserves a fancier description then '225 beads'). I won't ask you to guess what they are for, the post title gives it away. Yep, they are for kits.

beads 1
beads 3

Now, those that know me well maybe wondering if I have lost my mind. I am known to suffer from a rather severe condition called reactance, lol (click the link and read the definition, it is me to a tee). Knowing I am like this may make you wonder why I would agree to teach classes that would have me doing my least favorite thing (making the same thing over and over because I *have*). To that I say, it is a easy to commit to something eight months before you actually have to do it. I figured I would make beads here and there as time passed and then voila, my kits would be ready in time to teach. YEAH, right! What happened was I made beads like that once in the past eight months and then the other day realized just how many days are left until Bead Fest Wire and that lit a spark under my butt.

Teaching on a national scale is a huge opportunity for me. It is one I don't want to mess up by being a bumbling teacher only half prepared with partial kits and not enough tools. I am taking this very seriously. So, how to react to my reactance and get the job done? Enter my alter ego, Carrie. You remember her don't you? She is the part of me that loves to clean (rather psychotically), likes order and straight lines, and twitches when I, meaning *Kerry*, repeatedly avoids starting a load of laundry when I pass the pile on the way to the studio. For the past three days, I have let that organizational, methodical, big girl part of my brain take over. And I tell ya, when I do that, some pretty amazing things can happen.

the kit 1
beads 9
beads 8

While one part of my mind carefully deducted which beads needed to be made when and in what order, my creative side got to wander and imagine the other things that could be made with these beads. So, as I went along, Carrie set mini goals and rewarded Kerry for her patience... ex: get through the next 6 beads then make a green hollow for yourself. It really was a win/win situation. I have been banging out beads like crazy and working on new designs too!! What could be better?!? I am really taking this on as a personal challenge. I want to prove I can do this. I can make kits, AND I can make them unique and one-of-a-kind. Look close at those photos... no two kits sets are the same. Seriously? Seriously.

Now, some of you may be thinking to yourself (apart from thinking I am nuts for talking about myself with different egos and going so far as to name them) "I can't get all the way to PA for a class, but I want to make a BANG Gal!, is Kerry gonna let me in on any kit action?" The answer is a resounding YES! You just have to be a bit more patient. Here is the plan (plans are important to Carrie, so let her have her way on this), I am making 25 kits for each of the 4 classes I am teaching. What aren't used by my students will be made available under a soon to be added Kit category on my website. When I run out of these kits, I will start to take orders for them. These won't be "custom" orders but rather "made-to" orders. That means I will make an order as I get it in the color combos shown on the item page and those kits will mail out in a set amount of time (I am guessing with in a week). Then, once the novelty of these first 4 kits wears off, I will release other kits from Totally Twisted each month. I am also envisioning special edition kits with different color combos. But note, kits will be created for personal use only and not intended for resale.

I really must say, I feel like such a grown up making this announcement about kits. Seems silly, but for me, I rarely remember that not only am I a Mom, Artist, and Author, but I am a Business Woman too. Acting like a spoiled brat about not wanting to do certain things often sweeps that Business Woman part of me under the rug. I am proud to let her be known more and still maintain my artistic values (like keeping things one-of-a-kind). So, here is to me dawning some big-girl underwear with a purple and blue pin striped suit while my hair is in a bun and I strut around in red shoes.

14 comments:

Madre di Draghi said...

Beautiful! I actually feel more awake looking at these this morning! Good luck with your class(es)! I'm sure you'll have a blast.

D's World said...

Amazing colors! Wish you good luck with the classes and may all your plans come to fruition:)
Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos with us!

Christine said...

Kerry, the sight of those beads is just....breathtaking...amazing. I love them! I really really hate making matching sets of beads, too, so I am in awe of your ability to get all that done. You rock!

I wish I could come to PA, but this month (and next) is crazy-busy. I'm definitely gonna see you in July, though! Have fun in PA!

Ms Baubles said...

The kits look gorgeous......I so want to roll around in those beads (well run my hands through them), and I laughed out loud reading your description of yourself at the end.....so great! :)

Cindy said...

IMPRESSIVE! All those beads in just 3 days? You go girl.

RockerJewlz said...

Hello Kerry...or, Carrie???? Who are you...right now!?

I could gobble these beads UP in that first photo and you are correct...I want to immerse my hands into the cool glass and roam around in there to feel their loveliness!

Yvonne Temple said...

Hi Kerry,

I have just found your blog after buying you book from amazon uk. I am absolutely blown away by your fantastic beads, the colours are totally inspirational and so so scrumptious... I want to eat them!!!
I enjoy working with wire in my jewellery designs too and you have been a real inspiration...
I hope the classes go well for you
Best Wishes
Yvonne xx

Jen Judd said...

Nyah, nyah, nyah...I'm taking the April class so I get to see the kits and the Kerry/Carrie in person!!! haaaaaaaaa I can't wait!

Cindy said...

Kerry,
I can't believe it. Is it really possible to make THAT many beads??! And the photos!!! I love how you styled those photos!!! I could just gaze at them for hours....and go into a bead trance. :-) They are just SO cool!!! Your students are going to be thrilled when they get their hands on the kits!

lisa oram said...

Wow! I just can't decide if I'd rather eat those beads or roll around in them naked. Those kits are amazing and beautiful. I love the balance you struck between one-of-a-kind and production. Perfecto!!

deehebard said...

Kerry...it was a busy day yesterday, so I didn't get to your blog....boy did I ever miss a good one!
The beads are GORGEOUS...all MY colors!
If you want to test out your teaching skills on me...I would be happy oblige. Heading south soon but could fit it in!!!!!

Pretty Things said...

I agree, impressive, and lovely!~ I don't think I'm ever going to get the hang of this lampwork thing when I see stuff like this!

Alice said...

Yes, I do want to run my hands through those beautiful beads!

I love the idea of putting your un-used class kits up for sale. Actually I'd really love to take a class from you, but the distance is too far.

Thanks for the inspiration Carrie, I mean Kerry.

Michelle Mach said...

Wow, those beads are gorgeous! I love that you made the kits with a bit of variation. Hope your classes go well!