Wow! WhenI looked at the date of my last post I was chagrinned. I knew I had lapsed in my blog posts, but I had not realized how long it had been. I spent all of my free time in the summer focused on completely my beaded vest, shown here on display at the League of NH Craftsmen "Craftwear" Ecxhibit at the summer 2013 Craft Fair. I will post more photos later. I finished late the night before it was due, adjusting tension and making finishing touches. Several times I needed to treat my beaded work like fabric and actually cut sections away to create a better fitted garment. That was painful! This was the largest, most complicated piece I have made. In some ways, the rote nature of weaving the same size 11 gunmetal beads in right angle weave over and over felt like drudgery. That said, it was also a project that demanded skills of draping, sizing, emotional impact and shape. At the opening, I overhead a friend remarking on it. She was amazed that this was my work as it seemed so unlike me. A powerful statement, and perhaps, a validation of my efforts!