The Ever Expanding Blog Hop

Hello! Hello! I'm thrilled to have been asked by blogging buddy Lisa of Recklinghausen Musings to take part in an ever expanding blog-hop - where everyone who takes part answers a few questions about their creative pursuits and processes, then asks some of their favourite bloggers to do the same. So, shall we begin?

What Am I Working On?

At the moment, I'm beading, beading, beading! While I'm thrilled to be participating in a beading competition of epic proportions - The Battle of the Beadsmith, 2014 - the deadline is looming! I have until the 8th June to finish and photograph my beadwork entry - better get a move on, eh?

I would absolutely love to share what I've been working on, but I'm not allowed! In the meantime, you can find out more about Battle Of The Beadsmith 2014, and see some of the amazing beadwork from 2013, by joining the Battle Of The Beadsmith Facebook Group.

And after I'm finished? I'm looking forward to taking a little break from beading to work on my Southern Adventure Album. I'll be working with May's Counterfeit Kit (untouched while I've been busy beading!) and, hopefully, with a new kit inspired by the Counterfeit Kit Inspiration for June.

How Does My Work Differ From Others Of Its Genre?

I'm still relatively new to the world of beadwork and designing, so my style is still developing, but I lke to think that what 'sets me apart' is my attention to detail. I'm still 'obstinately pursuing' perfection, so I will constantly look for ways to tweak a design, take better photographs or write clearer beading tutorials and - thanks to some lovely customer feedback - I know that this dedication is appreciated!

Why Do I Create What I Do?

As an artist I am hugely inspired by both Art Deco and Art Nouveau and my work often appears to be created by someone with a split personality – displaying either a love of linear design, colour and geometric shapes or a love of nature, with fluidic shapes, textures and surprising details.

Briar Rose Bracelet Tutorial - Obstinate Pursuit

How Does Your Creative Process Work?

The architectural nature of dimensional beadwork appeals to me. I love watching structures and shapes develop with the addition of each new bead. The possibilities are almost endless and I am often reminded a little of my childhood favourite, Lego, when I would sit for hours working out how to create new shapes and structures with the same basic materials.

Dainty Drop Earrings - Turquoise, Bronze & White Pearl Beaded Earrings

I love the evolution that happens when I allow myself to work with the materials that I have to hand and, although I often have an idea in mind - a badly scribbled sketch or some notes - I don't really mind when 'mistake's happen. It's all fun! Until I want to write a tutorial and can't remember how I've made something! :)

Now, it's my turn to send you all onwards into the ever expanding blog hop, by tagging three of my favourite bloggers. But. Um. Well. Unfortunately, 'life' happened to one of them and it was a little too late to ask someone to step in at the last minute.

The first is the lovely Leah Curtis of Beady Eyed Bunny. Leah is a self-taught artist, who uses a combination of wire, gemstones, polymer clay and metal to create amazing art beads and some beautifully tactile jewellery.

Leah and I first 'met' when I participated in one of Leah's History Hop Challenges, which are a lot of fun and almost too inspiring. We now 'see each other regularly' through our various social media accounts!

The second, is the wonderfully charming Kirsty Frisby of K's Crafty Corner. Kirsty is a 'scrapbooking-soulmate' who produces some incredibly touching (and often amusing) scrapbook pages chronicaling her family life.

I have absolutely no idea how I first came across Kirsty online, but I am happy to have met her in real life at a blogger's retreat a little while back where we became firm friends over a shared interest in cake and hot glue guns. I pretended that it didn't hurt much when I hot glued my finger together and Kirsty pretended that she didn't find it funny. The cake was much less harmful!