Kona Dreams is one of those ideas that capture the mind from the moment it is born. And it doesn’t leave until it is implemented.
My first trip to Hawaii was also the first trip I had no plans on doing anything but just being. I think, “just being” is essential when describing Hawaii. Rain or shine, Hawaii islands are beautiful. Most importantly, being there reminds me of life as given, without any fake happiness created to impress social media.
It was particularly Kona, that made me think of a beaded piece that would express my short existence on the Big Island. The turquoise ocean water, green turtles and Kona coffee intertwined in my design idea and Hawaii through my eyes.
Kona Dreams Video Presentation (Part 1) is here.
Kona Dreams: The Creative Process
The Preparation Stage
The preparation period took approximately two weeks. I did not make a single stitch during that time. I spent my time considering all the elements of the design and working on the drawing. I did not want to be stuck in the process due to details I did not think through beforehand.
The preparation stage included:
- Selecting beads and materials
- Working on a sketch
- Working on the design details
- Working on color choices
- Deciding on techniques
- Deciding the steps of the process
The Implementation
I started with transferring the drawing onto the backing material.
After checking all the major elements against the drawing on the backing, I started attaching them one by one.
To bezel around them I used:
- Peyote stitch
- Stacks bezel stitch
Since I planned this necklace as a raised bead embroidery piece, I decided to start working from the center of the necklace.
Next, it was necessary to outline the turtle drawing to create a border for the embroidery inside it.
Then I worked on the elements of raised embroidery of the turtle.
The top legs of the turtle were meant to include raised elements also. To avoid catching the thread in them, I left finishing them after I cover all the remaining surface around the turtle.
I used the following bead embroidery techniques:
- Backstitch
- Stacks Stitch or Fringe Stitch
- Picot stitch
- Braid stitch
The Embellishments
The embellishment part of the necklace (the bottom part) also included the embroidery and the focal stone. It sounds paradoxical, but it is in my nature to make things controversial just because it entertains my brain.
The bead embroidery around the top part of the pendant is not a new idea. I have used it before in my “Tonga Queen” necklace design. Since then it became popular, But I still love the idea.
It was challenging to do the wirework for the stone just so it was hidden under the embroidery. I felt, it is important to secure the attachment, but not attract any attention to it. I re-did the wirework several times until it looked acceptable.
All other beads in the embellishment part were meant to float in the air (or water if you wish), so I used stack stitch and CRAW stitch to connect them to the main piece.
The Challenges
The challenges were rather expected ones.
- I needed more patience than I had at the time. Even though I re-did many parts of the embroidery, I was not completely happy with the outcome.
- I’ve decided to use the most affordable beads available, to show that art does not depend on most expensive ingredients. For a person who always favors the most expensive item in a shop, it was sort of against my character.
- It was not enough coffee in my coffeemaker while I was working on the necklace.
- I’ve made some changes in the design which I felt, did not complete the idea.
- The biggest challenge of all was to give life to the authentic idea, my own personal expression of Hawaii in a form of beadwork and embroidery.
Do you think I accomplished that? I know my answer, but it is important for me to know what you think!
Now that you know how Kona Dreams was made, would you try to create something similar? Would try to echo it? Even if it is a much smaller piece, would you play with those beads?
