Canadian Bead Oasis: LadeeBee meets the Juicy Bead Ladies

I remembered today that the Canadian Bead Oasis show starts this weekend. So even though I have a million things to do (what woman doesn't) I jetted down to Union Station, through the maze that is the MTCC, down, down, down to the basement until I came to my final destination.

As I walked through the long hallways, and rode down escalators, I wondered why on earth they chose to hold the Bead Oasis so far from civilization and then I realized it must be to build up suspense. Well the suspense was almost the most exciting aspect of this disappointing show until I came across the Juicy Bead Ladies. The Ladies did not disappoint, and I can tell you they were juicy.

Before I get into the good stuff I have to explain why so disappointing. First of all the vendors were all virtually presenting the same things for the same prices and the same prices I can get any time at any Queen Street bead shop. There was nothing new, nothing different, boring, boring, boring or irrelevant in the case of bedazzled bra strap peddlers. Enough ranting, my trip was made worthwhile all because of the Juicy Lady discovery.

Juicy Bead Ladies had lots of plastic. Plastic, plastic, everywhere plastic. Already I was attracted. Then Maureen (a Juicy Beader) told me it was "vintage". Did she mean vintage-style or vintage-old? She meant old. Old as in the beads were manufactured sometime in the 40's or 50's. Apparently, the lucite beads fell from grace, people stopped buying and they were stored for years until they were rediscovered and reintroduced to the beading world and now their popularity is steadily on the rise. At that moment, in my imagination, I felt I had personally stumbled upon a warehouse full of lucite beads spilling from copper urns (a la Indiana Jones). I was an explorer stumbling upon a piece of beady history. I salivated. My eyes could not get enough of the colours. There were so many varieties, how does one choose?

I made my purchase carefully on borrowed dollars. I felt like I must've spent 40 minutes at that table ruminating on what I really wanted and not just on what I wanted, because honestly I wanted it all. If I had a thousand dollars I would've spent it and not felt an ounce of guilt. (Good thing I was broke) Okay maybe a little guilty, I kind of felt like I was cheating on yarn ;

So at the end of the day it was a good time. I couldn't wait to handle the beads again so on my way up the escalator I stuffed my hand through the tissue papered bag to pull out a tiny strand of vintage lucite beads, and mumbled to myself "I can't believe she wrapped them individually in tissue". I looked up for a moment and a lone woman on the down escalator made unapologetic eye contact with me. A fellow beader. She smiled and I replied, "I can't wait to play with my new toys." she continued to smile knowingly, "I know aren't we awful." Yes, we are. We are just awful.

See the Juicy Bead Ladies for yourselves at: http://www.juicybeadladies.com/

LadeeBee's Artist Bio

I was born in 1976 and for as long as I can remember I loved to create. Childhood was a fantastic time to explore with colours, shapes, materials, and ideas. Since my mother was single and raising three children on her own there wasn’t much cash for my crafting habits. I exercised my resourcefulness in acquiring my materials by sneaking into the supply cupboard after school and helping myself to lick and stick shapes, colourful stars, stickers, origami paper, glue, scissors, construction paper, string and whatever met my fancy.
As I grew older I had no idea that art could turn into a viable job or career. Not knowing what I wanted to do I took a year off between high school and college to work. At the tender age of 19, before I could even think about my college application, I became a parent. After becoming a mommy I studied Early Childhood Education and attained my degree in Psychology. While studying I worked with children teaching them arts and crafts at camps and after school programs.
After graduation I worked a couple of years with children in daycares and nursery schools, then I landed a job in social work as a Parent-Child Counsellor at a centre for teen parents. My job was going well, however I could feel myself slipping further and further down emotionally. After speaking to the staff psychologist she suggested that I get help as she had a concern that I was suffering from depression. I have been on sick leave from my job for the past few months working on recovering from a long, long history of depression.
Part of my recovery involved knitting and knitting and knitting. I spent days shopping for yarn, moving from one project to the next. Sometimes working on the same pattern several times over. I started a knitting circle in my community to meet other people. I started a blog and an online shop. My collection of resource books for crafting anything from paper to mosaics has more than quadrupled.
Where my life will go from here is an open road. I only know that it will involve a lot more creating and of course, good health.

LadeeBee's Artist's Statement

Truth be told if I had all the time in the world my dream would be to make everything I use. I want to know how to make everything from cosmetics to paper to furniture to an entire dwelling. At this time in my life I have the unique opportunity to devote the majority of my day to whatever it is I choose to make. Currently I am completely consumed by the fibre arts and needlecraft, primarily knitting, crochet, sewing and embroidery.
Crafting is my passion and is an elevating experience for me. Crafting is a major part of my recovery from depression. Many projects and ideas inspire me and I can have as many as 10-15 projects on the go. When choosing a project I usually pick one that challenges my resourcefulness as I am thrifty and nothing makes me more satisfied than saving a dollar while at the same time acquiring top quality useful items. If I can complete an entire project from nothing but supplies found at a thrift store I feel extremely proud and accomplished.
My work is defined by simplicity, functionality, durability, and comfort. I enjoy working with a variety of natural fibres such as wool, silk, soy, bamboo, cotton, hemp and linen. I prefer colours that are earthy. I often look at vintage magazines and books for inspiration and feel extremely satisfied when I can give old styles a new life.
My current work contains hours of meditation and thought. Every stitch or bead strung represents a small step forward in my recovery from depression. The colours and fibres I have chosen have pleased my senses and awakened feelings of pleasure, ability, competence, creativity, life, excitement and passion.

Show and Tell

I am taking a break from crocheting madness and nursing my crochet-wrist injury to finally write in the old bloggeroo.

I find the crafting and art community so supportive...thank goodness. What a great bunch of peeps. Just a little effort seems to return so many rewards when it comes to putting yourself out there as a crafting artist.
A couple of weeks ago I took advantage of the free advertising on Craigslist to direct folks to my etsy site...okay so it didn't garner any sales yet, but a few people contacted me. Some with advice, others with interesting offers. This has lead to my first showing at a real life studio! How cool is that. I am a little nervous-okay a lot nervous and pretty excited...also I have had to do battle with my "depression thoughts". Wanna know what they were? Stuff like "this stuff is not as good as the other people's, my stuff will never sell, do I really have a talent for this?" and on and on and on. I know, what a downer. Mostly though I can manage to be excited and proud.
So I have been busting my hump because the lovely woman who is opening her studio and gallery loves my crochet hats and necklaces...did I have any in stock??? Sure! (a little fib). So consequently I have this wrist injury, but six lovely hats that I want to keep for myself!!!
Studio Nine Gallery is in Leslieville (1400 Queen East, Toronto). This husband and wife team have a shop, teaching space, studio space, and a kitchen in a beautiful old home. It is a wonderful concept and she is so transparently passionate about what she is doing. I am honoured to be a part of it-even in some small way. So tell your friends and tell your friends friends and your friends friends friends to get there tushies on down to Studio Nine to have a gander at the selection of fine arts and crafts and maybe even take a class.

http://www.studioninegallery.com/