Sunday, May 18, 2008

My Artistic Calling

Dear Kelly,

I've been crafting since I was a wee little girl and over the years I have tried all sorts of different crafts. Cross-stitching, altered books, crochet, lampwork beads, jewelry, bookbinding...some I've done well, some I was awful at and mostly I did adequately but never really enjoyed it in the end. As I'm nearing my 33rd (eep!) birthday, I think I've finally found my artistic calling - perler bead portraiture. Here is my first masterpiece:






















I am in love with my own work. Mr. T pities the fool. Yeah. He's big, too. Huge. A good two feet high, if not more. The best part is that I'm making patterns (using cross-stitch software) for more portraits. 70s Elvis is up next!

Love,
Shayne

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Good job! You know they make different size perlers. Hama has actually been around longer. http://www.kazootoys.com/hama.html

kelly said...

This is absolutely FANTASTIC! I pity the fool who doesn't bow down to your perler bead mastery!

Shayne said...

Cntrysigns - thanks for the tip! Hama has much better metallics than Perler.

Victoria said...

Congrats on finding your artistic calling!!
Well done!

Unknown said...

oh my goddess, that is THE best! (and what software are you using?)

Castro Valley Farmers Market said...

This is one of the best craft projects I have EVER seen!

Shayne said...

Oh, my goodness! I am so flattered :)

Rose - I use PC Stitch. It's great. You can download a trial version from their website - www.pcstitch.com. I just saw the other day that Hama has their own software, so I suppose if that was all you were going to use it for, get theirs. The awesome thing with PC Stitch (and any other cross stitch software, I bet) is that you can use the patterns for cross stitch, embroidery, plastic canvas, fuse beads, probably even Intarsia knitting (Kelly, did I get that right?)

kelly said...

"probably even Intarsia knitting (Kelly, did I get that right?)"

The word "Intarsia?" Yes, you got that right. Go, you!

As for using a program like this for intarsia, there is only one problem -- knitted stitches are actually rectangles (taller than they are wide) so if you used a pattern where the grid was square... your finished product would be, erm, kinda "stretched" looking. (Which may not matter for some patterns, actually.)

So here's my question for you: Can you change the shape of the squares in the grid on your program? (That is, from a square to a rectangle.)

Shayne said...

Squares only. I bet someone way more clever than me could figure out a formula to reduce the rows of squares to make the rectangles work out. Like 2 squares for each rectangle. Or something more complicated. Ouch, my brain!

amy dame said...

damn, that is so cool! it must have taken you forever!

where did you get all the perler beads from? i see them around, but they're always in big mixed tubs, not so good for stuff like this!

Shayne said...

Amy, you can buy 1000-packs of each color bead individually from www.perlerbeads.com and www.hamabeads.com.