Lana Beads' photostream

The designs I create are intended to remind their wearer of their connection to the universe. This is done sometimes through the icons included in my work: use of stars, circles, or stardust colored items and through the use of natural materials, linen twine, wood, bone, horn, stone, crystal, and glass: my use of color if also informed by this intent to remind us of our place in the universe, constantly moving within it, changing, and being changed by seen and unseen forces.
When I am choosing colors, especially in seed beads, I remain acutely aware of how when light passes though these beads, its wave form is altered, that is the color in the glasses interacts with the light going though it, changing the environment of the wearer in a minor, but significant way. Of course a color in any form has this effect, and it is why design and fashion are such a integral part of how we interact, and present ourselves to the world, we are acting always on the spaces we confront. What draws me particularly to the seed though, are two things particular to their size and form. That the beads are glass is a draw for me because this allows the light to pass through the material and emerge changed, which is a more significant action to me, that when light is simply reflected off its surface (this happens too, of course, with glass) because the light has gone through the glass, affecting it as much as the glass changes the light, so that the light coming out, what we perceive, is a creation of the interaction of two elements. Also, because seed beads are so small, all this interplay, with the light, with the wearer, with the environment- this all happens on a very small scale, pointing to what is going on all around us on a very small scale, these atomic and physical interactions in the universe. When noticing the details of a strand of beads we are tuning ourselves into the minor details so often overlooked when we are not in the proper mindset. When I am looking at an item composed of hundreds and hundreds of these linked up dots of glass, and the whole of what is created by their proximity: I say proximity because, like atoms, though they are linked, and work as a whole, they remain separate and whole in their selves: I am able to see what is separate as a part of a whole, and what is whole, as being just a pile of little pieces. This is how I enjoy viewing the universe as well, and of course I want it all to be a delight to the viewer.
I also try very often to take my color cues from the natural elements around me. I will note how colors are combined in my favorite plants, flowers, and even whole landscapes. Wearing earth tones is wonderful way to stay grounded throughout the day, browns, greens, coppers; The blue from the sky is both calming and uplifting; Fire colors are a favorite of mine. Red, yellow, and orange, individually are not favorites of mine, but combined, they really come alive, and I love to make pieces that sparkle and wink with the draw and power of a flame (one of the archaic “elements”).
My favorite symbol lately has been that of the star. I’ve been wearing stars a lot, and have been incorporating them into my work. Using colors such as black (the color of space), purple (for fun), white (an ethereal star : ) ), and wonderfully enough, I’ve found stars that really sparkle with highly reflective surfaces; clear stars, and milky stars definitely say Milky Way to me (our neighborhood address in the universe!). Stars are fun and cute, they can even seem a little childish, but they are undeniably attractive, a simple five pointed shape that reminds us of the endless galaxies swirling over our heads. I think the clear glass and white beads also signal the spiritual connotations of the heavens, and looking at those pieces that include blues, whites, and stars, it brings me into a very spiritual mindset where I think beyond just my physical place in the universe, and remember there exists and unseen part of myself that is connected with the stars above. My hope is that anyone viewing or wearing my work will feel this as well.