Thursday, February 28, 2008

March, April, May... Then What???????

Some of you have been making comments about not wanting this to end. So now everyone gets a chance to vote about whether or not you'd like to continue the BJP for another year. The poll is at the top left of our page, where it will remain active for a month.

Please vote only ONE time. If you'd like to explain your vote or offer other options, please either write a post or comment on this one.

With one-quarter of the year's work still ahead of us, we have a little time to think about the committment and if we want to do it again. With three-quarters of the year's work behind us, I can say that without a doubt, it's one of the most satisfying experiences of my life... both personal benefits from doing my own pages and countless benefits and inspirations from participating in the group! Thanks to each and every one of you for your contributions!

Blessings, Robin A.

18 comments:

pam T said...

Personally I hope we just jump right in to a 2nd year and keep on going. I would like to say that maybe if some drop out, there are others who were interested last year and couldn't get on could now join in?

Cindy said...

I like the idea of continuing but I also like the idea of having a little break to maybe catch up :) But if it continues straight away, I'm fine with that.

I would also like for it to be OK to change what I'm doing. I believe that the rules for the first one were that you had to do the same size, type of item, etc. for 12 months. I would like to be able to try doing a different layout/format for the next 12 months. Something to help me expand on what I'm doing.

This is a fun process & it does force me to keep beading. Not that I need forcing to do that but life can get so busy at times that it is nice to give myself permission to spend time doing something I want to do! :)

Trilly said...

I would love to see us just continue on. If we have a split vote between continuing and delaying, how about make it just a couple month delay, like starting in September. Also, I would love if we could change sapes or sizes. I would love to challenge myself to doing something different every month in terms of piece size and shape.

I also just want to thank you, Robin, so much for organizing this project and providing such inspiration. The rest of my beading has been so inspired by this project and it is so very fulfilling.

Lisa/Trilly

Angela said...

I would love to just continue and think I will regardless of whether we do this officially again or not. I have seen a lot of growth in my art and have put more of myself into these pieces than I have most of my work.

If people wish for a delay I like Trilly's idea of September or sometime like that. Although there are advantages to a calendar year, the idea of trying to be finished over the holidays may make it a bit difficult for many people.

Thanks again Robin, I agree that besides learn a lot about myself and seeing my own art work grow that sharing this with the group and seeing everyone else's work has been amazing. Thank you for deciding to do this and spearheading it. You are amazing.

Angie

Brenda said...

I also vote to continue, but I do like the idea of a couple months off.
I am thinking it will take that long to get these pages into a book!

I have grown so much due to this challenge, not only as a beader but as an artist and as a person.

The idea of not being connected to everyone through these blogs makes me sad to even think about it.

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking at this point that I would probably continue, but I'm also thinking about all the people who have said to me, "How can I get in on that?" Would it be possible to open up the "enrollment" again before we launch into our second year?

Quilt Architect said...

I have really enjoyed this year of the Beading Journal Project. I am really grateful for this challenge as it has stretched me in many different ways other than just beading.

Just to help drive more people to participate it might be good to have the start up time be September. A lot of people feel like they can start something then rather than commit to something in June.

I think that if we did stop for a couple of months and "finish" (as in binding or displaying our "pages") our 2007 -2008 pages then post those up in September when we started over again...wouldn't that be a grand finally to start the year on. It might give some of the lagers an opportunity to catch up as well.

I had an idea of mounting my barrettes on a board to display them. But I haven't done it because I am in the process of making the barrettes.
I thought about how I would like to do it and how I would also like to maybe have it be part of a gallery show at a tea shop or something like this. This would be a great way for me to promote doing the BJP in my area. So I am ok with a start up time in September as long as the board is not shut down till then. I would really miss this board and seeing what you all are doing to get your pages finished.

Magpie Sue said...

My first instinct is to just keep going when this year's project officially ends but I see the benefit of having a couple of months for participants to get finished up and new folks to get on board. So the idea of starting the next BJP in September is very appealing to me. Starting in January is just plain scary. There are too many other "new things" happening then (if you know what I mean).

Let me join the choir in expressing my gratitude to you, Robin, for this whole oppportunity :- )

Mary Timme said...

I need a break but want to continue with more and I think the September date is just nifty. Why, because some people bead more in the winter and some in the summer, and if someone wanted to work ahead, why not.

I defintely want to continue with perhaps a theme; a jumping off place. I'm thinking of 'big' words like "Change or love means... or my ideal life, or If I could..." or something like that. A broad theme to carry us into new adventures in beading. I want to push boundries and explore new ways of beading what I do.

Timaree said...

Well, I got so excited seeing the poll I didn't scroll down to see if there was a posting about it before I put my two cents in as a post. I like everyone's idea of a couple of months to finish up. If some want some sort of theme that is fine with me too. Really, just getting to stay tuned in with everyone and their beading is what is important to me.

abeadlady said...

While I voted to continue on in June, I can understand the desire for a break. This has been such a wonderful experience for me. Not only has my beading improved immensely, but I wouldn't trade getting to know all of you for anything in the world.

I already have several ideas about what I want to do next. I may just continue through the summer just for the fun of it.

Thank you, Robin, for providing the venue for us to get to know one another and to progress in our beading skills. You are a treasure.

Arline

Sweetpea said...

Howdy from your fellow *islander*, Robin!

Do you see me now, bowing down in a posture of awe and gratefulness? You TOTALLY ROCK for being willing to "oversee" all of us for a whole, additional year!!!!! Yes, yes, yes, let's keep going, by all means :>}}

I have just cast my vote for continuing on with a break in between. As I read the posts above, I got excited about starting up in September (instead of January) for the same reasons expressed above. Plus, I think I will actually be able to finish 2007's pages by September (sheepish grin). I am already daydreaming about my NEXT theme & format & all the beady experiments to come.

THANK YOU so, so much.....

Christi in WA state

KV said...

Hi, Robin --

We just returned from a long trip and I was so excited to see your poll at the top of this page! But every time I try to vote, it says vote cannot be processed . . .

That said, I would love to continue on with BJP no matter what time format you choose to do it in. This has been one of the most pleasurable experiences I have ever had with an online community . . .

Kathy V in NM

Acey said...

a little late to the party but I, always, would love to continue. This is my first experience with journaling in a completely visual way and I feel there's still so much to learn and explore. I love the structure and support this group provides while also leaving the actual creativity completely self-directed.

It is fun to consider different themes I might like to explore. Would like at least a tiny break before pressing on into year two especially since I've become a behinder this month. February was personally brutal - a lot more "in sickness" than "in health" but I refuse to panic or worry too much.

It's so inspiring to see so many people ready and willing to take another year of time together on this particular project.

jopatt said...

I'm afraid I am a descenting vote. I simply don't have enough time to do the pages and/or any work of my own. This has caused a great deal of frustration which has translated into a lack of inspiration...which I've never had before. I did want to see the final outcome of our work but there is no conversation about that piece of the puzzle. I rather like being able to look forward to the completion of a project before I move on to another. Jopatt

Anonymous said...

I see by the other comments thatI am repeating a lot of what has already been said. I, too, want to continue with more Bead Journals this next year. I am torn between a June or a Sept start date, although Sept would give all of us a chance to catch up, take a break, and plan our strategy for the next 12 journals. As far as "conversation" about seeing all the first year's Bead Journals....are there any plans to do this? Like a group photo page? Or do we continue jumping around to individual blogs to see one or two pieces at a time? I do not have a blog, so I need to find out where/how to show my journals. I also may change the shape of my pieces for next year, but I would like to continue with my own ideas, and not be restricted by a given theme. Thanks for sponsoring this challenge, Robin.
NancyD (Texas)

Katie B said...

Robin,
As I told someone earlier, I stumbled with this -- I couldn't get my hands (brain) around a seperate page a month. I did 2 or 3 and was NOT happy with them.
But, when I toke this and made it my own -- I think I broke the rules a bit... I was able to surge forward.
I converted my project to a quilt/wall hanging.
I have one section for each month.
That gave me continuity and a feeling of completion/accomplishment.

Haven't gotten my pictures done yet, but I promise they are coming.

Funny, I tried doing dolls and that was nice but not me.
I still make beaded buttons (and loved your class at Puget !) even if I do do it the hard way (by beading ON the button instead of on the material and then putting it on the button).

It is the quilted/wall hanging pieces that have stolen my heart.
Please tell Thom that he has been my inspiration since I took his class at Beki's Vegas bead retreat!

Katie B (coconutbead)

Katie B said...

PS: I completed the poll and said start again -- but a break to September(as some of the ladies mentioned) would be good too!
But not TOO long of a break!