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JoAnn Feher - The Frog Prince
Category: Body Adornment.
The Frog Prince is made in hollow, 3-dimensional peyote stitch. It is freeform, there is no core. The mask is papier mache with gold glitter and a twisted wire handle
I saw Joyce Scott's work on the cover of Ornament Magazine and was determined to learn to do that type of beadwork. I did not have any luck finding classes for about a year. Then I learned that Joyce was coming to Seattle to teach a 5 day workshop at The Pratt Institute. My husband gave me the classes as a birthday present. I knew nothing about peyote stitch. or beading at all for that matter. I took a basic course from David Chatt also at Pratt. I have studied other techniques but I keep coming back to peyote. I just love it.
I have always liked Frogs and the wonderful shiny green Delicas were so appealing. I decided that the Frog Prince was the perfect myth. When I begin a piece I have a basic idea of how it will look, but the actual design evolves as I work. I did discover that while Delicas are wonderful for their ability to mesh and fit together very well on the flat or larger curves they are very difficult to use on tight curves, such as the legs of my frog.
My piece is not for sale. It has been shown at Absolutely Beads at Beads and Beyond in Belleview Wa. where it won special recognition.
I do not have a web site, but would be willing to respond to e-mails. Jafeher.no.spam@aol.com
I have a piece in the wonderful "Best of Contemporary Beadwork" and had a piece included in the Corning Museum New Glass Review, Bead Art, and Beadwork Up Close.
I have had my work shown in a number of shows all around the country.
The folk tale:
A Princess playing with a golden ball accidentally dropped it into a well. A frog, who lived in the well, offered to retrieve it, but only if she agreed to live with him, learn to love him, and seal her love with a kiss.
When the Princess tried to break her promise her father was angry. “ Do not scorn someone who has helped you!" he shouted at her and made her promise to keep her word.
After living together for several weeks the frog reminded the Princess of the kiss she had promised. Reluctantly she did kiss him, and lo and hehold the frog was transformed into a handsome Prince. The kiss had broken the spell cast by an evil witch and restored the frog to his true self. The Princess married her Prince and they live happily ever after.
My Frog Prince is from the ballet based on this folk tale.