Mary J. Winters-Meyer - Phoenix

Category: Sculpture.
Stitches used include; tubular peyote, flat peyote, netting, linked chain stitch, looped fringe and brick stitch.

I have been doing needle crafts of one kind or another ever since I was a child and found an old crochet book that had belonged to my grandmother. Most of my needlework skills have been self taught, and my beginning in beadwork is no exception.

My bead journey began in 1996 when I discovered some small kits at my local needlework shop that combined cross-stitch and beadwork. I found myself enjoying the beading more than the cross-stitching. I progressed to a small square stitch bracelet kit, then found a local bead shop, and never looked back! When the owner of my local beadshop decided to go back to school and closed the store, I turned to the internet to try and discover new sources for the tiny bits of glass that I just had to have! I also started attending bead workshops as a way to interact with other beaders and to continue learning more off-loom beadweaving techniques.

It is now four years later, and I'm still completely in love with beads. There's something about the way they catch and reflect the light that can completely absorb my attention for hours. I will often sit and "play" with a piece while I'm creating it, turning it in the light, running it through my fingers to feel the textures, etc. It can sometimes be hard to determine how long a particular piece took to bead, since I may have spent as much (or more!) time playing with the piece as I did actually beading!

The Delica Challenge was my introduction to Miyuki Delica beads, and the beginning of yet another bead addiction. (It is my goal to some day own every color of Delicas - a day which keeps receding into the future as Miyuki adds more and more colors to their product lines!) Participating in the Challenges has allowed me to truly challenge myself and to expand both my skills and my imagination.

For the second Challenge, I chose the myth of the Phoenix. I kept a visual record of the progress on my entry and created a gallery page, which can be seen on my website. This page also contains a brief explanation of the Phoenix legend that was my inspiration.

More of my work, and my beading accomplishments, can also be seen on my site: http://www.beadingbanshee.com. In addition to other galleries with pictures of finished beadwork, you will also find information about the book I have authored, Linked Chain Stitch Basics, Vol. 1. (The linked chain stitch was used to make the feathers in the wings and tail of my Phoenix.)

Pieces on display in my galleries are items that have already sold, or items that have a very personal meaning and are not for sale. However, I do have a secure online store where some of my finished beadwork, as well as my book and kits, may be purchased.

There are several different versions of the Phoenix legend, probably because several cultures each have their own, including Egyptian, Greek and Oriental mythology. The following version is the one I liked best and which is the basis for my entry.

After living 500 years, the dying Phoenix builds a nest in the topmost branches of a tree. The rising sun sets the nest on fire and both the bird and the nest are completely consumed by the flames, which give birth to the new Phoenix. (I like to think that because it’s such a magical bird, the flames do no harm to the tree.) The new Phoenix inters the ashes of its predecessor in an egg of Myrrh and then flies into the setting sun, carrying the egg to the altar of the sun god.

My piece shows the Phoenix just after it has been reborn, before it begins its joumey. It takes a moment to bask in the sun before beginning its long journey. I found it interesting that all of the elements in the legend are symbols of resurrection and rebirth or of death; the rising sun, the Phoenix itself, the egg, the Myrrh, and even the tree (which “dies” in the fall and is “reborn” in the spring.) In fact, the only symbol of resurrection I could think of that isn ‘t included is the butterfly, so in my piece, one of these little fellows makes its presence known. In fact, he’s rather a mischievous fellow, and decides to surprise the Phoenix by landing right on the egg for a moment, before flitting off to a more tempting flower.

I love corresponding with other beaders (or fans of beadwork!) and can be reached via email at banshee.no.spam@beadingbanshee.com.