bag of bead challenge 2015 - "riva - from the shore"

Every year, the Toronto Bead Society, puts on a "Bag of Beads Challenge". For a nominal sum, you can purchase a bag, containing multiple small bags, with enough beads to complete a project. Included in that bag is a stumper, which for this year, was a rather large bolt, a nut, washer and heavy, aluminum wire. It's up to you to craft something, from the contents. The only mandate, is that you must use at least one item from each bag, including the "stumper". I pondered it for a little while, and then remembered that I had purchased some tarnished silver cutlery, originally intended for a wind chime (but of course, never made). So, flying by the seat of my pants (as usual), I decided to make a doll out of a spoon. A polymer clay face (purchased from Awsomeart at Etsy) was attached to the spoon, and then I proceeded to create the doll. Her middle was wrapped with strips of batting, and an old t-shirt gave it's life for her top. Her cloak was made of wool rovings, free motion machine stitched to watersoluble, and then dissolved in hot water (it felted!). Of course, I had to use intuitive bead embroidery! The wire, coiled at each end, was used to shape a collar. I realized that she needed to be attached to a base, so I asked a strapping young man (thank you Jordie!!!) to bend a fork, I attached it to the spoon, and then to the coaster base. As the doll was taking on a rather elemental appeal, I started researching names. After a google search, I came across the french name "Riva", which means "From The Shore". She was named! The doll is attached to the base, with a layer of Apoxie Sculpt (a two-part Apoxie clay). Objects, including shells, beads. a stone and the metal bolt, were imbedded in the clay. She's lovely, she's solid, and she represents the seashore! What more could a girl ask? If I had to categorize her, I guess she would be a Mixed Media Assemblage! - Photos courtesy of The Toronto Bead Society, Photo Booth.