Lyn Taylor, a.k.a. "The Barefoot Beader"
is a lively, consistent and valuable contributor to The Pine Needle Group
chats and gallery - working in media
that most of us have never tried - but are inspired by. So here, at my special request is her story...
one of
a woman searching for her perfect means of expression, and a little fairy tale romance:
Want to see Lyns' beaded coiled baskets?
Coiled of date palm budding stalks, bound with
artificial sinew. |
"As a kid, I couldn’t draw and didn’t see other media as art. But, I always enjoyed crafts of many kinds. My favorite campcraft skill was knots and lashing. And my favorite crafts were things like beadwork (of course) and braiding lanyards, etc.
"Later as I raised my kids, I enjoyed sewing and crochet. I acquired a ridiculous assortment of fabrics and buttons. Jars upon jars of buttons. Looking back, I see all these things as the beginning of my love of beads and fibers.
I rediscovered beading about four years ago when I took a loomwork class at my Gem and Mineral Club. I was hooked! I immediately planned and made my first amulet bag. (Photos at sides) It was designed to depict the seashore. And I embellished it with shells, sea life fetishes, etc. It proved to be very prophetic. And for the first time I felt I could be an artist. I had designed it, no pattern used, and selected all the colors and textures. So I began learning other beadwork techniques. Mostly self taught from magazines and the internet.
"Then, as I was walking my inflatable lizard (??!! editors' punctuation) through cyber-space, I met my “Prince Charming” my companion, Jack. (sigh here) There I was in Texas – yearning for the seashore. He lived in Florida – only four miles from the beach! I moved to Florida after he promised me my own “messy room” for my beading and other craft supplies. His encouragement and support have helped me nurture my abilities.
"Then the Pine Needle Group – through your help and encouragement I am learning about
new techniques and materials. I’m still working to improve my pine needle coiling. And
experimenting with things like date palm, etc. And of course gourds! Is there no end?
Our laundry room is getting full of basketry materials. Jack planted and nurtured gourds
that are now drying nicely. When he trims the trees or cleans out flower beds nothing
goes into the trash until we see what might make a nice basket!"
Applause. A very nice story. Thank you, Lyn.
Want to see Lyns' beaded coiled baskets?
Lyn Taylor, a.k.a. The Barefoot Beader is a Charter Member of The Pine Needle Group.
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