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Lady-Blue — Ikebana Beaded Flower Arrangement
Published: 2012-01-22 17:23:12 +0000 UTC; Views: 8316; Favourites: 43; Downloads: 887
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Description
This is my first attempt at creating a ikebana-inspired beaded flower arrangement. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. I love its simplicity and sense of balance.From the bottom of the container to the top leaf, this arrangement is 15.5 inches tall.
I would love to get your feedback!
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Comments: 36
Thanks! I know it's not precisely ikebana, but I did what I could with my limited knowledge.
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So cool! Are the stems made of beads as well? That flower is seriously fucking awesome!
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Thanks Vernon! The stems aren't beaded. They're just wrapped with embroidery floss.
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It's positively lovely! I love the elegance of the twisting and curving stems and leaves. And it's balanced out well with the heavier flower and blades of grass
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Lovely as usual!
I don't know ... anything about ikebana save that when I saw this thumbnail I knew it was ikebana of some sort. So bear that in mind when I say that it is a bit boring on further inspection, being mostly green with only a splash of pink at the base. Maybe use a few different colors of green or add a few colors to the flower if you do this again, add in some subtle details.
I like it quite a lot, yes, it's just that this isn't a piece which holds my interest in the way that some of your others have.
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Thanks for your comments!
I agree with you. I could definitely add some interest with other shades of green and shading in the flower. Next time, perhaps I will. Since this was my first attempt at an Ikebana style, I didn't want to get in over my head. There were a lot of things to think about! 
I really appreciate that you took the time to be honest and give constructive criticism. I don't get that a lot, and I can really use it, especially when I'm experimenting with something new, like with this piece. I hope to have time to make another Ikebana-inspired piece, and I'll definitely work to make it more interesting.
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I figured that you'd kept it fairly simple, working with something new for the first time can get overwhelming if you try to make the most awesome thing ever first rattle out of the box. So I sorta commented with that in mind...
But yeah, I hope you find time to make more of these, this one is a very promising and beautiful start
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Wow, the detail in this is really amazing. Beautiful job!
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Really beautiful. The great thing about the beads and that they're so vibrant, and colors are a huge part of Ikebana. It conveys the idea nicely. I can see these catching on. I certainly wouldn't mind having one in my home.
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Thank you!
Do you know much about Ikebana? I haven't studied it formally, so I've just been reading books about it. I'm trying to find someone in my area who teaches the art so that I can learn more about it and see examples in real life.
The problem with selling these arrangements is that there's no way to ship them because 1) they're really heavy and 2) they easily get bent the wrong way. So I can only sell them to someone who lives close enough to transport it in a car.
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Personally I don't know too much about it, but there's a nearby Japan festival every year that always has a room full of ikebana arrangements. They're always so beautiful.
Yeah, I can see why that may be a problem. You could try selling them at a craft fair, but it looks like a ton of work, so the prices would likely be higher than craft fair folk are willing to spend.
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I will have to look for a Japanese Festival near me!
Yeah, I don't see myself selling them at craft fairs. For now, I'm basically just doing it for fun. I plan to have them displayed at the bead store I work at and perhaps also the art gallery that some of my jewelry is sold at. Even if they don't sell, at least they'll get attention from potential customers or students.
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Yeah, they seem much more of a "gallery" artisan item than a craft fair product.
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I am astonished that those long small leaves are holding up and close to each other so well Did you connect the rows somehow or does each row of beads stand on its own next to each other? The arrangment is simply beautiful!
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Thanks!
The blades of grass are each laced at least 2 times, and I reinforced each one with small stem wires that match the beads really nicely. They were a bit of a challenge, but it worked out nicely!
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I love how delicate the little leaves look, and the little random bends in the branches just gives it a nice realistic touch. Wonderful job!
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Thanks! It's hard to see in the photo, but all the leaves are twisted this way or that.
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Oooooooooooooooo Amy this is so very different work from you but it is rather wonderful
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You like? I know I typically do jewelry, but I used to only do full-size flowers. I feel like this is a return to my roots, but improved!
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yes i like it ... your very talented Amy
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