[necklaces made by the beading group earlier this month]
Phoebe knows how to reduce me to a jellified, helpless mass of laughter very easily. All she has to do as we leave the house to go somewhere very mundane (school bus stop, supermarket) is to leap into the car, slam the door, and shout, 'All units, go, go, go!' and I am barely able to put the key in the ignition. I'd be hopeless in a real emergency situation.
[Marilyn's necklaces]
But I urge you to go, go, go to West Dean for any courses taught by Marilyn Phipps. Like Julie Arkell and Janet Bolton, she is a brilliant, creative, and inspirational artist, and an equally inspirational teacher. She is a genius with colour and everything she makes exudes personality and charm. She is teaching a beading weekend in November, and even the most tentative would-be beaders will make something beautiful. I know, because Marilyn was 'Miss' at the recent beading weekend I wrote about here. The thing about Marilyn, whom I've known for 13 years, is that she lives the life creative, so everything she does is infused with the same colourful, can-do vitality.
Go, go, go.
[Marilyn's photos]
Those are lovely! But it's a little far for me...
Posted by: Lisa G. | September 20, 2011 at 13:54
How very lovely!! I can just imagine my daughter doing something very similar. What a beautiful snapshot of your life and your daughter's character!
Posted by: Susie | September 20, 2011 at 14:37
They are very lovely.
Posted by: A Trifle Rushed | September 20, 2011 at 14:38
Hi Jane,
What a delight to have children that makes you laugh. I also love the beautiful beading.
Ingrid xx
Posted by: Ingrid | September 20, 2011 at 15:23
Sadly too far for me also - the necklaces look incredible as a group! I would wear them all at once.
Posted by: patty | September 20, 2011 at 16:17
I enjoyed a fantastic workshop run by Julie Arkell at the Stroud textile festival a couple of years ago. A real treat to meet someone as creative and inspirational.
Posted by: Janice | September 20, 2011 at 17:32
I can only agree with everything you've said about Marilyn! She's worth the journey, without a doubt....x
Posted by: Claudia | September 20, 2011 at 19:29
I am stabbing at my dearest iPad in sheer frustration that West Dean is so far away - it has been recommended before for other delectable courses too.
Lovely, lovely, covetable bead work. Sigh.
Posted by: Felicity Bevan | September 20, 2011 at 21:08
they look great
Posted by: kaylovesvintage | September 20, 2011 at 21:52
The second photo looks like a lovely stack of beautiful plaid fabrics. And the first photo reminds me of the stripey knitted clothes hangers in your knitting book. So pretty!
Posted by: cathleen | September 20, 2011 at 22:16
The beading looks wonderful.
Just looked at what you are reading and wonder if you have read The Paper Garden: Mrs Delany Begins Her Life... by Molly Peacock yet? Think you would really enjoy it. I finished it just before our trip to England in April and was rewarded with a view of one of her groundbreaking pictures at The British Museum- I think I made a lot of noise when I encountered it!
Cheers
Posted by: Deby from Canada | September 21, 2011 at 00:06
How delightful! I want them all - and I agree with Patty: I'd be tempted to wear them all at once. How could you ever decide which one to wear if you were limited to just one???
I think Phoebe needs to tell Marilyn to go, go, go get on an airplane and bring her treasures to the US (southeastern Pennsylvania, please). he, he!
To those of you in the proximity of West Dean, I hope you will be able to indulge in Marilyn's course. It looks as though it will be a real treat.
Posted by: Linda, knitting on circular needles | September 21, 2011 at 07:51
Perhaps you should have a family motto for departures?
Brockets, let's rocket!
All units go, go, go!
: )
Posted by: Laura | September 21, 2011 at 20:12
I love it...I am having visions of the Brocket family in some "The Bill" like scramble...all units...
Posted by: Emily | September 23, 2011 at 02:29