beads are the new pixels

Recently I've been all about the bead loom.

A year (or two?) ago, I created designs for beaded bracelets based on old school arcade video games. But for various reasons (other projects, procrastination, work, life) I hadn't got round to making more than a couple of each. I think projects are often like books: sometimes you pick up a novel and just can't get past the first page, but then you'll pick up the same novel six months later and just devour it.

And now is the time for devouring. Suddenly, I have a small stack of Space Invaders and Pac-Man beaded bracelets. Beads are the new pixels. Or is it that beads are analog pixels? Hmm.

Here's a sneak peek:



I just have to sew in all the ends... which takes forever. Hopefully I won't take another couple of years to finish this time.

If you're a big arcade fan, check out this video of human Space Invaders. Take that, human chess!

Oh My!

Hi there. Welcome to Lions Tigers Pears!

I am very excited to move in here, into my new blog-home. Let's get to know each other, shall we? I'll start by answering some questions about what the heck is going on here.

What is Lions Tigers Pears?
Lions Tigers Pears is a home for some of my creative endeavours.

What kind of endeavours are we talking about here?
Lots of stuff. I like to learn how to make and do new things, and to explore and experiment with different mediums. So I end up doing a lot of different things. I sew, I knit (a little), I'd like to learn to crochet. I make toys (mostly plush softies). I own a sweet button maker. I've also painted furniture, made lightboxes and a coat rack. I draw. I design. I'm a maker.

What's with the name, Lions Tigers Pears? Is this all about circuses and fruit?
I wish! That sounds like fun. But no. Sorry.

Isn't it supposed to be "bread and circuses", anyway - not "fruit and circuses"?
I also like bread - especially freshly baked homemade bread - but no. As I mentioned, sadly, there's no circus connection.

So if there's not going to be a circus, what's going to happen here?
I'd like share some of my creative adventures here - things I'm working on, things I've done, things I'd like to do. I'm going to start an Etsy shop very soon, and also have booths at some craft shows this fall, so this is also a place to share info on that. Basically, I'd like Lions Tigers Pears to be the HQ for some of my projects.

Where else are you online?
I co-host the blog Magpie and Cake with my lovely friend Lindsay. There, we talk mostly about delicious goings-on and discoveries in the world of craft, as well the worlds of design and art - often combinations and hybrids of all three. We also talk a little about music and other wonders.

I started the Eye:Hand Coordination Project over on flickr, which is a self-portait game, squared: you take a photo of yourself, then draw of picture of that photo. Here are instructions on how to play. I'd love for you to participate, too! (Yes, I'm talking to you!)

I also have a personal blog, which has been going on and off since 2000. And, of course, I love flickr.

Where are you offline?
I've lived in four different provinces, but am now located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I love the mountains and the ocean and the forests. The rain, not so much.

Tell me something you can do.
I can do the splits. I worked really hard in rhythmic gymnastics classes when I was a kid to accomplish this.

Tell me something you can't do.
I can't run or jog worth beans. Oh, lungs.

Do you have anything else to add about Lions Tigers Pears?
Roar roar yum. I hope we have fun.