For those of you who don’t live in Southern California, you’re really missing out. The Los Angeles County Fair was here this year from September 8th to October 1st, and its everything a fair should be! I managed to spend quite a bit of time there this year. I think it’s the last big hurrah of summer, and when its over its really autumn. Like, boom! The gates close on the last day and its instant fall. It makes me think of Charlotte’s Web and a poem in a book I had as a child called “Jill goes to the fair”. In both stories the description is the Los Angeles County Fair to a “T”. I absolutely adore it.

Although this years fair has ended, the images of some of the things I saw there are still rolling around in my mind. I don’t mean the rides, or halls full of vendors promoting and selling the latest in gadgets and gizmos, or the vast array of horribly-bad-for-you-but-I-have-to-eat-it-all food. I don’t even mean the horses, cows, ducks, sheep, chicks, pigs, and goats. Or even the water buffalo or zorse that I saw there. Yes, a zorse. Its half horse and half zebra. I also saw a zonkey there, as well. Anyway, what I keep thinking about was the grandstand hall full of art and handcrafts. There was a diverse selection of hand made items including pottery, quilts, paintings, woodworking, lace, baskets, embroidery, fiber arts and the most wonderful BEADWORK! A large section of the hall was for beading and bead making. There were demonstration tables and displays and free projects. There were beading books and magazines. And winning ribbons were glowing beside dozens of pieces!

I really took my time looking at all the finished work while my son was sleeping in the stroller. (God bless small favors.) My first impression was to be wowed! The displays were lovely. Whomever had arranged the backdrops and lighting had taken the utmost care. Colors had been carefully chosen in fabrics and boxes and frames for each piece so that there was no competition to take your eyes away from the beadwork itself. The back drops were subtle and blended into the background. The lighting illuminated each piece of artwork. And the pieces themselves were luscious. I saw necklaces, earrings, bracelets and amulets, and some non-jewelry items, also. What made it so interesting was that within each subject matter there was variety in techniques. For instance, some of the necklaces were strung pieces with pendants. I also saw a multiple strand necklace made from crazy, fuzzy fibers in a palate from soft blue to bold royal. There was a captivating wire worked piece that had swirled links that were connected with rings, and then hanging from the rings were dangles in clusters. I loved the bead-woven ropes with elaborate seed bead centerpieces. And I also loved the simple strands with a blending of shapes, sizes and colors of beads that were beautiful. One re-creation of a retro piece was a dandy. Do you see what I mean about the diversity? I can hear my college professor in my head sometimes: “Dara, the scientific fact is that it’s a necklace. The ART around the science is that it can be interpreted by any material you wish. Forget about the fact. Start thinking about the ART”. Wise advice that these artists had embodied in their work without ever attending my class. These people know what they’re doing!

Another thing I noticed was the craftsmanship of these beauties. They were meticulously made with care and precision. To quote my friend Carole Tripp, “Beading is not a speed-sport.” And I think the fabulous wire artist, Lynn Merchant, once said something in response to the question, “How long does it take to make this?”… she replied, “It takes as long as it takes.” I know all our patience levels are different, and some beaders are more instant-gratification-people, but to do your work with care and attention to detail is so important. The bead work I saw at the fair was made slowly and meticulously. It wasn’t perfect, but it was clean and smooth and they tried their best. And to strive for total perfection is ridiculous anyway. Aside from being impossible, if you want perfection then go buy a machine made piece of jewelry. I love the character that something hand made has. Just by the way I hold my pliers, my wire has a certain consistent bend and sway. My loops all have a quirk that only I can give them. Its like a signature or style and in no way a flaw.

The opportunity to visit the fair this year is gone. But here’s what I would like you to consider: share your work. Bring your pieces to places like the fair, or juried exhibitions or contests and share your art with the world. You will get recognition, exposure, acknowledgement and a sense of satisfaction to have yourself “out there”. You’ll also get ideas from others work, and an appreciation for what others are creating. You’ll be able to see people reacting and commenting on your designs. Its an opportunity for so much growth. And you can potentially get awards!

So chose a piece of work that you feel best represents your style and flair, and get it out there. Have some faith in yourself. Summon up your courage and take the leap. You may surprise yourself. And you may get a ribbon!