The Evolution of a Butterfly

I attended a meeting for my local chapter of International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB), ISGB Boston. At this meeting a call was put forth for butterflies for Beads of Courage.

As it often goes, an idea I have had rolling around in my head for some time, finally makes it to the torch. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and thought it would be easily doable. Unfortunately I was wrong. I can't believe I'm going to share this first picture with you, a pitiful outcome, not exactly the picture I saw in my head.

I think we all experience this, so this is why I am willing to share the picture of my first attempt. We see a beautiful a piece of artistry in our visions and it may take a bit of practice and experimentation before our work satisfies us and becomes a piece we can be proud of.

My first (and sad) attempt...

I quickly realized, perhaps, I was not ready for so much required detail in such a small area. So I changed my focus. I would try a butterfly wing. Hmmmm.... I was a bit more pleased with the outcome. Although not completely there.

My third attempt. My strategy was ever changing. I would try a butterfly wing, much more closely shaped to a true wing, and a slight change in color combination with acid etching of the final bead in mind.

I am pleased with the third attempt. Enough so that I will list this bead for sale in my Etsy shop. However, I still have more work to do with butterflies. I need to create some beautiful butterflies for Beads of Courage. My mind is spinning with ideas. So forward I go, ready to clarify those ideas behind the torch.