I’m jumping around with the exercises in the book and missing some out as I’ve done similar things multiple times in the past.

The goal: To explore the power of a line and the nature of a line versus a dot or shape.

Start Point:
I recently posted a comment on someone’s blog about kick-starting inspiration.
It’s a good reminder that I should just create whatever I want, whenever I want and however I want.  So, as I sat with my favourite-era books (1950s fabric designs) and reference material I was also reminded of RemPods – something I’ve researched and written about previously:

RemPods, or Pop-up Reminiscence Pods are the brainchild of Richard Ernest who presented his idea to the UK Dragons’ Den programme and received some substantial backing.  A RemPod is a room setting that can be erected in a care home/nursing home for those who suffer with dementia. They form a therapeutic and calming setting, often built with vintage items which remind the patients of a bygone era which gives them a sense of security and familiarity.

In 2015 I designed my own RemPod and created a collagraph plate and printed it in multiple colourways.  I was very much at the beginning of my printmaking journey so they aren’t great, but the idea still attracts me.  Click here to see them.

This week, as I sat mulling, my eyes fell on my (large) stash of beads – couple those with my vintage pattern books and RemPods and I was quickly visualising old-style beaded curtains; those tinkling  lengths of threaded beads, swaying in the breeze and separating kitchen from living area.

I drew something in this vein in 2014 when I was first looking at repeat patterns, wallpapers and fabric designs.

Fishing it out, I found that it perfectly represents an abstract idea of hanging lengths of beads.

I redrew it, etched it onto a solar plate and started printing.

The prints were then hand coloured, using Inktense pencils, cut, backed and laminated to create a set of bookmarks.  I’m now happily giving them to all my friends.

And all that from a little inadvertent inspiration from Michael Richards blog.
Thanks, Michael!

Resources:
Check out some fabulous RemPods at http://www.rempods.co.uk/reminiscence-pods/
http://www.91zp.me/vintage-beaded-door-curtain/vintage-beaded-door-curtain-retro-beaded-curtains-vintage-beaded-door-curtains/
http://www.etsy.com/listing/495268544/beaded-curtain-bead-curtain-bohemian
http://www.certainline.wordpress.com/