madelyn ricks: beaded kimonos

When potter Madelyn Ricks developed arthritis in her shoulder several years ago she looked for a different creative outlet - one that was portable and didn’t have a long learning curve. Bead weaving was a perfect fit for her and after teaching herself the peyote stitch she quickly mastered the technique.  Ricks is perhaps best known for her Kimono Series, both long and short kimonos made exclusively with Japanese Delica beads.  Each kimono boasts about 300 beads per square inch.  These days you won’t find expensive equipment in Rick’s studio - just needle, thread, beads and the hands of a skilled artisan.

ricks_royalblue

Royal Blue, back, 21″ x 16″, glass beads, stainless steel stand

ricks_royalbluefront

Royal Blue, front

ricks_orchids

E & R Orchids, back, 21″ x 16″, glass beads, stainless steel stand

ricks_iris

Irises, 21″ x 16″, glass beads, stainless steel stand

Ricks first large kimono

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  1. Sweet work, good eye Susan.

  2. jana says:

    so beautiful!

  3. jana says:

    Just went and clicked on more links to Ricks work and realized my ’so beautiful’ sounded pretty pithy :)….and yet, I don’t know what else to really say. Just phenomenal work!

  4. [...] en: Daily Art Muse. [...]

  5. WoW! What fantastic work! The patience required would be awesome!

  6. Frederick Chavez says:

    Thank you for sending images of the beadwork kimonos. They are awe inspiring and beautiful.

  7. Cheryl Kaasinen says:

    This work is so beautiful.
    Thank you for showing us that when “A door closes and a window is opened” that the result can be extraordinary.

  8. Illaya says:

    What a master, truly amazing designs and color palettes.

    I am amazed by the gifts you bring to us daily, thank you.

  9. Kathy N-V says:

    Using that many Delicas demands a significant financial investment as well as in investment in time. As a person who beaded a kimono of her own (in crystals, not Delicas), I am astonished and impressed with the perfection in Ms. Ricks beaded creations. She is truly a master of the art.

  10. [...] en: Daily Art Muse. Kimonos bordados con delicas fue publicado originalmente el 12 de Mayo de 2009 a las 7:20 pm en [...]

  11. [...] who fuse, blow, slump, lampwork, paint, etch, carve and sculpt the molten material. Posts about Madelyn Ricks’ beaded kimonos and Shayna Leib’s wall tiles both generated the most comments and offer a good [...]

  12. Dawn Wilson says:

    The kimonos are just superb my husband and I have done two each and were wondering if we would be able to purchase a pattern for each of these wonderful kimonos

    regards

  13. Jeanette Grogan says:

    Hi,I’m from Australia and I think your kimonos are exquiste. Is it possible to purchase any of your patterns.

  14. diana schowe says:

    i was also wondering if there are patterns for the kimonos that ccan be purchased

  15. Sent off to two enthusiasts, one who loves and collects kimonos, the other, creates needlepoint. And I have never forgotten the kimonos of Itchiku Kubota. Something for
    everyone!

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