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2010 Update
In case you were wondering why there haven't been any new Dress Designs
added to my website since 2006, it’s not because I haven’t
been working (in my usual accelerated pace) but due to medical reasons
I was forced to rest my hands for two years--so I took my creativity in
new directions while they healed.
After the last Diva Fashion Show in 2006, my Design Team and I worked on
dresses for two more years (soon to be photographed). Then, in 2008 my
hands started to hurt and fall asleep on me. After such intense nonstop
use for five and a half years, in which I beaded furiously to create my
own Museum Show, and five years prior nonstop to create my Jewelry line
for Great Beads, my hands shouted "STOP!"
Beading became difficult. Up to this point, in order for me to complete
my Collections on schedule, I had been receiving deep intense physical
therapy on my hands at least two times a week. Because of these treatments
I was able to finish my Designs each Season, but as time progressed my
pain only worsened.
For 5 months I underwent several tests and doctors, who finally diagnosed
me with advanced carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition to this diagnosis,
I learned that my left thumb joint had completely collapsed during athletic
competition I had done during college--some 20 years earlier.
Through the years, large bone spurs had developed on each side of one of
the bones of my thumb and I had developed arthritis in all of my fingers.
The solution was to undergo three surgeries. The carpal tunnel in both
hands were simple surgeries and I could use my hands very shortly afterward.
But the rebuilding of the thumb—that would take at LEAST two years
of recuperation for me to be able to bead anywhere near my same caliber
again.
Never one to sit idle, I decided to go ahead and build my new International
Studio in Mexico. Two years prior to this time my husband and I had worked
on securing property in Mexico. And since I would be forced to completely
stop my beading, we figured NOW was the perfect time to go forward on building
there and allow my hands the proper time to heal. I moved to Mexico
most of the next two years in order to complete this project. I took my
same Studio Design that had proven to work great for me in the U.S. and
set it up down in Mexico.
Many Artists over the centuries have used their talents in creating
fantastic Art in many different mediums. And I found the same was true
for me. My sense of shape, color, and spatial confinements that I had
learned to master in creating my Dress and Jewelry Designs, I simply
transferred into building and creating in architecture. I worked on every
inch inside and out.
With the same energy that I used to create my Collections for Fashion
and Wedding Shows, I transferred into creating my New Studio and property,
the completion is scheduled sometime in 2011.
I am happy to announce that I am physically ready to resume my beading
projects Fall, 2010. The pain in my hand is still evident, but my mind
is clearer than ever. My current plans include the completion of the
pieces that had been created during the two years prior to my surgeries.
Plus I am thrilled to be working on my New “Stained Glass Designs” created
from real stone and vintage beads that can be lit from the inside.
After years and years of working on this idea through out the U.S.—to
make beads shine from the “inside out” through light-mannequins,
I had met with no success. In Mexico I was finally able to find an Artist
that can custom design these mannequins for me to exhibit my new works.
I am so excited because this will allow me to expand my Art Designs into
so many new areas. With the addition of my latest Designs, I finally
will have enough pieces to have my own Museum Exhibit. I guess good things
do come to those who wait (and do a HELL of A LOT of work to get there)!
Please view my New Studio by clicking on the Mexico
Studio link on GailBe.com. |
