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QUEEN BEE AND SWARM

Not only was the newly minted Museum of Beadwork putting together over 500 beaded squares for their first installation but they were hosting an inaugural exhibition – “Wings and Stings”.

How fortuitous. Some time ago I made a tiny bee hive with a queen bee, accompanying drones, and flowers to sip from. It never really went anywhere and it was put aside to languish in my studio.

Along came this theme and my busy brain went into action. The beehive etc. was dismantled, 2 more hives were woven, a fantastically decorative base stitched, all pieces were reassembled into a Queen Bee diorama.

Photos sent to the Museum by the appropriate posting date and astonishingly the piece was accepted into the exhibition.

Close ups of hives.

Close up of hive by Rose Rushbrooke. Image copyright © Rose Rushbrooke.

Top view of hive by Rose Rushbrooke. Image copyright © Rose Rushbrooke.

View of hive by Rose Rushbrooke. Image copyright © Rose Rushbrooke.

This is the base before it was overshadowed by madam bee and her cohorts.

Base of Queen Bee and Swarm by Rose Rushbrooke. Image copyright © Rose Rushbrooke.

Here is a close up of Madam Bee herself. She’s a cutie.

The queen bee herself. Wooden beads covered in seed beads, wire wrapped wings, and seed bead antenna and legs. Image copyright © Rose Rushbrooke.

Close up of Queen Bee and Swarm.

Here's an overview of Queen Bee and Swarm.

Overhead view of Queen Bee and Swarm. Image copyright © Rose Rushbrooke.