Laura Shea
Beadwork Artist
Laura Shea loves creating complex polyhedral structures from beads and thread. Her work explores classic geometric forms-whole and partial frame polyhedra, regular tilings and tessellations. She connects the component forms at contiguous polygonal faces to create chains and complex polyhedral structures. The open networks of tilings and frame polyhedra provide a magical space for light to play with glass.
“Coloring within the Lines (of a Sierpinski square snowflake) ”
2008, Swarovski ® crystal beads and monofilament, 6.5 " X 6.5"
Three dimensional representation of the interior of the two-dimensional outline of a Sierpinski Square Snowflake using connected bead frame truncated octahedra and great rhombicuboctahedra.
“ Pippa's Lariat ”
2008, Japanese seed beads (matte and translucent) size 11, various threads, 60 " x 2"
Three dimensional angle stitched chain of alternating color pattern dodecahedra ending in two bead combinations: one formed with a dodecahedron and truncated icosahedron encapsulated in a partial great rhombicosidodecahedron embellished with cubes and the other, with a great rhombicuboctahedron connected by cubes to truncated octahedra.
“ Heart o' Beads Necklace ”
2007, Swarovski ® crystal beads, gold charlotte beads (size 13) and
crystal fireline, 18"x 3"
Double-sided bead heart in 3-bead-per-side triangle stitch, with small double-sided heart toggle and chain of single-bead triangle stitch.
“ Add-a-Bead Truncated Icosahedra ”
2004, 22" chain, Swarovski ® crystal beads, monofilament, sterling chain
Ten color patterns of bead frame truncated icosahedra
“ Repeating Stars Mandala ”
2004, Japanese seed beads (metallic size 11) and nymo thread, 6" x 6"
Hexagonal star done in 3-bead-per-side triangle.