The Making of "Alice in Wonderland": A Beaded Storyline

Art has a way of emotionally connecting people. It can bring like-minded individuals together from across the globe, spark incredible friendships, and—in this case—result in one extraordinary collaboration of beaded artwork.

At the 2010 Bead Social, an annual live and silent auction held during the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an elaborate beaded collage titled Alice in Wonderland was the star of the event. This three-by-two-foot framed collage was displayed all week in the show’s main foyer before going to auction. Nancy of Michigan participated in a spirited bidding process and won the masterpiece. Later, she felt this sentimental work of art needed to be shared with the beading community, so it found its way to Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, where it remains a treasured part of the company’s collection. “I’m glad it will be seen by more people,” Nancy says.

The Alice in Wonderland project began in 2009 as the vision of 42 Russian bead artists who connected online to create “something big and beautiful.” United by their shared passion and heritage, these artists—once living in the Soviet Union and now scattered across the globe—stayed connected to their roots while discussing the Bead & Button Show. They decided to combine their talents to create and donate a spectacular piece to the Bead Social Auction, making their mark in the beading world.

The theme Alice in Wonderland was chosen because Lewis Carroll’s original book, Adventures in Wonderland, is universally known in both story and imagery. The whimsical tale evokes nostalgia across cultures, making it easy to divide into individual components for each artist—Alice, the Dodo, the Cheshire Cat, flowers and more. The theme was also timely, coinciding with the release of Tim Burton’s blockbuster film starring Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, and Helena Bonham Carter that same year.

The group selected Orna Voloh of Israel to coordinate the computer work. Each artist photographed and uploaded their piece to the website, where the group voted online to decide which would be included in the final collage. Tatiana Van Iten of Indiana, USA, was chosen to assemble the work with help from her niece, Alisa. Over the course of months, packages containing hundreds of beaded elements arrived at Tatiana’s home to be carefully incorporated into the collage. Learn more about Tatiana Van Iten in her artist story here.

Some of the artists’ stories are as remarkable as their creations.

• Grandmother Tereza Mickelson, formerly of Ames, Iowa, created the cross-stitched medallion in the lower right corner.
• Grandmother Nina Agapejev of Brazil, 97 years old at the time, contributed the yellow-and-blue bird in the top left corner. Both women emigrated after World War II.
• Anastasia, a young artist from Uzbekistan, tragically passed away at just 14 years old during the creation of the project. Remembered for her enthusiasm, her name is forever imprinted on the leaves of a beaded tree designed by Larisa Kovalevskaya of Russia. Her memory lives on through this masterpiece and in the hearts of those who helped bring it to life.

In June 2010, Alice in Wonderland was presented at the Bead & Button Show, where it was admired by hundreds at the main entrance before being auctioned at the Bead Social. The proceeds were donated to breast cancer research. As of early 2012, Chris and Stuart Freedman, co-owners of Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, proudly display Alice in Wonderland for employees and visitors from around the world.

Today, Alice in Wonderland is proudly displayed at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, where its story lives on through photographs and shared memories. This remarkable collaboration continues to inspire jewelry artists and beading enthusiasts around the world.

“We’re grateful to share this work of art with the beading community through the photos and stories we’ve preserved online, ensuring it continues to inspire artists everywhere.”

—Chris Freedman