Bead Weaving is BACK Baby!

Well Show season is pretty much done for me, so like always at this time of the year, I start reflecting on what's next artistically.  

I also clean out my photo files -- and since this year I've been absolutely rotten on posting to my blog, I have a bunch of pics to catch up on.

I actually started my jewelry journey by seed bead weaving over 25 years ago, on a loom.  Then on to off loom techniques like brick stitch and peyote.

A couple of years later, I started to string, then I started to do metal working... etc.  Now my main line is recycled materials. 

During all the years I worked on weaving, and on occasion since, I've bought seed beads in multitudes of shapes and sizes.  

Nothing beats seeds beads for adding pops of color.  I miss weaving, and I seriously have 1400 + different seed beads just begging to be played with in the studio.

  

Sometime in 2013 (? ) a new wave of seed beads came out, or rather 2-hole shaped glass beads made to be used with seed beads.  

Sometime in late 2019 I had to buy a few to play with - even if I've not really done anything with weaving in over 10 years.  

I know that seems a long time to "discover" something that's been out for years, but at this point I rarely bought beads, as I only use them here and there with my Mechanical Romance line.  Once in a while I would string up some bracelets or earrings just for fun, but like seed beads, I have THOUSANDS of them in the studio.  Buying beads, when I rarely use them, is wasteful.  

 I'd stopped buying bead magazines, and when i ordered supplies it was mostly findings.  It's hard for me to resist buying beads, so I made it a point not to hit regional shows or bead stores much.  When I did, I would buy some, enjoy looking at them, maybe pop out a quick pair of earrings and then store them away. 

 In the past few years I've actually concentrated on destashing my beads, cause it's crazy even for bead-hording me to have so much "stuff" without actually using them!

So anyway, for Christmas in 2019 I bought a few Ginkos', Tila's, crescents, Super-duo's, etc to experiment with.

There are over 100 different types of these specialty beads now, btw.  Check out this link to see some pictures of the different beads available.

I adore playing with these beads!! and I have an excuse to play around with seeds again.    All the pics in the posts are pieces I've made in the last 10 or so months.  It's truly a joy to get back to where I started, but with a new twist.

 I have to hold myself back and not go too nuts on buying them, since there are seriously thousands of different 2-hole shaped beads out there, between the type, colors and finishes.  This is still a business after all.  For items I sell, I'm sticking to quick to make.  And these beads are expensive.  But I'm having sooo much fun with them, and it's such a pleasure and life is too short not to do what makes you happy.

I have had such a good year with sales this year, you can bet I'll be buying more beads to play with in the near future.  And you will see the end results in my booth!

 

 

The Picker Knows ! See me in Life-saver row case 215!

All of these are currently at Pickers!

 

So Last week I rented a case at a local antique mall, The Picker Knows .  I"m going to use 1/2 of the case to sell jewelry during the winter months when I'm show-less, and the rest to sell antiques and odds bits.  At least that's the plan.

I've been signed up on a couple of different store's waiting list, and one became open and I had a very narrow window to get it set up (read less than 24 hrs).  

it's a start.... 

Life is beyond busy and complicated right now, so I had about 2 hours to pull stuff together just to get it started... I've got more stuff rounded up and I'm taking it in tomorrow.  

 

Ready to go for the next adventure to Pickers! 

I am hoping that every couple of weeks - if not weekly! I'll visit my little store in a store and keep working on improving the display and rotating items for sale.

I'm making it a goal to keep you all posted in blog-land and Facebook.  Even if you are not looking for jewelry, jewelry jars or the "odd bits" I'll present,  you should stop by Pickers and have a look-see.  Its a very well run mall, and Jerry and I always find interesting stuff there.  

If you want to stop by and see my jewelry... I"m really easy to find! 

Turn left as you enter the building, look up, and you will see an orange Life preserver hanging from the ceiling.  That's my row ! Turn right at that orangy circle and I'm the 2nd to the last case to the right.  My case # is 215.

The big orange donut to guide your way! 

Actually this Friday would be a fine time to check it out... they are having their Annual Lamplight event 7-10pm 

they turn off the main lights, and you get to shop via lamps! How kewl is that! Some of the vendors come out in costume and candy is handed out to the kids.  Extra discounts can be had at some booths/ cases.  Jerry and I work til 6 so I doubt I will do much more than maybe a fun hat, but still.... I'm looking forward to it!