This past year has been really tricky to not only stay in business, stay encouraged, and keep creating. The obvious challenges on not being able to hold conventions, teach in person classes, and participate in art shows has left me rather “un-inspired”. For many, beading is a creative outlet and our own personal therapy. Playing with colors, creating new and intricate shapes, and interacting with others is a big part of the creative process.
When the Bead & Button Show and Bead and Button Magazine announced bankruptcy, many of us were discouraged and even a bit depressed at the loss of this great publication and annual event that bring so many of us together for the love and camaraderie in beading.
@BeadandJewellery Magazine out of the UK accepted one of my designs for publication just in time! Designing is a process for me. I like to create projects that hone in on a specific bead-stitch and then add in a few variables so the beader gets a nice wearable piece AND learns something about tension, direction, and technique.
LOCHS OF LUCK is a great beginner friendly pendant and earring set. The brick-stitch rope is a bit more advanced, but a beader with brick stitch experience or who has completed a few projects on their own will be able to work it without much trouble. I like that the project uses seed beads and crystals that are usually in nay crafters stash and easy to find at most craft shops. This is important to me. In an era when shopping isn’t easy, shops are closed, and shopping online can be difficult – I try very hard to create projects with easy to find materials that many beaders will have on hand.
LOCHS OF LUCK
A beginner friendly pendant and earring set. The brick-stitch rope is a bit more advanced, but a beader with brick stitch experience or who has completed a few projects on their own will be able to work it without much trouble. I like that the project uses seed beads and crystals that are usually in nay crafters stash and easy to find at most craft shops. This is important to me. In an era when shopping isn’t easy, shops are closed, and shopping online can be difficult – I try very hard to create projects with easy to find materials that many beaders will have on hand.
Classes available at http://arcabeadies.com/classes
Bead and Jewellery Magazine has a beautiful large format layout, with easy to follow instructions for many types of bead techniques. I love that they have so many ideas in every issue, for seed beads, shaped beads, kumi, polymer, leather and more. There’s something for everyone and great for those of us who enjoy multiple types of bead and jewelry making . Best of all, they put out 8 issues a year! There is never seems to be a lull between issues. You will also enjoy the many resources they provide, from apps, websites, and YouTube videos to books and shops carrying specialty items we drool over. You can find them at Barnes & Noble Bookstores or subscribe at http://www.beadmagazine.net
I hope you enjoy this project and give Bead & Jewellery a try. I will be holding classes for this project from February – May 2021. Take a look at http://arcabeadies.com/classes for current listings and details.
