Expanding my Repertoire

Yep, the unthinkable is happening. I'm slowly becoming a seed-beader.

I'm not sure why I was resistant for so long. I suppose because I'd worked at Anthony Nak enough to where I only considered it "real" jewelry if it was made with chain and wire. That, and I'm just stubborn when it comes to trying new things (hey, at least I admit it!). When I started working at Nomadic, it seemed as though beaders fell into two camps: wire-workers or seed-beaders. And I was firmly ensconced in the former, to the point where it took me about 4 years to finally take the plunge with those darn seed beads.

And y'know what? I like it. I mean, sure, that darn thread gets tangled, and I'm still figuring out the patterns and such, but I'm coming to realize that many of the designs I've fantasized about can be achieved much more easily and with less hassle with a needle and thread (or Fireline) rather than all that wire and chain.

I don't think I'm going to give up on my beloved wire & chain, or even chainmail (which I also "discovered" a couple of years ago and really enjoy). I'm just expanding my repertoire. Best to know a little bit of everything, right?

Here's one of my more recent projects, made with fake pearls, size 11 seed beads, glass drops, and some little sea-green stones I had lying around:

Pretty Pretty Flowers

I went to Hobby Lobby the other day. I was good and mostly managed to restrain myself from buying stuff (other than a couple of necessaries) but that didn't stop me from happily wandering the aisles and soaking up inspiration. One of my latest kicks is flower jewelry. Silk flowers, that is. Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's, Michael's -- they all have bouquets of lovely silk flowers, so very realistic but for the lack of a fragrance, and I've been using them to make Springtime-themed necklaces and earrings (ironic, considering it's well into summer, and well above the 100-degree mark, here in Austin). Maybe I'm just yearning for those not-quite-sizzling Springtime days? Or maybe the inner girly-girl in me just likes flowers. Here's an example:



I hope other people like this sort of thing, too, because I really, really want to make more. But I promised myself I'd be good and try to use up my current silk flower batch, before I go hog-wild and acquire any more. I think it shows remarkable restraint on my part! Maybe I should avoid the craft stores for a little while, though, juuuuuust in case.

Jewelry for Gettin' Hitched

I've got wedding on the brain. No surprise, I guess, given that I'm gettin' hitched on June 13! I was more excited about making my jewelry than I ever was about getting the dress. And, given that that particular ordeal is out of the way (yay!) I'm wide open for the jewelry-making.

And since I'm all inspired, I think I'll probably just make lots of wedding jewelry, and start a little wedding line on my Etsy page. I cranked out a couple last night, and today I'm off to the hobby stores and bead stores to get more supplies.

Ahhh, I love days like this!

Hopefully I can post pictures of the finished pieces soon.