Beads Make Me Happy!

At the end of each year I have to take inventory of what beads, findings and miscellaneous I have left over so I know what I have available to start my new designs for the upcoming seasons.  I start my research on trends, styles and colors for the coming seasons and figure out what I have that will compliment, match or maybe work  before I order new stock. 

When I go back through my design ideas for the year, I usually have a few  pieces that give me a chuckle or two.  Where did that color combination come from?  Did I actually think someone would buy that?  What was I thinking when I made that?  Oh, my gosh. . .really?  I think all artists, no matter what medium they create in have a few ”what was I thinking” ideas in their closets.  

As I continue my search through numerous containers and boxes of  “bead stuff” I find my “I forgot I started this” box with its half-finished or nearly finished jewelry designs.  As I sort through this box’s contents I try to remember why I never finished a particular design.  Why didn’t I take it apart and recycle the beads?  Apparently, the design didn’t work for me at the time and I couldn’t “see” another design for the beads then. 

I usually “see” in my mind an idea or design using the color or shape of beads when I buy them.  This vision is where my design ideas come from and sometimes its just that. . .a design idea. . .an idea that didn’t work as a finished design.  I move on to new beads and “see” the next design idea.       

 As a jewelry artist, I try to learn new techniques and styles all the time.  I strive to have my work show that I am growing in my experience and my workmanship improves with practice. 

After all, there’s an endless supply of beads out there to feel and hold.  Beads make me happy!  

 

Sapphire Wire Wrap Pendant is one of my new designs in my Wire Art Jewelry line.  The 4mm sapphire fire-polish faceted beads are handwrappped on to a silver ring and the larger beads are dangling from the bail.  

 

Ruby Red Wire Wrapped Pendant is another version of the design with the addition of the beads added into the chain holding the pendant.