Maggies Musings

An Interview with Heidi Kummli

maggieroschyk — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:41:00 GMT

I’m mixing things up a bit here on Maggie’s Musings. Lately, I have been noticing that a lot of beaders are interested in what’s going on in other beaders’ studios or work tables. I plan on interviewing different seed bead artists and, just for kicks, throw in some polymer and metal artists, just to keep things well rounded.

I always tell my children to "aim high" so I thought I would kick off this series with one of the most amazing seed bead artists around – Heidi Kummli, who was profiled in the October issue of Bead&Button. Read on and delight in the open and giving nature of this artist. Heidi mentions her newest book that she is writing, "The Spirit of Bead Embroidery." It doesn’t take a clairvoyant to predict that this will be a beading best-seller.

Heidi, this is awesome to have you be a part of this. Here goes:

1. Jewelry artists are really into their tools. As a seed bead artist, is there a tool, gizmo or gadget that has permanent residency on your bead tray?

I would have to say my hole reamer which is made from a cork with a large embroidery needle stuck in one end. I use it to take out unwanted knots, punch holes in leather or suede, break beads. My other can't-do-without tool is the bead scoop. This saves me so much time after a project when I’m cleaning up.

2. When is your most creative time of the day?

Morning is the best time for me to get work done and, if time allows, be creative. The husband leaves for work, my son is off for school, and I have the day to bead. I love it.

3. Has your work changed or evolved through the years? If so, what has changed?

I hope so! Have you ever looked at something you did years ago and thought "Wow I made that?" Thank goodness I have improved. I feel my work has gotten more 3- dimensional I like looking for challenging components that I can somehow incorporate into a piece. I also want my work to have a healing aspect to it by using natural stones and animals that will bring about harmony.

4. What is your coping strategy for pushing through and finishing larger necklaces or other projects? Do you reward yourself?

If I have a large piece or a large order, a good way to stay in that moment and push through is listening to a good book or inspirational CD. I have listened to so many good books while beading and, yes, I always reward myself with a good walk after a project. Also, just the sense of accomplishment is reward in itself. I enjoy looking at what I made and knowing I brought something beautiful into the world.

5. Lately, I find myself looking at the clean, structural lines of the Art Deco period. What is your latest obsession or fascination? Can you send a picture of something that is currently inspiring you and your work?

I have always been inspired by what life sends my way and recently it was a white hummingbird. I know I know I have done hummingbirds before but this one was special and will be a project for my new book coming out in September 2012. You’ll have to get the book to see and read more about it.

This is just a tease!

New ideas from my bead studio

maggieroschyk — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:40:00 GMT

Hi there, beady friends! It’s been a while since my last post, but really, I have a good reason for my absence – I have been writing a book all about ….you guessed it, BEADS. Here’s a link so that you can see what I’ve been up to, click on the title Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry .

I’m back now, but I’m changing "Maggie’s Musings" a bit because writing the book on beading has changed me. Going forward, I will be blogging from my studio beading table, sharing with you what I’m working on and showing you new fascinating products and beads. I’ll also be interviewing bead artists and asking all those questions that you would ask if you were able to sit down at a beading table with them.

For this first new post, I want to share a product called Silver Silk that I found at the Bead&Button Show. It’s a mesh chain that is available in a wide variety of metallic finishes and styles. I heard a lot of people buzzing about this product, but as a hardcore seed beader, I wasn’t sure to do with these lengths of knitted mesh. Please give me a needle, thread and seed beads! Pondering it, I was impressed by the fluid and supple nature of the Silver Silk. It really does curve to a shape without buckling or folding back on itself. I purchased three pieces of Silver Silk; a silver mesh rope with a length of ball chain inside the rope, and two pieces of flat mesh in burnished gold and black. The black mesh iss dramatic and dressy looking and as inspiration crept over me, I began to sketch out an idea for earrings to wear with a simple little black dress.

Sparkly is a good thing – this is what all the Swarovski ambassadors are telling me, so a selection of Swarovski sew-ons were invited to my Noir Earring Party.At my local bead store, I found some dark pewter bails that would look lovely with the black mesh.

Here’s how I made the Noir earrings, which are fairly large. I’m vertically challenged so I over-compensate by wearing large jewelry. Just ask me about my Wonder Woman cuffs!

Materials

10 in. Silver Silk flat mesh, black

Black crystal loch rosen or sew-on crystals in two sizes, 8mm and 4mm

Gray opal crystal sew-on crystals size 4mm

Tiny size 15 seed beads

Nylon-jaw pliers

Chainnose pliers

Fireline or Wildfire beadgin thread, 6 lb. test

Beading needles, #12

Wire cutters

1. Using wire cutters, cut 5 in. of Silver Silk flat mesh. The Silver Silk mesh cuts very easily.

2. Slip both ends of the mesh into a bail, making sure that the mesh isn’t twisted. With nylon-jawed pliers, gently close the open end of the bail onto the mesh.

3. Now that the Noir Ribbons (that’s what I’m calling them now) are connected into the bail ends, let the blinging begin! First, place the crystals onto the mesh as desired and play around with the design until you are satified. Thread a needle onto approximately 1 ft. of Fireline or Wildfire, and attach a stop bead near the end. Sew up through the mesh where you want to attach your first crystal. Pick up a crystal sew-on and a size 15 seed bead and pass pack down through the crystal. Pass the needle on through the mesh from front to back and then come up through it from back to front where you want to attach the next crystal. That’s all there is to it - keep embellishing to your heart’s content.

This is a very simple technique and my earrings were quick to make. That’s good for me because I have other bead show treasures that are calling my name.

Stay tuned and please leave me a comment.

Bead Dreams - it's that time of year!

maggieroschyk — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:13:00 GMT

We interrupt your originally scheduled holiday madness to bring you BEAD DREAMS!

Oh yeah, it’s time.

The holidays are so hectic, I could easily keep two of me very busy. In the midst of all this holiday frivolity, the good folks at the Bead&Button Show have thrown open the gates to Bead Dreams 2011 and posted the application online EARLY!

Bead Dreams. The words alone bring to mind glittering, jaw-dropping creations by artists from around the world. Every year, I take in the extraordinary display of these treasures and wonder, how can the next year’s entries top these? It happens though, and every year Bead Dreams is the top exhibition of its kind in the world.

Let’s talk about what Bead Dreams means to you. Bead Dreams represents a juried collection of the best of contemporary work in our field. Here is a link to the online gallery to prove it. It showcases incredible work from superstars and unknowns.

Bead Dream judges are looking for pieces that represent the artist’s individual identity in nine different categories: Handmade buttons or beads, wirework, lampwork/glass, polymer clay, beaded objects or accessories, seed bead jewelry, crystal jewelry, finished jewelry, and metal clay. Consider entering one of your beautiful creations. Just because your work has not yet been recognized is no reason to keep it under wraps. What do you have to lose? Not a thing!

Perhaps you are an as-yet undiscovered artist. Maybe you entered Bead Dreams in the past and were disappointed that your work was not selected from the hundreds of submissions. If you really think about it, neither of these concerns is relevant in 2011. It is a brand-new year, a brand-new competition, a brand-new creative life.

You have until midnight April 5, 2011 to enter, and that is four months from now! Or, as a dry run, submit your work to Bead&Button for the Your Work section or for publication as a step-by-step project. And what have you got to lose by doing this, as well? Nothing at all.

If you do decide to enter Bead Dreams, think carefully about the following.

Push yourself

Here’s the scenario. You follow all the advice given in Maggie’s Musings. (Okay, you can get some more advice from other people, too, I suppose….) Your ideas become sketches. Your sketches become samples. After a few trips to gather supplies, your samples take on a life of their own. You put hours into your new design, perfecting design and color choices and techniques. You test your concepts over and over. Friends and family members are in awe. When you step back and examine your finished creation objectively, you think, "This is worthy of Bead Dreams."

Some things to consider

The Bead&Button Show is truly international. More than 10,000 visitors see the Bead Dreams display. People post pictures of their favorite creations on the Internet. BeadAndButton.com posts pictures of the finalists’ work that are also viewed thousands and thousands of times online. That’s a lot of people seeing your magnificent beaded creation if you are a finalist.

But wait, there’s more.

Are you thinking about furthering your career in beadwork design? Think about this: Bead Dreams finalists garner a lot of attention and it’s not just from people going to the show. Book and magazine publishers are always on the lookout for new talent. The Bead Dreams sponsors pay attention to the winners and may want to feature their work in advertisements, shows, or classes.

Do you also teach? Bead store owners will definitely be interested in having a finalist in Bead Dreams teach classes at their shops. Name recognition — can’t do without it!

How about selling your work? Would you like to sell your creations in galleries and high-end boutiques? Gallery owners will certainly take notice when "Bead Dreams finalist" is listed on your resume. It’s an incredible stamp of approval that can be used to your advantage. Want to be known as a designer or are you interested in selling kits? Again, name recognition coming from thousands of people seeing your work cannot be overrated.

Are you ready to enter your piece into a competition? Just thinking about entering Bead Dreams is thrilling and nerve-wracking. Before the doubts and insecurities swing into full force, take some time to examine your work and ask yourself these questions:

Is it your best? Personally speaking, one of my favorite beaded necklaces was for Convergence, a 2009 competition by the International Society of Glass Beadmakers and Bead&Button magazine. I had a vision of what I wanted to create, yet, I ripped apart many samples of beadwork before I got what I wanted. Working against deadline and growing feelings of insecurity didn’t help my creativity. I kept beading, refusing to give up. I soldiered on until that magic moment when I knew that I had given the necklace my best efforts.

Is it unique? Make sure that you are presenting work that is totally your own in the combination of beautiful materials, masterful techniques, and awe-inspiring aesthetics. Your work should express your "voice" as an artist.

Is it well-made? Let your craftsmanship shine through! Make sure your beadwork has no unsightly threads, your lampwork has no bubbles, your metalwork is seamless, your polymer clay is finely blended … Don’t assume that that one little flaw will go unnoticed. It will be worth it to start over if you have to — you will sleep well later and respect yourself in the morning!

Are your ready for the limelight? Applying to enter Bead Dreams means that your fabulous work will need to be juried in, because it is a competition after all. You need to be prepared to have your work critiqued by others. Judges will examine your work with criteria that must be met.

If you’re ready to do the above, you’re ready to enter your work in Bead Dreams! Do your best, fill out the online application, upload sharply-focused, complete and close-up photos of your work on white backgrounds, and smile! You just joined the Bead Dreams club. The best thing is, you have the exact same chance of becoming a finalist as anyone else who enters.

I can't end this blog without commenting on Sherry Serafini's beyond gorgeous necklace titled "Dance of the Peacock". It was awarded 2nd place in Finished Jewelry in Bead Dreams 2010.

Beading with peanuts and butterflies? Yes, please!

maggieroschyk — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:29:00 GMT

Let’s jump right in to my latest blog. I’m a little behind on blogging, but not without a good excuse. Lately, I’ve become even more involved with the Loose Bead Society (LBS) in Milwaukee, Wis., and was on a committee to coordinate a bead show and sale. The sale is four days long and a lot of details are involved. The LBS paired with the Wisconsin Handweaver’s Guild, and together, beautiful woven textiles and jewelry made for a stellar show. My contribution to the show and sale were beading demonstrations every day and a couple of Starbuck’s runs. I wanted to show attendees why farfalle/bowtie are so wonderful to bead with.
First of all, let’s cover a little background on these beads. In my last blog, I talked about the farfalle aka bowtie beads that I received from York Beads, a Czech bead importer. But I’ve also heard that there is a Matsuno bead version coming onto the market called peanut or butterfly beads. So I decided to call Beki Haley, owner of Whim Beads in lovely Cotati, Calif. Beki is a very friendly bead purveyor and has a huge wonderland of beads for sale at the Bead&Button Show here in Milwaukee in addition to her bead shop and online website beads. I knew that Beki would have reliable information about these new beads. Of course she did, and now I’m going to share what I learned with you, my precious readers. So here goes.
The peanut or butterfly beads are the same shape as the farfalle/bowtie beads but are ever so slightly smaller. The peanuts are 2 x 4 mm and that begs my next question. What about the size difference regarding designing jewelry? Well, I would caution against mixing the Czech and the Japanese beads in beading stitches that require consistent bead sizes. However, there are stitches in which size consistency isn’t a big deal and the two types can be mixed together.
Beki is stocking 101 (wow) colors of the 2 x 4mm peanut beads and some of the colors are only being offered in these beads. The finishes should wear well, as they are made by Matsuno Beads.
I can’t resist the siren’s call of new beads, so I ordered peanut beads in various colors for the LBS show and sale. The timing couldn’t have been better! The beads arrived in time for the show, where I set up a demonstration beading table with my bounty of farfalle/bowtie and peanut/butterfly beads. They looked glorious spread out on the table, and people were definitely interested in the different shapes of the beads.

During my demonstration, I asked other LBS members to test drive the new beads. Needles were threaded and away we went, beading up samples of stitches to see what kind of magic the beads could produce.
Kathy Willmering was very adventurous and dove right in, stitching a tubular herringbone sample using the peanut beads in a luscious blue iris matte color. Kathy was concerned that the shape of the bead would prevent the stitches from lining up. Much to her surprise, the little bulbous ends of the peanut beads stacked right up and resulted in a very dense herringbone rope. Judy Markworth wanted to try right-angle-weave stitching and she chose the glowing burgundy, bronze matte colored peanut beads. Judy loved the way the beads interlock together.
In my opinion, right-angle-weave stitch using the peanut beads is so wonderful because all the beads line up and it’s a breeze to maintain a consistent weave. Well, Judy loved the peanut and farfalle beads so much that she left the show and drove to Eclectica Beads and bought hanks of them in several colors. The next day, Judy proudly showed me a lovely bracelet she had made during the evening. I was quite impressed.
I thought I would try stitching the farfalle beads in a spiral rope. I used a size 8 bead for the central core and farfalle beads for the outside loops. My stitching resulted in a nice, fat spiral rope with the farfalle beads giving this stitch a lot of texture.
For my last experiment, I wanted to try mixing size 11 seed beads with the farfalle beads. Tubular netting seemed to be the way to go and I started stitching away. In the past, I’ve beaded lengths of tubular netting and keeping a consistent tension was challenging. To my relief, the farfalle beads locked right in with the size 11 seed beads and it was smooth beading.
All I can say is, I hope you try these new beads — they’re amazing. Ask your local bead shop owner if she plans to stock these lil’ beauties. If you can’t find them locally, there are online sources with plenty of color choices.
Let’s keep this conversation going!

Post your comments and please, puhl-eeeze, send pictures of what you have made using these beads.

Share your experience and tips with all of us!
Hmmm, I wonder if I can use them in bead embroidery?

Farfalle — it’s not only pasta

maggieroschyk — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:44:00 GMT

Today, the bead du jour is bowtie beads. Farfalle, bowtie — whatever you want to call it — this shape of bead should be added to your bead menu.

Last week, while in the garment district in Manhattan, I wandered into one of my favorite bead stores: York Beads. As you know, I am a lover of all Czech beads and this shop takes my breath away with its selection of Czech beads. While talking to the owner, Perry Bookstein, my little beady eyes spied hank after hank of farfalle seed beads. I put several hanks in my basket, choosing my favorite colors. This was serendipitous, of course, because in my last blog I left off writing with a teaser about these beauties. Now, let me say that these aren’t hot-out-of-the-bead-factory new. They’ve been out for a while but I’m wondering if beaders have been tiptoeing around these beads, not sure how to use them. In my own case, once I returned home I experimented with the beads to fully appreciate their quirky shape.

The colors in my hank have a luster finish applied to a mix of amethyst, pale blue, shimmery peach, and a light gold. Whenever I make swatches of beadwork to test new ideas or stitches, I always use colors I love. I could be beading up the most amazing stitch and not care for it if the colors are “wrong.” Weird, but that’s just how I roll.

Back to bowtie beading. My first impression of bowtie beads was that they would be incredible for simple stringing because of their texture. But, of course, I wanted to use them in stitches. I started a simple band of peyote stitch four bowtie beads wide — not too fancy. Wow, was I surprised. The band was really sweet. The fact that the bowtie beads are shaped like double-ended magatamas, or drop beads, gives these beads a deeper optical quality. The peyote band turned out to be thicker and more substantial than it would have been with round seed beads. It feels like a double layer of peyote stitch, which is amazing. The beads snug up together and the rounded ends interlock. I wondered why I hadn’t used these beads before!

Giddy with the success of the first experiment, I ventured on. Next stitch: herringbone. Truthfully, I almost talked myself out of experimenting with this stitch using bowtie beads. My cynical side kept telling me that there was no way that these beads would work using herringbone, or Ndebele, stitch. I’m not ashamed to tell you that I was wrong. The beads worked up beautifully. I started a swatch of herringbone with a simple ladder stitch using size 11 seed beads. The swatch was flat herringbone, 10 rows wide. After the first row, I switched to the bowtie beads. These beads interlock into place and are easy to work with. The herringbone band feels thicker than a strip of herringbone using size 11 seed beads, but I like that quality. If I continue stitching, using the flat herringbone stitch, I’ll have a luscious bracelet that feels strong and not the least bit flimsy.

At this point, I was downright gleeful. I rewarded myself with chocolate chips right out of the bag just to celebrate my success. After all, I would need a chocolate rush to get me through the next challenge: right-angle weave, the finicky stitch. Would the bowtie beads stitch up nicely using right-angle weave?

I had to give it a whirl and the results were … stellar! It’s been my experience that right-angle weave stitched with size 11 seed beads can be loose and difficult to keep even in appearance. The bowtie beads worked perfectly in this stitch. No beads shifted around and I had nice straight rows. Once again, the double-drop effect gave my sample a thicker feel and the drops glistened like bubbles.

I certainly will buy more of these farfalle beads. Let’s see how many more colors the Czech bead makers will add to the collection. Matte metallics — hello?

Here’s what I learned from using these sweet bowtie/farfalle beads:

Use a heavier weight of thread. The holes in the bowties are larger, more like a size 8 bead. Power Pro and Fireline thread will work marvelously. A heavier size Nymo, like size D, will work too.
Condition the thread with wax or thread conditioner.
Maintain a consistent thread tension.
Experiment with beads that you haven’t used before by making swatches using stitches that you’re familiar with.
Be fearless. Try anything new.

Now, you didn’t think that I would end this blog without reaching out to the beading community? If you have beaded up something nifty using the farfalle beads post a picture. Share your comments and pictures and let others see how you would use these beads. After all, that’s how we learn — by sharing.

What's your relationship with the creative process?

maggieroschyk — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:09:00 GMT

Everyone has the desire to create; it’s part of our DNA. People will say, “Oh, I’m not very creative or artistic.” If you talk to someone who says, “I can’t draw” you will find out that maybe her creativity lies elsewhere. I don’t have the talent or skill sets to carve wood, but I can stitch together intricate designs with tiny beads.

In my last blog, “Clearing out the creativity channels,” I received many comments about all the different things that hinder our ability to enjoy the precious craft of beading. The list included grief, insecurity, and crushing workloads inside and outside of the home. You have my empathy — life can be overwhelming at times.

Given the verities of life, how can we connect the dots between our relationship to the creative process and the challenges we face? How can we water our creativity and see the lovely beaded flowers blossom? I’m positive that the answer to these questions is on a much deeper plane, but if we can take some small steps toward dealing with the stuff of life, we can address our beading saboteurs.

The power of sharing

I have exchanged several e-mails with a new friend on Facebook who told me how hard it is to get back to beading after experiencing hardship. After several conversations, I gave my friend this suggestion: Teach what you once felt passionate about. In my own creative process, I find that teaching others, even another friend, reignites my creativity. Seriously, teaching beadwork reminds me why I love stitching with tiny beads!

My friend started to share her beading skills with a small group of people a few at a time. Lo and behold, her beading bug has returned — a testament to the power of sharing and teaching.

Fixes for burnout

Here are some quick fixes if you’re feeling burned out:

Go for a walk — just be sure and take a pencil and notebook to jot down thoughts, ideas, and designs.

Check out the merchandise in a fabric or yarn store. The color combinations and textures will get ideas fermenting in your beady brain.

Make a list of creative projects that you would like to accomplish. Try to write down things that you feel you can accomplish, not insurmountable things like scenes from the Sistine Chapel on your dining room ceiling.

Take control of the clutter. My friend Jill Erickson starts each new project by cleaning up whatever she had left over from the last project. It’s like a form of closure and tidying up the studio prepares Jill for the next project. Here are some before and after shots of Jill's studio. I like to take a few minutes — okay, sometimes a hour — and put all of my seed bead tubes back in their places, needles in their cases, and all the snippets of thread in the waste basket. I think about my new project and by the time I’m finished cleaning and putting things away, I’m revved up and ready to start stitching.

Carve out time for yourself!

Can we all agree that being creative and expressing creativity is good for our mental health? Where do we place nurturing our mental health on the tyrannical TO DO LIST? I know we all lead very busy lives. Can you promise me that you will put yourself on the list and take some time to bead, knit, quilt, or dream?

UFOs: Bane or boon to the beader’s experience?

I have heard time and time again that beaders end up with projects lying around on bead trays unfinished, taking up beads, space, and, hello, psychic energy. Personally, when I see unfinished projects every time I walk by my bead tray, I feel negativity and failure radiating from them. Resolving to do something with all the unfinished projects in your life will free up energy so that you can start new creations.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Are you a beader with piles of unfinished projects, otherwise know as UFOs? What made you lose interest in that particular project? In my own experience, seeing UFOs feels like receiving a stamp of failure. Maybe it’s time to deal with these projects and either let go of them and reclaim the beads or commit to completing them.

Creative people have an abundance of ideas and it’s a good thing to manage all those wonderful ideas. Here are some thoughts to consider when dealing with unfinished projects.

Which project really captures your imagination or you feel passionate about?

Can you pull out five unfinished projects and number them 1 to 5; with 1 being the project that you would really like to finish?

Could you take projects 4 and 5 and reclaim the beads by taking the piece apart?

Remember, working through one beading project can actually help you create the next beaded masterpiece; the creative juices will be fairly oozing.

Sample boards are a super easy way to get UFOs off of the beading tray.

Here’s how to do it. Unfinished projects can become technique swatches. If you are truly not interested in finishing a particular beadwork project, reclaim (rip it out) the beads but leave enough bead portion to show the technique used. Pin that swatch onto a bulletin board and attach a note that tells which issue of Bead&Button it came from and any other information. Notice how this UFO is no longer crying out negativity every time you walk by the bead tray. It now has a place of importance on your super-cool swatch/technique creativity board. Take the negative and turn it into a positive.

Has any of this helped you? I do care and would love to hear any comments that you would consider sharing.

Now, onto the lighthearted stuff — new beads!

Yesterday I received a box of sample of beads from York Beads. Perry Bookstein generously shared some strands of the new farfalle or bowtie seed beads. They have a different shape than regular seed beads, hence the name “bowtie.” This blog’s picture shows the lovely sparkly colors. Hmmm, what can I make with this unusual shaped bead? Check out my next blog, maybe I’ll have a little something to share with you.

Clearing Out the Creativity Channels

maggieroschyk — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:42:00 GMT

The power of subtraction

In my last blog I wrote about how stress and "the tyranny of the Now" can hinder the creative spirit. I shared my personal challenges with impending deadlines and feelings of being overwhelmed. Then I asked my good, gentle readers to post comments about their creativity blockers.

The floodgates were thrown open and the comments flowed! I posted the same request for comments on Facebook and received some very heartfelt comments. So, in this latest installment of Maggie’s Musings, let’s look at some of the comments and see what we can learn from them. (Honestly, it would be so much easier and lighthearted to write about a funny scenario at a bead store, but we need to talk about creativity.)

Let’s get right to some of the comments. Here’s one from Beki Haley, owner of Whim Beads:

"My list (sadly) is huge right now!

Too many things to get done at once, so my mind is overwhelmed. Working too many hours so by the time I get home I'm too exhausted to consider beading.

The house is a mess (read back to the too busy for my own good part) and I can't concentrate.

I know what I want to make but my studio is the aftermatch of a tornado and I can't find the supplies I need.

I'm too hungry to think.

The new puppy is getting in to everything!

The new puppy wants to play!

I need new glasses."

Okay, this pretty much sums it all up for me! Somehow it’s reassuring to hear that Beki struggles with some of the same daily serenity stealers that I do. And I know you won’t believe this, but my dog JUST NOW decided he had to go outside.

I’m back, and here’s a comment from wendyoes:

"The biggest block to my creativity is feeling like everything else has to be done before I can give myself permission to sit down and play with my beads. … Somehow, we need to put ourselves on the list of chores."

The following comment made me laugh, made me cry. Tina M. Fritz wrote on my Facebook page:

"I have a basset hound, who, as soon as I sit down to bead comes and sits and stares at me and whines which within 5 min turns to baying. I have a really busy home. Husband, kids, pets, school, and work, everything tries to steal my beading thunder."

I replied to her comment, "That hound needs to get a hobby!"

Hope Blackwell Boothe wrote this:

"Life, my part-time job, pressures of family and home, not enough hours in the day, these are all things that block me from beading. Sometimes I'd rather just go to sleep, for say... a month."

Tell me, can you relate?

These comments are just a few of the many that I rec’d and each one is personal and revealing. Please take a few minutes to read my Facebook page and the comments listed on Maggie’s Musings. Be introspective and see if you find any of your creativity saboteurs in the words and thoughts of others.

In my next blog, we’ll look for ways to get back to beading nirvana.

Thank you, a million, billion times for sharing. I’m off now to check the answering machine. Why does the phone always ring when I’m writing this blog? Sabotage!!!

Conquering the creativity saboteurs

maggieroschyk — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 22:55:00 GMT

Secrets of Highly Creative Beaders

Lately, I have found myself in a very peculiar state of mind. My last blog was right before the Bead&Button Show, when my little beady motor was revving up for the glorious revelry that is the quintessential heart of the show. I spent the week going to classes and experiencing new ideas and materials. As I walked the showroom floor over and over again, I found new things each time. At night, I went home hoarse from talking to so many old and new friends. By the end of the show, I was exhausted physically but my mind was whirling with many new ideas.

Now, you would think that after the show, I would set right all the little things in my life like laundry and get to what I do best — beading! Nope, nothing; a jillion ideas but no stitching. The bead tray was empty. I had several immediate deadlines for teaching proposals and finishing these proposals made me feel like I was on the verge of panic. I had to medicate myself with Ben & Jerry’s Superfudge Chunk just to make it through the deadlines. Desperately searching for help, I made a beeline for the nearest mall. Finding no solace in the shoe department, I wandered down to the book store and while perusing Design Motifs of Ancient Mexico, I spied a book titled The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women. I opened up the book to the chapter “Subtracting Serenity Stealers” and read a list of things that will sabotage creativity. Some of the things listed were so close to my experiences that I bought the book. When I arrived home, I placed the newly purchased book on my coffee table with bold intentions of reading it very soon. My coffee table is in the middle of my home and, I swear, I circled that book for a week as if it were a snake. Finally I said to myself, “enough of this foolishness,” and started reading the book.

Bottom line: Stress kills creativity. Expression of creativity doesn’t happen when I’m stressed out or worried about producing something. There is something to be gained from relaxing and taking a few moments to clear my mind and look around. This wonderful little book addresses the relationship we have with the creative process and how to understand one's creative style. I’m not trying to sell this book, nor do I receive any kind of kickbacks from Amazon or the author. I do recognize it as a book that challenges me and my artsy mind, though.

So I’m asking for your help. As you all know, I love the precious handicraft called beadwork. It’s been a good and trusted friend for many years and there’s still so much more to learn. However, there are times when the possibility of burnout has raised its ugly head. I had scoffed at reading a self-help book for creative women, yet, the book brought to light many issues that apply to me.

How do we sabotage our creativity when beading? What are some of the serenity stealers we face after the beading needle is threaded? What are some of the secrets of highly creative beaders?

I would love to hear some of the things that block your beading. These roadblocks can be as mundane as, “My dog seems to always need to go for a walk whenever I get some time to bead,” or as serious as, “I am anxious and exhausted.” You can send your comments to me here or, if you like, place a comment on Facebook. If I receive enough comments, I’ll compile them into a list and share them here on my blog.

What am I working on? I’m working on proposals for teaching. Let’s see if any of my wild ideas make the cut!

Pounding on steel wire?

maggieroschyk — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:42:00 GMT

Excitement is in the air, not to mention pollen (sniffle, sneeze). The Bead&Button Show is almost here and I am sooooo looking forward to seeing old friends and new beads. I’ll probably make some new friends because I’m taking two classes this year. Taking a class at the Bead&Button Show is great because you can learn a new set of skills and make acquaintances with people from all over.

My first class is Brenda Schweder’s “Maniacal Jewelry Motif Pound.” Doesn’t the title of the class alone tell you that it’s perfect for me? I’ve seen Brenda’s jewelry up close and personal and am burning to learn how to hand-forge steel wire into edgy-looking jewelry components. Brenda is going to show us how to make more than 20 wire motifs that can be used for pendants, earrings, or focal pieces.

I snicker to myself each time I read the list of supplies I need to bring. Ballpeen hammer, metal files, etc. — it sounds like I’m going to pound on steel wire like a maniac. (I could use some of that right now.) There’s still an opening for this class: Join me and let’s have some fun.

My second class is something totally unexpected. It turns out that the Bead&Button Show added some new classes, so I signed up for one of them. The highly esteemed Paula Radke will be teaching us how to use a new product on the market called GlasClay in “Introduction to GlasClay.” Paula’s class has just been added, so there are probably seats available. Do you remember me talking about it in a previous blog? Now I’m going to learn from a professional and once again I’m jumping up and down with glee at the prospect.

I’m looking forward to learning the basics of shaping GlasClay, and most important, how to fire the pieces properly in a kiln. Just think, a material that looks and feels like Play-Doh but shines like glass after it’s fired. How awesome is that? I will probably drive Paula crazy with questions about this product and I can’t wait to see and touch the class samples. I promise to try and limit my Starbucks intake that day. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t promise, but I’ll try.

Will I get to meet some of you fine folks who read my blog? I wholeheartedly hope so. Please, pleeez, if you see me, come up and say “Hi.” It’s all about meeting people and making those connections that I value!

I am only able to see art glass artist Barbara Becker Simon twice a year but every time I wander up to her booth, I know I’ll receive a warm hug and we’ll catch up on each other’s lives. Barbara’s booth is always full of incredible art glass. Her beads will go quite nicely with the wire pieces I’m going to make in “Maniacal Jewelry Motif Pound.” The same goes for Tonya Davison, owner of the fabulous purveyor of all things metal clay, Whole Lotta Whimsy. She’s now a brunette, and the love she gives is the same. Since I’m taking the GlasClay class, I’ll ask Tonya for her thoughts on making components from metal clay to complement my GlasClay pieces.

This year I will be looking for new products on the market, cruising up and down the aisles, tracking down the latest stuff. Now, of course, I’m going to share everything that I find with you, my wonderful readers, and keep Bead&Button readers informed about what’s new and now.

Thank you for letting me share my beady world with you. Comments are always welcome and help me stay connected with what you’re all doing with your beads out there.

What's in the Picture?

I decided to take some close-up shots of my beaded cuff.

Just a little bit of eye candy for my bead embroidery lovers.

Getting Connected

maggieroschyk — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:43:00 GMT

It’s been a social whirlwind for me during the last two weeks. On Monday, I spent the evening with members of the Loose Bead Society. On Wednesday, the Rings & Things Bead Tour Truck show was in town and the beads that Kim and the crew brought to Milwaukee were stellar.

Oh, and I received the latest issue of Bead&Button magazine. I think it’s the best issue ever. I say that with a sly grin on my face because my necklace is on the cover! My little dog Rocco was a little disturbed as I jumped up and down, cackling with joy over the cover. I hope you’ll take a look at my necklace project,which was designed around a Kristen Frantzen Orr focal bead. Some of the techniques that I use for this necklace include cubic right-angle-weave, herringbone, and a unique clasp. There are also tips about using art glass focal beads, really useful info when working with lamp worked beads that come in all shapes and sizes.

Enough of my foolishness and mayhem — let’s talk about bead societies and groups and how to stay connected with other beaders.

The Milwaukee area has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the art and craft of beading. As you know, the Bead&Button Show — the biggest bead show on the planet — takes place here. The bead stores in this area are top tier, each one offering classes and incredible selection.

Beading has entered the collective consciousness of this state. You ask anyone about beading and she’ll tell you that she knows someone who has the beady addiction. If that isn’t enough, there’s the Loose Bead Society.

Whoa, hold on! When I say “bead society” don’t EVEN think that this is some lil’ group who have nothing better to do. These folks rock! Here’s some information about this dynamic bead society.

The Loose Bead Society of greater Milwaukee has approximately 150 members and is in its 11^th year. Each year it sponsors a spring weekend retreat that features beading classes along with a lot of good times and camaraderie. The LBS maintains an active website, http://www.loosebeadsociety.org/ and a Facebook page, and produces a quarterly newsletter. Recently, members worked with the Bartolotta Care-a-lotta Group to create 5,000 bracelets for Haiti relief efforts.

The society also has monthly programs, presentations, and demos featuring prominent beading instructors, metal smiths and lamp workers. A few weeks ago, LBS member Jim Kelly gave a presentation about Native American beadwork. He brought in beautiful examples of raised beadwork and shared his experiences about the Oneida and Iroquois.

On May 10th, I will be honored with the opportunity to speak to the Loose Bead Society. I’ll be presenting a slide show featuring the beadwork I have made in collaboration with Kristen Frantzen Orr. I’ll bring in the jewelry that I have so that society members can see samples of my work. My talk will focus on learning how to take beading techniques and apply these skills to designing beadwork. I’ll have a handout and questionnaire with ideas for kick starting the creativity muse. Am I a bundle of nerves? Yes, but the people in this group are really welcoming and friendly, so I’m expecting a good experience.

Gentle readers, perhaps you’re asking yourself, “Why is Maggie going on and on about the bead society in her area?” Here’s why — beading groups are a wonderful way to get connected. I ask you, how often do you bead alone? (I’m sorry, Miss Fluffybottom, the cat, doesn’t count in this instance.) Beading can be somewhat solitary, if you know what I mean. This art and craft is very personal for me and I kinda get deep into my head, so to speak, when I’m beading, and that can be isolating. Taking time to be with a part of a group of fine folks who enjoy beading is a breath of fresh air for me.

I’ve found myself hanging out in bead stores just so I can be around other beaders. And, just like going to bead society meetings and seeing old and new friends there, going to the great-big Bead&Button Show “bead shop” offers the same camaraderie. It’s like a class reunion —about beading!!

So, you’re saying, “What about me, I live in a small town?” Getting together with two or three other beading folks is an excellent place to start. Two people will soon become four people and the word will spread. Ask around, many churches, libraries, community centers have rooms that will accommodate groups. (Our group meets at a library.) You can also search for one by clicking on Societies & Guilds under the "Resources" tab. Bead societies can be structured or loose. Meetings can be once a month or whatever the group needs. It’s a great way to stay connected and enjoy the friendship with other beaders.

Time to get out and play.....with beads

maggieroschyk — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:38:00 GMT

Joy! Joy! Joy! Spring has arrived. I put away my drab wool coat and thick socks and — finally — broke out a cute pair of sandals! I have a bit of pep in my step now that I don’t have to worry about slipping on ice.
Spring is a time of renewal for me; my curious/creative muse leads me to try new things.

Last month, I attended the Art Glass and Bead Show in Madison, Wis., for the first time and I must say it’s a great show. I caught up with several longtime friends and had a great time shopping. The vendors were top tier and showed a lot of variety. I bought an assortment of beads and my daughter even won a door prize! For this blog, I'm showing you the fantastic African beads that I bought at the show. I love the ethnic, handmade feel that these beads have and they just might be the inspiration needed for some new ideas I've been working on.
I also saw Jeff Barber at the Madison show and fell for his new electroformed art glass beads. These beauties have been popular at bead shows ever since Tucson. Jeff is also making gorgeous glass cone beads, which beaders will go bananas over. (Watch for upcoming Bead&Button magazine coverage.)
Back to the topic at hand — PLAY!
During the week, I received a box containing GlasClay, a new product on the market. GlasClay is a lot like precious metal clay. It contains finely ground glass particles mixed with a binder that can be shaped like clay and then fired in a kiln.
Thrilled at the prospect of exploring a new product, I called my friend, Brenda Schweder, to see if she had heard about GlasClay. Brenda is a highly creative jewelry artist, author, and teacher and has a fabulous wardrobe. Like me, she’s a redhead, so we’re simpatico. She wrote the jewelry how-to book Vintage Redux and is teaching five classes at the Bead&Button Show that you don’t want to miss.
Brenda is intrigued by the whole GlasClay concept, so we’ve made a date for a GlasClay “play day” together. In anticipation, I’ve created a detailed list of the things that I want to accomplish on our special day, approaching this task with the seriousness of a tax accountant. There is much work to do. Designs need to be sketched. Ramping and firing schedules must be developed, tools acquired, and so on.
Later on, while scrawling PLAY WITH GLASCLAY on my calendar, I wondered if I would be able to free my mind to actually play?

Do you find it easy to playfully create? Do we sometimes lose our ability to let go and play? I worry about approaching our date with an overly determined mind but also about making a piece for my “private” (i.e. truly embarrassing first attempts) collection.
Beth Stone, author of Seed Bead Stitching and the new More Seed Bead Stitching, knows how to play with jewelry designs and beads. I just spoke with Beth recently, and she mentioned sitting down and playing with seed beads as a way of inventing new variations of old stitches. More Seed Bead Stitching is a sensory overload of bead colors combined with excellent instructions for making jewelry, so Beth’s methods work for her.
For some of us, however, letting go and playing with a handicraft that we take very seriously can be difficult.

I think some beaders train themselves to meticulously follow detailed instructions and cull imperfect seed beads in order to achieve a sense of perfection. I am guilty of taking apart many rows of work because I stitched one bead in the wrong place. Perhaps I need to put aside my lists and play!
Okay, so now that I’ve committed myself to more play “in public,” so to speak, I promise to blog about my experience with GlasClay and give you the lowdown on this new, exciting product. I’ll share the high and lows, pics included, in the next installment of Maggie’s Musings.

‘Til then, let’s all go play with our beads!

Maggie's free Celtic beadwork pattern

Ann Dee Allen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:21:00 GMT

By Maggie Roschyk

January 1^st may be the official start of the new year, but my new year starts when the majority of the snow melts off the deck in my backyard. The lawn becomes visible and I can see green shoots bravely poking through the soil. So, in honor of these green shoots and St. Patrick's Day, I'm giving away this free Celtic beadwork pattern ... to you, yes YOU! (Click on the text link, and then click on the image you see next to enlarge the pattern).

The pattern is the result of a new obsession. I have been playing around with beading software and, let me warn you, it’s addictive. I can scan in royalty-free clip art onto a loom, peyote, or RAW chart. After that, the fun begins by manipulating the chart, changing bead colors, and rotating the picture. After saving the pattern, I can print the chart, post the pattern to a blog, or e-mail it to friends. Fun! I am using BeadTool 4 for the Apple computer. There are other beading software packages available.

Back to the warning: BeadTool 4 is more captivating than playing computer games. I can’t stop! Everywhere I go, I see things that could be beadwork patterns.

Now, the embarrassing thing is that I resisted buying beading software until a few months ago. Sure, I’d read articles about how easy it is to use these new-fangled computer software set-ups. I wasn’t going to listen to that siren’s call. Nope, it was good ol’ graph paper and colored pencils for me — old school all the way. And then I tried a free trial download ... and liked it. Now, on to other obsessions.

Since I’m feeling this new surge of Spring, of course, the creativity muse comes calling full force. Let’s think about other sources for ideas that can be used in beadwork. New York’s Fashion Week Frenzy is over and after looking at several Web sites and blogs that cover all things stylish, I was amazed at how strong the handicraft movement is. So many accessory designers are still giving a nod to fine handicraft and organic/unique styles.

With that in mind, I want to the explore the possibilities of using several handicraft styles from around the world. Here we go, just keep in mind that you cannot copy any design you see and sell it or teach it in any way. Look for work that is in the public domain and thus available to use for commercial purposes.

African mud cloth textile designs — Besides looking on BeadAndButton.com, Google “African mudcloth” or look for books in libraries and you will find lots of examples. The designs could be charted for loom/square or peyote stitch. The colors used in traditional African mudcloth are very inspirational. Don’t forget about bead embroidery! Diane Fitzgerald, beading superstar, found lots of good ideas in African handicrafts.

European cross-stitch designs — We’ve all seen examples of Ukrainian cross–stitch adorning handmade clothing. I need to do more research on this subject and I’m sure there’s plenty of information on the Internet. Some of the examples of European cross-stitch are intricately embroidered bodices on women’s dresses. The colors used are often primary; the designs are simple and have a charming look. This style could be easily used in looming or peyote. Bead crochet, by the way, has its origins in European handicraft and uses patterns from way back when.

Graphics by Inuit and Alaskan Native Americans — Okay, so, I’ve been obsessive lately about using my bead pattern charting software but can't forget my love affair with bead embroidery. My beading muse has been leading me down the path of looking at Inuit art. You can search online for work created by Inuit and Alaskan Native Americans. The colors used by these artists are strong and graphic. The designs depicting whales, ravens, bears, and salmon are bold and beautiful in their simplicity. There are several royalty-free clip art books with Inuit graphics available. I can see designing neck pieces using a combination of bead embroidery and looming layered over leather.

Oh, my! I need to get out my Big Idea sketchbook. Looks like I’m going to be very busy ... beading!

Everyone’s gotta start somewhere; a beader's trip down Memory Lane

maggieroschyk — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:59:00 GMT

Peyote pendant, 1982

Do you spend time reading beaders’ blogs? I admit that it’s one of my guilty pleasures. There are some fantastic beading blogs out in cyberspace. The level of talent ranges from experienced bead artists to fresh, new beadwork made by people who are just coming into this craft. Beading blogs give me insight into other artists’ creative processes. I especially enjoy seeing pictures of studios and reading beaders’ comments about keeping materials organized. Blogs that I find most delightful are written by new beaders — you know, the newly infected. They post pics of bracelets they’ve just finished with details about seed bead colors. I love reading about the feeling of accomplishment and glee that new beaders experience. They feed everyone’s enthusiasm!

Over the holidays, one of my oldest and bestest friends, Sherry C. , sent me an e-mail and a photo of a pair of beaded earrings that I had made for her long ago. I’m telling you, it was so long ago that I had forgotten making them. It truly touched my heart that after all these years, Sherry still has these earrings. I took a few moments and looked closely at those earrings. They reeled me back in as I thought about their simplicity. Searching for a lesson in these simple earrings, I concluded that in beading (or any other craft), we all start somewhere.

Lessons learned from an old pair of earrings

In my bead stash, I have a couple of small, plastic containers that contain bits and remnants of old bead work and beads from the ’70s. When I was a child, my momma owned a small craft store in the little Arizona town where I grew up. I still have some seed beads from that store, along with old bead work. As I pulled our these tangled bits and pieces, I realized that the beaders of 2010 have an embarrassment of riches.

Beaders have access to the finest beads made

Looking at the beads that were available 30 years ago, well, the quality was … awful. Seed beads sold in craft stores usually came from Taiwan and were cheaply made with finishes that rubbed off and faded. Culling through beads to remove all the poorly shaped ones could become a past time in itself. If I wanted to find quality seed beads, I had to travel to the San Carlos Apache Tribe reservation trading post. The tribal store sold beautiful Czech charlottes on hanks, but only in a few colors. I could not even dream of the colors that we now have. Just think about the abundance of beads sold by Beyond Beadery!

Technology gives beaders incredible threads and beading cable

My old bead work was stitched with heavy, white nylon thread. Using beeswax to coat the thread was absolutely necessary because the thread shredded horribly on the sharp, irregular seed beads.

Here’s a true story: Beaders used waxed dental floss for thread when nylon thread wasn’t available. The up side to this is that the bead work had a fresh minty scent!

Beaders have so many learning resources

The picture for this blog shows a peyote pendant that I made decades ago. I had learned peyote stitch and was just figuring out how to increase and decrease. Back then, there weren’t any beading magazines or books; you just had to figure out what you were doing on your own. Think about the vast amount of information about beading that we have available now. No wonder beading is so popular!

Stores filled with Swarovski crystal beads — only in my dreams!

In my last blog, I talked about going to New York City and visiting the sparkling K. Gottfried store. Seeing all that Swarovski has to offer in beads is mind blowing. I would have never been able to fathom such creations when I was a young beader. In those days, I would frequent thrift stores and buy old costume jewelry. By taking apart broken costume jewelry, I was able to reclaim some crystal beads. I would have never imagined buying the strands of Swarovski double AB finish beads that I own today!

Besides thinking all of the beading resources and materials that we have available now — imagine the Internet, I mean, really! — this type of reflection feeds my soul. A “journey” into my own beading history takes me back to Arizona, my childhood and family there; the sights, scents, and sounds of the desert; and all the people I met and know. It’s the perfect place to “go” when sitting down with a needle, thread, and beautiful 21^st century beads.

One thing is for certain, I’ve got to make Sherry another pair of earrings!

Beads and the Big Apple

maggieroschyk — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:35:00 GMT

Can you believe it’s February – already?! This year is zooming by in the fast lane. Here in the bead world, things are heating up with lots of new, exciting products being brought to market by bead and component vendors, new and old alike. So it’s time to start giving my beloved blog readers the latest scoop on cool, new stuff.

As I write this latest installment of Maggie’s Musings, I’m both exhilarated and exhausted. Exhilarated because I just returned from New York City, and exhausted because I just returned from New York City! Why, you ask? Why would I be going to New York City when the rest of the beading community was swimming like salmon upstream to the glorious Tucson Bead Shows?

Well, here’s my latest news: I’ve been asked by a purse designer to create beaded embellishments for a new line of handbags. Thrilling doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about this opportunity. In order to design these bags cohesively, both fabric and beads needed to be picked out together. And where does one go for gorgeous fabrics and beads? The Garment District in New York City. Our first stop was Mood Fabrics, the very Mood Fabrics seen on the hit reality show “Project Runway.” I adore beading with leather and was looking forward to a chance to paw through suede and kidskin. At one point, I was bent over a counter strewn with leather, lost in the joy of having so many colors and finishes to choose from.

Back on the street, my travel partner, Peggy, was pointing out different businesses. I wasn’t listening attentively because there was a Starbucks Americano with two shots of espresso in my hand. But my ears perked up when I heard Peggy say “Toho.” She pointed to a storefront and there it was, the Toho Shoji store. (Insert angels singing here.) Even though it wasn’t on our itinerary, I made a beeline for it through bike messengers and taxis. The store was very well lit with everything arranged neatly. I saw several items that I hadn’t seen before, and shopping was easy due to the spaciousness and friendly staff. Definitely on my list of stores that I want to spend more time in.

Next, we were off to K. Gottfried Inc., Swarovski dealer extraordinaire. We were warmly greeted by Alex and Rita and proceeded to get down to the business of picking out colors, sizes, shapes, and finishes of crystals. Not an easy task, I might add, because K. Gottfried has sample boards with every Swarovski product that is manufactured. The unicorns and rainbows were, indeed, swirling around in my brain. Can one faint from a Swarovski overdose? I definitely felt like swooning when Rita brought out samples of the latest colors. Alex very patiently ignored all the drooling; he’s obviously seen people go whack-a-doodle over Cyclamen Opal crystal beads before.

On to York Beads, grand purveyors of Czech beads. This store is small but floor-to-ceiling packed with beads. Peggy was exhausted from hauling fabric and headed for a spot to sit down while I ran about the store grabbing hanks of Czech glass and shrieking like a child in a candy store. I WAS in a candy store, my kind of candy! I saw beads that I had only thought were some sort of urban legend.

Still, we kept to our list and walked out with some incredible accent beads. After a quick but wonderful lunch break at the Guy and Gallard deli, we headed to M & J Trimming. You might ask, what would a bead fanatic like myself need from a trim store? Lots of stuff: buttons, fancy snaps, and hooks for bracelet clasps. Something immediately caught my eye – sequins made from brass in several finishes like old gold, gunmetal, and antiqued copper. I cannot wait to use these in bead embroidery. These gleaming, metal sequins are pictured above. I have them scattered onto a piece of section of pale cream leather that has a pearlized glaze. Just placing the sequins randomly reveals such a beautiful, organic look. This is definitely inspiring. There was a huge selection of cords and lush tassels in every imaginable color. With just a little bit of beaded embellishment, cord and tassel can become an extravagant lariat necklace, and that just might be my next project.

So, there you have it, my adventure in the Big Apple. Excellent stores. Lots of dim sum at the Red Egg restaurant. Very friendly people. And now I want to hear all about YOUR latest bead adventure, big or small. Leave a comment and share with the rest of us the good vibes received in a local bead store or maybe a shopping trip to the Tucson Bead Shows. Because, as you know, it's all about beads and the camaraderie that beaders share when we’re together.

Dream a little beaded dream

maggieroschyk — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:28:00 GMT

Well, here we are, smack dab at the beginning of a new year and a new decade. Since we’re all anticipating what comes next, I wonder, where are you on the beading continuum? Are you new to our world? If so, welcome to a truly amazing and beautiful way of creating jewelry!

As we start the new year, I’d like to share some things I hope to accomplish. I’m not one for resolutions, so let’s work around that term. (After existing on a diet of Stollen and Kringle for the month of December, it’s a waste of time for me to swear off all heavily sugared, chocolated, or caffeinated goodies.) I do think January presents a golden opportunity to set goals, finish projects, and dream a little. And yes, you read that right: dream a little. I’ll get back to the dreamy part, but let’s get down to business first.

Here’s my short list of beading goals; you might find them helpful when setting your own.

Organize, organize, get it together. Do you spend more time looking for "that" tube of beads than the time it takes to make a necklace? I could write a whole article on the merits of organizing your bead stash (Bead&Button editors, hint, hint!) So ask yourself, what’s better, hunting for your crimping pliers with a crazed look OR calmly enjoying the gratification of creating jewelry? That’s an easy one. I got it! A new mantra for this year: Know thyself, know thy bead stash! By the way, I organized my hanks of beads. Check out the picture on this blog. Now, instead of hiding in a box, my hanks are visible and will make it easier when I am putting colors together.
Shop at Maggie’s Bead Store aka the pile of beads that I already own. Instead of bingeing on beads and buying duplicates, review your bead stash before going to the "other" bead stores. I tell myself that achieving this goal will be waaaay easier if I do the work and organize my bead stash. Confession time: I’ve bought the same tube of seed beads three times at different bead stores. Yes, I’m on a shame spiral. This year, I will make and keep a list of seed beads I already own. To thine own bead stash be true.
Try new colors and stitches. We all get in ruts. In 2010 I’m leaving my comfort zone for new color ways and stitches. Will I share these adventures with my talented and gracious readers? You betcha! This leads me to another worthy goal.
Learn new techniques. Are ideas for beaded creations floating around in your mind? What’s blocking you from realizing your visions? Insecure about your skills? Let me say right now, you’ve got mad skills! Honestly, look at the gallery on the BeadAndButton.com forum. You’re all very talented! But, do you need to learn new stitches in order to create a fabulous idea that has been tickling your brain? You can always attend a class at a bead show or shop. If you can come to the Midwest in June, the Bead&Button Show has more than 500 classes to choose from (really, I know, it’s amazing). Either way, pick up the latest copy of Bead&Button and I guarantee that by the time you’re finished reading it, inspiration and technical knowhow will be knocking at your door, metaphorically speaking.
Dream, contemplate, and dream some more! Do you swoon over beading around cabachons? Are you totally besotted with intricate beaded beads? Why not try to create your best work ever. I bet you’ve got some new ideas and styles whirling around in your mind right now. Is it possible to dream it and create it? Absolutely! This goal is so much better than sorting through tiny bags of fire-polished beads. Sketch your burning beaded desires and then get busy stitching! Let’s make a pact together to sketch designs and collect inspirations all year.

Did I overlook something? Should I add more goals to my list? Comments – please! Share your creativity goals with the rest of us. I love reading all the wisdom in the comments section.

Much gratitude, Maggie.