Inspiration

I went through a short period of time where I was too busy to bead (gasp!). Life just gets in the way sometimes, and though I had a constant stream of ideas running through my head, maybe I didn’t have adequate inspiration to jar me out of my lull. Then I went to the most amazing Ojibwe wedding, and the bride wore some beaded earrings that were to die for – gorgeous!

So the first moment I had some free time I sat down and designed a new pair with those in mind. This is what I came up with:

My friend Audrey liked them so much I gave them to her for her birthday, and they ended up on the front page of the local newspaper! (Well, sort of...)

Anyway, I’m back on a roll with free time, and with all the fall colors I’ve got inspiration to spare.

Beading, Birding, and Books

The three Bs, my favorite things, and I do them while sitting in my favorite spot, on my favorite couch, next to the stove (I live in Minnesota), drinking my favorite drink, coffee. That doesn’t start with ‘b’ so it’s not in my title.

You may be wondering how I can read books, bead and bird at the same time. I am a little scattered, but I’m actually listening to audiobooks. They’re awesome. My kids hate it, which I think is really weird. They loved me reading to them, but maybe that was more about the cuddling and sharing.

Anyway, I am the busiest person in the whole world, and I wouldn’t have time to read if it weren’t for audiobooks, at least not anything outside of journals for work and textbooks for grad school. I used to wait till winter or spring break and then reading novels like a maniac. I couldn’t seem to carve out free time every day to sit down and read for fun.

Now I listen to novels while I’m driving, while I’m getting ready for work, and while I’m beading. Since my seat is right next to the window, and I have a perfect view of the bird feeders, I look up often to admire the birds, so technically, I’m an awesome multi-tasker even while sitting on the couch. Plus I’ve saved lots of birds who hit the windows and need some tender loving care so that the cat doesn’t eat them while they recover.

 

Right now I’m listening to Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver (also one of my favorites AND her name starts with ‘b’…just sayin’). I decided to do a search for #audiobooks and #beading on Twitter and only found one other beader, although lots of people have posted about #beads and #books. Sadly, no one is #beading and #birding or #birding while listening to #audiobooks.

Then I thought, “I wonder if there are any audiobooks on beading,” (fiction, obviously). Sure enough, there is one: Bead on Trouble: A Kitzi Camden Mystery, Book 1. I’ve only ever read one other crafting novel, and it was…not great. This one has good reviews, though, so I’m will to take the plunge. Anyone want to have a mini book club with me to listen to (or read) this book?

 

How big is your workspace?

I tend to let my work spread out and grow roots wherever I happen to be most comfortable working, so it's a constant struggle to keep the house tidy. My husband complains that I leave piles of stuff everywhere I go. 

Unfortunately, this bad habit has also rubbed off on my youngest daughter who is also a crafter. Between the two of us any given room can look like an explosion took place in [insert your favorite craft store here]. 

If I'm not beading, I'm reading and writing for grad school, which means piles of paper, books, magazines, highlighters and a laptop. When she's not making miniature clay figurines, she's sewing, painting, or drawing. Technically, she's supposed to craft in her room, but sometimes it just leaks out. 

My husband, on the other hand, is a neat freak, so you can just imagine the frustration and angst in our household when I don't reign in my mess. Contrary to what you may have heard, I am making an effort to be less...spread out. 

Last night my daughter told me a joke she'd heard. An overweight kid said to her, "I'm not fat. I'm just easy to see." Yeah...I'm not messy. I just like all my stuff to be visible. 

Anyway, I am trying to keep my beads and tools in check, and I've done that in two ways. First, I devoted a drawer to my beads and paraphernalia. Second, I use a beading tray as a mobile workspace. It slides conveniently under a dresser when I'm not beading. 

So I'm wondering how other people manage the mayhem. What does your workspace look like? How big is it? Is it a permanent space, or is it mobile? Post your comments below. Send photos to onebadbead@hotmaildotcom. 

Anyone Can Bead!

Give a child beads and string, and there's no questioning whether they can do it; they just start stringing beads! Kids jump right in and get lost in the shape, color, texture, and activity of putting beads to string, often creating random patterns just for the fun of it.

Somehow, as we grow into adults, we get caught up in the art of beading and become overly concerned with the end product. We forget to enjoy the process, which is, in itself, rewarding.

For years I didn't do anything crafty - though I longed to - because I told myself I wasn't artistic, not talented. Who would like what I made? I was outside myself looking in, judging.

What beaders discover is that none of that matters. The only questions to ask yourself are: "Do I have a desire to touch and string beads?" and then, "Can I get lost in the color, beauty and exercise of creating something - anything - with beads?"

One Bad Bead Earring Designs, 2013

Don't censor your answers. If you answer the first question with "Yes, but...," then you are censoring, judging. If something attracts you, give it a chance! Then after you've tried it you'll know if you can pass hours lost in the craft or if, after 20 minutes, you're ready to move on to something else.

I'm not the fabulous beader I hope to be one day, but I love doing it, and that's what's important. You've got to start somewhere.

I started out taking a semester-long traditional Native American beading class and rediscovered a long dormant love for beads, color, and creativity. I made losts of mistakes, tore out lots of stitches, and started over many times. But I wasn't alone.

Hummingbird, Melanie Wilson, 2013

On of the advantages to taking a class was sharing with fellow students and having an expert guide with mapped out projects. A flat fee provided all the materials, the buying of which would have felt totally overwhelming on my own, and it taught me what I needed.

That class also gave me the confidence I needed to start making beaded jewelry, to venture out on my own. I found that the support still existed, albeit online and in books and magazines. I started out following patterns until I was brave enough to make my own simple designs.

Imagine my surprise when a friend asked me to make something for her - my first special order! People love beads, so encouragement and praise are plentiful.

All you really need to get started is the desire to turn those beads over in your hands. If you find yourself wondering what it would be like to make something, take the leap. If you're like me, find a beading class, a bead shop, or a friendly beader who's willing to help out and give it a try. If you're more independent, find a free pattern online, get yourself some supplies and go for it!

There's a whole world of beading fun out there waiting for you. You can do it!