Have You Reclaimed Your Originality?
Saturday July 12, 2008
This question has been on my mind lately, probably because I've been doing a lot of work in my studio and really looking at the beads I've acquired over the years. I wonder how many beads I've purchased just because they were new and fashionable. I have found a few not many, thank heaven, but a few that I bought and never, ever used. Some I bought thinking they would become very popular, only to have them be "old news" instantly; roses montee, those teeny 2mm cube beads, certain metal spacers - things like that.
Of course, I have an excuse for acquiring all of these beads, and that's because I must see them, and write about them, tell all of you folks about them, and make things with them.
This has led me to the conclusion, though, that, no matter my reason, my excuse, I am, in fact, a bead lemming. I have not been the first one out to try a new bead type, I have not always encouraged exploration in bead stringing options, as I have stuck to the fashionable and the, yes, predictable. Now that I realize this, of course I must begin to color outside the lines and begin using new materials including wood, paper, polymer clay, glitter, paint and more to create new from old and to embellish the lain into the fancy. And, I'll be using more and different material in this pursuit, as well, so keep an eye out for some unexpected beads in some strange places!
And share with us; what strange and unusual beads do you like to use? Are there any very popular beads that you try to avoid, just because they are popular? Post your comments here, and let's discuss this. I think it's interesting to hear what others are doing and how they break out of ruts, get out of doing the same thing over and over and what beads they have used to break the spell of the same 'ol thing. What have you done to become really original again?
Of course, I have an excuse for acquiring all of these beads, and that's because I must see them, and write about them, tell all of you folks about them, and make things with them.
This has led me to the conclusion, though, that, no matter my reason, my excuse, I am, in fact, a bead lemming. I have not been the first one out to try a new bead type, I have not always encouraged exploration in bead stringing options, as I have stuck to the fashionable and the, yes, predictable. Now that I realize this, of course I must begin to color outside the lines and begin using new materials including wood, paper, polymer clay, glitter, paint and more to create new from old and to embellish the lain into the fancy. And, I'll be using more and different material in this pursuit, as well, so keep an eye out for some unexpected beads in some strange places!
And share with us; what strange and unusual beads do you like to use? Are there any very popular beads that you try to avoid, just because they are popular? Post your comments here, and let's discuss this. I think it's interesting to hear what others are doing and how they break out of ruts, get out of doing the same thing over and over and what beads they have used to break the spell of the same 'ol thing. What have you done to become really original again?
Comments
Hi! Great ideas on the beads folks. My daughter has come up with a unique way of using beads for other then the norm. She got ahold of some of my lashing wire and made what I call garden ornaments. By twisting the wire around a broom handle (or whatever size thing you want)and a pencil my daughter made her ornament and then taking fishing line added beads (using crimp beads to hold reg beads in place)so they hang in between the twists of the wire. It looks pretty neat.I have a picture of it on my blogging site for anyone who wants to see it, at www.igocountrycrafts.com. The blog will be titled garden ornaments.
I tend to bead outside of the ‘box’. I do many traditional styles of bead work mostly off loom. I do not make what is ‘ in style ‘that is in all of the magazines since it changes from season to season and many out there jump on that band wagon….so the market is full of upto date beadwork. Not many do the ‘old time’ styles and that is what I like and our business is booming…..
What I dont like to use are bugle beads…I do not have the time to file down all of the beads to make them less rough.
I have used our orphan beads….in concrete work toss them on the top as it just begins to set and the walk way will sparlke. I have also made a time capsul with them and put them inbetween the studs of a room we were working on…then plastered the wall shut so at some time in the future, someone ripping out our studio walls they will find a newspaper, bag of beads, a one dollar bill…and a bio of us and the history of the house to date (it was built in 1840) and a bracelet that I had made.
…To get out of a rut…I go back over my years of steches and something always jump out at me and says “bead me!”
Sara
I am new to beading, so I follow the instruction to the letter and buy only what is called for in the pattern. I hope as I get more experience I will become brave and start creating my own designs
I try to bead with the color and texture of the beads in mind, as opposed to copying “trendy” items. And one of my customers has made me realize the inate beauty of the bead itself. I also make polymer beads, but have devised my own way of putting the colors together. I’ve never seen anyone else do beads like my polymers. And my beaded necklace and earrings sets are unique. My customers love the fact that they’re not going to see themselves coming and going. I try to put unusual combinations together, and I rarely use metal spacers, unless the piece really calls for it.I prefer using tiny seed beads as spacers. They give the look that knotted cord does, without the knots.
Because I like to work with natural beads, gemstone beads and Cabochons, I look for glass beads that will work well with them. I don’t usually buy the “newest” beads unless there is something about them that “calls” to me. I do quite a bit of beading around Cabs so I do limit myself to seed beads to a great extent with the more unusual beads as accents, but again, nothing new or glitzy.
I have purchased an occasional “in style” bead for something special but it has to fit with an idea I that I have in mind. Also, because I usually change most patterns I see in one of the beading magazines or on line, I do color outside the box most of the time.
I’m about 6 months new at making beaded jewelry, so am still finding my way. I have discovered that I can follow a pattern until comfortable with it, then I can modify it with my own ideas and create something that is ‘mine.’I also like to make the rolled paper strips beads to make jewelry that is uniquely mine.Love your site and all the help you give in a manner that I can understand and follow.
If a bead magazine has an irresistable pattern, I will buy the components and see what I can substitute from my stash.
But chase after the beads of the day just because? No. I cannot warm up to Swarovski. I did buy one rivoli the other day, because a local beader had a technique I wanted to try.
I’m more of a bead gatherer. If the bead says “take me home,” it probably comes home with me.
I have always done unusual things with beads…I think that’s partly because I grew up in a very bohemian household, and partly because I dont have the skills to reproduce things others do:-). That said, I do pour over bead and wire mags to get a starting point…I just end up modifying things to my own style by the time I’ve finished.
Hai, I’m new in this beading work, only 2 month ago. For a beginning I just make it for my own use, but then making jewellry using beading is fascinating me, so i make its as a hobby. I got all the materials from the supplier nearby only. Sometimes I always refer to a few books and internet for my references.
I have only started making bracelets the last couple weeks when my Pastor’s wife asked me to teach a workshop at our ladies retreat this past weekend. My hobby is dollhouse miniatures and use many beads for that, so thought I had enough of them for the project for 60+ ladies. Rapidly found out that I didn’t have enough and needed to learn the best way to keep the stretchy ones from coming apart. So between going to a bead shop for advice and online websites was able to learn what I needed to know. It went very well and interesting to see how different those at the workshop did. Hope I don’t have to do anything like that for a long time! But now know how to make some bracelets for myself. I considered myself a beadaholic, didn’t know I also was a bead lemming!
I don’t think I’ve ever lost mine–I’ve always been a quirky artist. I don’t follow fashion, recipes or most instructions! I make a lot of my focal pieces as well as other odd bits, I refuse to string stuff together, and I might as well have been a founding member of the Journal of Irreproducible Results ’cause I never can do the same thing the same way twice (except when as a scientist, I had to–I guess I’m in recoil mode now). I’m definitely HAPPIER running against the stream and that’s the whole point of beading in its purest form: joy. Our neolithic grandparents didn’t feel compelled to tediously drill beads because they wanted to “have” lots of them, or make them all the same–it meant something, and it was something they wanted to do that was of value to them, not anyone else.
Hi!
I’m not extremely experienced with beading,but I have been beading for a little while. I mostly follow patterns from magazines, but I also design my own patterns for looming. I just recently got the idea to use old, used-up gift cards on my jewelry. I simply cut the old cards up into identical shapes and punch a hole in each piece. Then I add them to bracelets. It’s a good way to recycle the plastic and a creative element to add to any piece of jewelry.
I don’t really know what you mean by the ‘in’ beads… i just take beads home that speak to me.
recently, I decided to push my creative envelope by asking a group of girlfriends to give me a colour & an adjective without telling them why. I made bracelets based on their choices - purple & overwhelmed, red and scary, green & brave were some of the combinations that I tried to create in bracelet form.
I collect bead jewelry and odd pieces at thrift shops and look for inspiration. My latest find was a 1″x3″ beaded strip for 50 cents that I wrapped around and joined to become a ring.
My proudest accomplishment has been a faux-African mask that I made out of hoarded items, a long wire bread basket, and a few new beaded pieces. I made a beaded bulb nose, using a tennis ball as a pattern. Ruby red voluptuous lips are made with 8 mm beads. Hair is a beaded belt, earrings are wire napkin rings fashioned into insects, wrapped in beads. Eyelids are beaded cork, eyes are hanging disks, the whites are a thrift shop beaded collar that spans the face. I wish I could show you a picture. It was a lot of fun to put together.
I’ve enjoying beading for a year. During that time I’ve tried things from mags and websites, as well as “my own thing”. I don’t feel like I have to incorporate really artsy materials like feathers and fabric. I make jewelry to please myself and my friends (the 50 and over crowd). I buy from local chain craft stores; whatever I can envision in a design, whatever is on sale. I’m not a lemming; I’m a practical beader.
I’m not quite sure what you mean by “in beads” like Andree said. And like her, I buy beads that really appeal to me whether I have a pattern in mind or not. I’ll find a way of using them.
If I don’t like the colour, even if it’s popular, I won’t touch it. I’m always on the lookout in 2nd hand stores for old, unusual beads or articles of jewelry I can take apart or add to for a new piece.
The shape has to appeal to me too. I rarely use square beads or anything with hard geometric shapes as more naturalistic shapes are more to my liking. I love gold findings even though silver is more popular. I use both but gold (coloured) metal goes better with some colours than silver. I refuse to use copper! I just don’t think it looks classy - reminds me too much of those copper bracelets for arthritis that many use.
Thankfully, there are so many different styles, colours, & materials that I don’t think there’s anything that’s truly outdated.
I just pick out the colours I need for that particular project, and that is all. And, I just bead what I love!
I am like a bird building a nest. I see sparkly, shiny colors. I feel the “texture and shape” of a bead and if it makes me feel good, I buy it. I have a bit of a “stash”, but am never TRULY uninspired. I make whatever color or shape or “doo dad” that the bead feels like. Kind of hard to explain. Quilters say “let the fabric speak to you” and when I first heard that I honestly thought perhaps someone’s medication level was a bit low. I understand it now though, because that is what my beads do to me.
I am like several of the others I am a complusive hoarder! Fabric, beads, old greeting cards you name it. I am thinking that I could use some of my stuff in a memory journal (scrapbook) especialy beads and lace
Jose in England