Musings...

I was thinking about how it all began....

When I was a little girl, about 8 or 9 years old, my grandmother taught me two of the skills that I now use in my work. Embroidery and beading. She taught me how to do embroidery and we would sit together and embroider pillow cases and dresser scarfs with beautiful flowers, vines and butterflies! I loved working with the needle and the colorful threads. I loved making something beautiful! The other thing that my grandmother taught me was simple bead weaving. We would string together tiny pearls and bugle beads to make bracelets. Both activities lead me into a life long love of crafting. I have done everything from knitting,crochet,cross stitch and quilting to rubber stamping and now, jewelry making. I have always been told how creative I am and I love being able to use this creativity to make beautiful things for others to enjoy.

BEADS! My main joy in life! I love beads. I love the way they look and feel! I love just having them, even if I don't use them! I am a confirmed bead hoarder! I have beads everywhere! This started when my friend Sharonanne showed me a Fire Mountain bead catalog! I couldn't stop leafing through and choosing beads I had to have! Gemstone beads, Czech fire-polished beads, silver beads, wooden beads, ceramic beads and seed beads. More beads than I had ever seen! I wanted them all! I still can't wait to get my orders and I love adding to my collection! I love holding a hank of seed beads and feeling them in my hand. I love the varied of colors and textures of beads. I love choosing beads that go well together, matching colors and themes! Can you tell that I am obsessed? I suppose that you almost have to be obsessed, if you are to be any good at jewelry design. You have to have passion for what you create or no one else will! I guess it is like any art form, you have to let it flow from inside of you. Your emotions pore out into your work!
I can't work on a piece if it doesn't speak to me. It has to feel right to my hands and my eyes. I all has to flow together or the piece gets put aside. I usually get back to these pieces at some point when they do feel right! Sometimes I just have to start over. It is most certainly a process!
And I do love the process!
Feel free to share your thought or ideas with me! I love to hear how others feel about beading! We all learn from each other!

K.C.