A New Year and New Goals

Just as in 2012, I decided that I reached my design potential with bead stringing — I’ve now decided that I’ve reached my bead weaving potential and need to expand my skills. I’m planning on learning and practicing more with bead embroidery combined with bead weaving. I’m learning new stitches and more intricate designs with the goal of publishing more projects and selling in more exclusive boutiques. I’m also focusing on custom designs, so please let me know what kinds of jewelry you’d like to see!

I’m always open to suggestions!

Muriel

Repurposing Meaningful Objects into New Jewelry

Years ago my father gave me a necklace, one that I loved at the time, but after a while, it was no longer in style!  It was a beautiful and large cloisonné bead with a peacock design on a silk cord.

Once I started bead weaving, I looked through my things for anything important to me to see if I could give it an updated look.  I pulled out the pendant and thought a beaded bezel would work.

Here's how the pendant looks now...

Now all it needs is a beaded rope!  I love it!!

If you have a piece you would like reworked -- a brooch, and earring or just a bead -- contact me!  I'll come up with a solution for you and I guarantee you'll be pleased!

What is Bead Weaving?

"Got the Blues" Peyote stitch bracelet

Bead weaving is the use of seed beads (a generic term for any small bead) that are woven on a loom or off-loom by using one or a number stitches.  The techniques for bead weaving were invented long ago by Native American women for decorative adornment.  Many of the original stitches such as peyote and Cheyenne (brick stitch) are still in use today.

Off-loom bead weaving is what I use in creating my jewelry.  Seed beads combined with pearls, crystals and Czech fire-polished beads are stitched together with thread with one or two needles to create the various textures and patterns you see in my pieces — which are inspired by nature and seasonal colors.

Recently I used a combination of bead weaving and bead embroidery to create a necklace I called “Dragonfly Dreamer.”  The focal bead inspired me because the town in which I live is well known for its large variety of dragonflies.  This piece has just been published in the June/July 2018 issue of Bead & Button magazine!

I love the challenge of selecting beads, and coming up with a brand new piece of jewelry to wear or to share with you.

Beading is my happy place!