2. A Beading Inspiration

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  I am constantly amazed at the wealth of creative talent out there in the world of beading. My own beading creations pale into insignificance when I come across designers such as Christina at www.goodquilhunting.com or Maryanne at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Marynikydesigns

 The above are just two of so many others I admire so if you have been left out, please don't be offended! I will be listing more designers as time allows.

Christina from goodquilhunting.com (her link is above) has used a cabochon, seed beads, bugles and small beads and she has covered a bracelet base with her design which has been sewn onto and backed with a fabric base. Each of these beads has been sewn on, one at a time, by hand.

I asked Christine what inspires her, here is her reply:

What inspires me? I have a laundry list to answer the ultimate question. I am inspired by colors and shapes, people, flora and fauna, costumes and holidays, daily mundane events, my boyfriend, other Artists, window shopping and shopping online. I am basically inspired by every day life and all that it brings. I keep my eyes open, along with my mind, and let ideas flow in and out of my head like ocean tides. Colors, moods and what I have on hand are also key to this daily journey. I do not bead just with a thread, needle and beads. I bead with passion and fury, love and hate and a roller coaster of other emotions. Grim determination and a seething desire to be accomplished and successful. Inspiration is my heart and soul.

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Another wonderful bead artist is Nancy Dale from West Townshend, Vermont in the USA.  I asked Nancy about her collar (below) and her reply is below the picture.  Interestingly, this is the best part about creating something from a nutmeg of an idea, as Nancy said "It grew all by itself".  This is the most exciting and satisfying part about beading.  Anyway, read what Nancy says ... she explains it better than me!

I LOVE trees.  I have always thought they were just the most beautiful things in nature.  I have spent years drawing them, writing about them, and beading them.  I was drawn to a pendant made of polymer clay by Chris Kapono, the artist who owns MandarinMoon on Etsy, and of course it was a leaf!  After asking Chris if it would be ok to remove the bail and use it as a cabochon, I had the idea for a collar, and asked her if she would make me some more of her gorgeous leaves, and she very kindly agreed.  The original sketch of the collar was quite different than the finished product - it grew all by itself. It took two months to bead.  And it was a wonderful journey!!

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YIPPEE!  I am now going to show the work of a stunning beader --- HERE IN THE UK!  YEA!!

Peter Sewell is someone I follow on Facebook not only because his beadwork is stunning but also beause he is a man and I wondered if a man would create jewellery with a difference.  He does create with a difference - and it's fabulous!

When I look at Peter's work I see designs that are almost architectural in construction.  His working process is fundamentally intricate in the sense of its creation, and yet the complexity is professionally presented as clean and simple lines - and this defines its absolute beauty.

Of this wonderful necklace, Peter writes below ... 

ARTEMIS

Named after the goddess who spent her days in the woodland with the Dryads. The mossy greens and blacks give the feeling of being deep in the forest.

The main cabochon is a 4cm x 3cm Kambaba Jasper, flanked by Swarovski Navettes in jet. I used size 11 Miyuki Delicas and size 15 Toho seedbeads for the beadwork. The necklace is St Petersburg weave, and the fastening is another beaded Kambaba Jasper and loop.

I made this specifically for Nina, as a present for the anniversary of our first meeting 19 years ago. Fortunately, I managed to finish it in time!

 Another of Peter's designs.

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Trudy is from the Netherlands and I have chosen a wonderful Turquoise collar/necklace as an example of bead art. 

The beads and turquoise colours work perfectly together and Trudy has aligned sections of beads as well as applied them in single form.  I really love this necklace! here is what Trudy says about it.

of Snow Queen, Maryanne says:

My most recent neckpiece - again based on a themed challenge - "White Witch". My inspiration for this piece was the White Witch of Narnia, and this neckpiece is cold and icy, just like her. The centrepiece is a gorgeous milky white Crystal Quartz surrounded by clear Crystal Quartz and Aquamarine chips, with white and clear seedies. To add sparkle there's a smattering of Swarovski Crystals. Rock Crystal Quartz nuggets and Aquamarine chips make up the necklace piece. This is such a tactile piece and looks just like ice crystals forming.

And of Burlesque Night, Maryanne says:

This is one (and there are many) of my most favourite pieces. Made as part of a themed Challenge - "Burlesque", I was that inspired by the theme that I managed to complete it in one day. I've been wanting to use lace in my designs for a while now and when this challenge came up I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The focal is a large Black Onyx cabochon surrounded by black and red AB seed beads, and Czech Fire Polished beads. The black lace motifs have been beaded with Czech FPs, Czech flowers, and seed beads, and sewn onto red ultrasuede to accentuate the pattern. I've had so many ooohh ahhhh comments when people have seen in real life.

You can also see Maryanne's work here.

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