However, there’s no reason why I can’t explain how to make this spiral, because it might be just perfect for something you’ve got planned

Step by step instructions

Beads needed:
Size 6/0, 8/0, 11/0, and 15/0 seed beads

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

Websites & Blogs:
Jean Hutter
Jean Hutter Beads blog
Totally Twisted etsy shop
Totally Twisted 1000 markets shop

Jean, how do you describe your work?
My work is constantly evolving and changing. I would describe it as eclectic – a little of this and a little of that.  I enjoy beadweaving, bead embroidery, stringing and wire work.  I started with wire hence the name Totally Twisted. I don’t work with wire as much any more but I think the name still fits me. I see my work evolving to include more natural and found objects – I would also like to start using fabric in my jewelry.

What is your creative process like?
Well I usually work on one thing at a time and I like to know what I may be working on next. I have a list of things I would like to try or make and I sometimes pick from the list, other times I just jump in and see what develops from random beading – kind of like doodling with beads.  I hardly every draw out an idea or a design – just pick up the beads and go with it.  I do have some idea of what I want the finished piece to be – not that I always achieve success – I have had a necklace turn into a bracelet and vice versa.

I work on an old computer desk and I like to have lots of room to spread things out so I can mix and match. I usually work in small blocks of time – I am not a marathon beader – my eyes and back can’t take that anymore.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I am a fine artist and I paint large abstracts on canvas. I have been doing artsy things for as long as I can remember. I started looking at making jewelry about 4 years ago as a “nice little hobby”, something to do in between painting. I took some classes at my local bead store, bought a lot of books and magazines, learned beadweaving stitches, etc. My “nice little hobby” has turned into a big obsession and a room filled with all kinds and colors of beads.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
Since the majority of my work right now is beadweaving I would have to say Fireline.

What inspires you to create?
It would be hard to pinpoint what drives my need to create. Whether it be beading or painting I would describe it as a need. I love to look at nature – the colors and texture. I love fabric – colors and patterns.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
This is an interesting question as I often find myself in a creative slump. I constantly question my direction and I have had periods that I find it very difficult to bead or to paint.  The major thing that keeps me going is I know it will pass – I know my best work is to come.  I sometimes think these slumps are actually the start of a growth period or a chance to learn something new – so I just keep plugging along. Eventually I get over it and make something that I think is pretty darn good and I am happy again.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Enjoy the journey. Study, take classes, ask questions, look at other people’s work but above all keep working.  Do not compare your work to others – you are unique and your work should reflect that and above all else have fun!

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Gee I wish I could say marketing – I am good at creating, marketing not so much.  This is something I need to focus on.  I am married and have 3 cats. We have a house at the Jersey Shore and in the summer a lake house in PA.  I enjoy reading, cooking and just chilling out. Funny thing is I never get away from the art – if I am not physically doing something I am creating in my head.

What’s your favorite comfort food?
Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

The focal flower on the top of the piece is styled after a hibiscus, modified slightly (but only slightly!) from the excellent instructions given by Kerrie Slade in the April 2009 issue of Bead&Button Magazine.

For my general instructions on bead embroidery, please check Bead Embroidery Techniques.

Step by step instructions for RuthAnn’s Garden:

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

Website & Blog:
Patterns of my designs
Beading Blog

Nancy, how do you describe your work?
I think that my first love of style of beading is beadweaving. I love to learn new stitches and then take them, create and explore new possibilities. There are some that I find myself coming back to, like the various forms of peyote.

What is your creative process like?
Having two sons, my creative process can be quite chaotic. I may have an idea for a piece but then I only get to work on it in small spurts between helping and taking care of them. Every now and then I will sit down and just bead while they are watching a show. Those are usually my longest spurts of beading. It is hard sometimes when I want to work on a larger project to break it down into the time slots that I have available. Of course when I get toward the end of the project, it is hard to remember to do the other things that I NEED to do, lol.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I don’t have any “formal” training in beadwork. I started by doing simple stringing and was hooked. I wanted to make a piece of jewelry for a friend who was getting married and decided that I should expand my repertoire of beading skills. I started to buy patterns and follow along. This built up a lot of the skills that I use now. A good friend, seeing some of the things that I dabbled with on my own, encouraged me to start to write up patterns for what I was doing. I guess the rest, as they say, is history.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
I love seed beads and Swarovski crystals. Give me a bunch with a needle and thread and I am ready to go.

What inspires you to create?
Other bead artists inspire me. I like to take in what someone else has done and explore their process of putting things together. It helps me to learn new skills and pick up little “tricks” that help make the process easier.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
My advice is to just keep at it. Don’t be afraid to learn something new. Life is all about learning and adapting and incorporating. Use what you know, add to it and share it!

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
I would have to say my family. We have two upper elementary age boys and they keep me on my toes. My youngest son is very interested in my beadwork. He likes to help pick colors and often likes to sit down and bead himself.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

The exact bead counts will depend upon whether you decide to use Delica beads or the rounder Czech seed beads.  Both are size 11/0s, but the difference in shape means that you’ll be able to fit 16 base row beads (and therefore 16 full sized petals) if you use Delicas.  If you chose to use Czech see beads, you’ll only be able to fit 14 around the circumference of the 8mm bead center.

Materials & Tools

8mm crystal beads
Delica or Czech seed beads
Nymo thread, size O
Beading needle

Step-by-step instructions

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

There are so many different ways to make beaded flowers.  Some of the most intricate and beautiful that I’ve seen have been done on thin wire in the French style.  I decided to figure out a way to do mine with needle and thread instead.

You might remember awhile ago I shared a piece that I made, inspired by my mother’s flower garden.  I thought it might be nice to show you one of the simple ways that I made some of the flowers for this piece.

Gather up your seed beads, thread, beading needle, and some 8mm crystals or druks to use as the centers.  Tomorrow for Technique Tuesday, I’ll share the step-by-steps with you!

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

Olga wrote to me: “I used four types of seed beads (2 green types and 2 yellow types) in order to achieve the most gradual color change. My Mom said the necklace might be used for eye relaxation because of its colors. It seems to me the necklace is similar to hair of dryad so I called it Wood Nymph.”

I asked Olga about some of her other work and whether she would please please please share some of it with us.  She wrote that she likes using natural gemstones in her jewelry making, and has a  fairly large collection of them. The necklace shown below is produced by using garnet beads.  Besides jewelery, Olga also likes to make home decor items, like beaded eggs or toys. The Chicken, also below, is made on basis of a beaded egg.  How cute is that?

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

Sara writes:
I’ve made a number of these – starting with prototypes – and each one comes out different and more beautiful (to my way of thinking) than the one before.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

Step by step instructions

Materials & Tools

Large wood or plastic bead to cover
Nymo 0 thread
Delicas and/or Czech seed beads in sizes 15/0, 11/0, 8/0, or even 6/0 as
desired
Beading needle

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

I’ve been wanting to share with you about how Autumn Arbor was put together from several different components, but I neglected to take sufficiently detailed process photos while I was working on it.  For those of you who have some bead weaving experience, it’s probably easy enough to figure out. Three basic stitches were used to create the components, and then these pieces were woven together and embellished using the thread tails: tubular herringbone, free-form right angle weave, and spiral square stitch.

Step by step instructions

Post from: Jewelry and Beading