What I like about making art beads
By staci L. smith
Let me start by saying that I am still new to bead making. I only started making beads to sell last spring. I took that big jump, from just making them for my jewelry designs, to making them for everybody else to use, and you know what, it wasn’t easy. I was afraid no one would buy my jewelry anymore. I was afraid people would steal my designs. I was afraid to take on another direction. But I swallowed hard, put fear aside, and jumped. Guess what? I made the right choice. I am loving this adventure.
Purple Haze- having fun with paints on these hearts
So, here is what I love about making art beads.
1. They are each a little piece of art all their own. This allows me to produce more art, more often. (this is also why I tend to collect art beads from other artists- it’s art collecting, right?)
2. Because I get to produce more art, more often, I get to try more things, and it keeps me stimulated, I never get bored making beads, like I would sometimes get stringing them.
3. I don’t have to know what to make. I can just create, and know someone will find the perfect use for it. No planning needed. Total muse, all the way.
4. I get to paint. Whether I am painting polymer and getting messy, or putting a patina on some copper and brass, I totally get into the color portion.
5. I get to see what others envision for my beads. This is the best part. I get to see what others do, and it may not be something I would have thought of, and it’s like we just collaborated. I made a bead, and they brought it to life. ( I have a flickr group where you can upload jewelry made with my components, so please share, I’d really love to see what you made)
I could go into a million little details of what I like about it, but that’s it for now.
As I am getting ready for my first bead show (deep breath) in March, I found myself making lists of what I should make, how many, and on and on. It was all getting very stressful. (That is actually what prompted this post.) What I love about making beads most is the freedom. I think my beads reflect that, and they are new every time because of that. So I can’t go and try to make so many of this, and so many of that, because I think they will lose something. So I am off to play. It’s a little scary, but I think it will all work out, and whatever I take to the show will be good enough.
So I leave you with these questions…………………
Do you make art beads? If so, what do you love about it?
Do you collect art beads? Why? Who?
