Maggies Musings - All Comments

re: Beads and the Big Apple

Mimzee — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:10:15 GMT

Sounds like Christmas!! Congrads on your newest project....but I am jealous about your 'fantasy come true' trip to all those glorious bead stores!!

re: You’ve got questions – I’ll try to answer….

aussiebead — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:40:35 GMT

I agree. As a new beader I often struggle with patterns when they don't look like the picture, and I am sure the bead sizes are the ones called for. Often I have to use 3 #11's instead of the 2 per side on a tennis bracelet or necklace to look right, and I think I am using the correct beads. A chart explaining what the beads are, and the sizes would be very helpful. Also more is needed on the durability of seed bead finishes.

re: Dream a little beaded dream

BrightCircle — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:52:27 GMT

Lately I've been breaking away from my usually slickly controlled designs featuring repeating elements, and experimenting with asymmetry, giving myself permission to turn out 'less than stellar' pieces in the name of progress--and it's working! Some of the earlier pieces weren't so great, but they're getting better. Just recently I made a necklace with strands of chain on one side, and two silk braids on the other, counter-weighted with some crystal clusters. The thing is, 95% of that piece came from bits of unfinished/scrapped projects sitting around for months or years!

re: You’ve got questions – I’ll try to answer….

Miss nancy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:05:07 GMT

How do I obtain a chart that shows me all of the sizes of seed beads, crystals, bugle beads, etc. I have many beads that I am not sure what their sizes are, and would like to use them with my patterns.

Thank you

re: You’ve got questions – I’ll try to answer….

kibben — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:27:12 GMT

Thank you Maggie for introducing me to Whimbeads. They have a great selection of 15 seeds. I work with designs that list 15's and 13's, but it is difficult to find a variety of colours. Now I need to know a source for 13's and I'll be forever grateful to you.

re: You’ve got questions – I’ll try to answer….

BrightCircle — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:15:08 GMT

Colored thread works wonders with translucent beads, such as frosted transparent. It doesn't need to match, it should just be approximately the same value/intensity as the dominant bead shade. I once used bright green thread inside frosted aqua beaded beads, and they lent the beads a new shade while not being distracting.

Although I once used black thread on a piece that was 90% yellow and 10% black, and the black isn't distracting at all. It somehow unifies the piece.

re: What to do when you hit a wall - creatively speaking

BrightCircle — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:02:55 GMT

Hmm. Have I ever had burnout? After a big contest entry piece, I'll want a break from those sizes and colours. After finishing my first 'Crime Scene Do Not Cross' lariat, I didn't want to do square stitch for a long time.

re: What to do when you hit a wall - creatively speaking

yumbeads — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:16:49 GMT

So true: more ideas than time!!! Time is my most valuable and least available asset, even though I must spend at least 6-8 hours a day beading (husband says it is more like 12!) And when the beading muse is in-house, throwing MORE ideas at you, you can become pathetic.

I have successfully used all of the techniques listed in the article. Sometimes I rent a dvd just to replay (over and over) specific scenes with the jewelry in them. Nature walks are also extremely helpful. I have even stopped people on the street just to write down the colors in the clothing they are wearing. And I have had to explain to hopeful artists that, no, I am not interested in purchasing that painting I am studying so intensely - just trying to remember the colors, values, and percentages in it. You get your inspiration wherever you can.

But the rapid pulse, surge of excitement and creativity, and overwhelming desire to own even more beads upon seeing a bead display (and more so at a bead convention!) is so much a part of who I am that I cannot imagine losing that. It would be losing a part of my soul. I know. Spoken like a true addict.....

re: Part 2: Color Choices

yumbeads — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:00:34 GMT

Exactly the same technique I use for color choices. I feel color is not my strong suit - rather it is texture - so having art glass beads to guide color choices is extremely helpful. Loved the comment about a "suspicious looking stew"! So right on - and, sadly, so often seen.

re: What to do when you hit a wall - creatively speaking

Dragon Nana — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:59:18 GMT

When I'm done with a major project I go to the library and load up on books from my ever-growing 'to-read' list. Reading has always been my #1 favorite thing in the world, next to chocolate... After a book or two I'm ready to tackle another beading adventure.

re: What to do when you hit a wall - creatively speaking

Lois2037 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:48:23 GMT

I just got through a huge creative block. It lasted a year, and I could not work on anything artistic or creative at all. It wasn't just a lack of ideas, it was an absence of motivation, too. I found a lot of comfort looking at my beads and reference books and magazines, but could not get anything started. I ended up doing a whole lot of simple knitting, which is repetitive, easy, and provides a lot of tactile and color enjoyment. I did nothing complicated or intricate, just big rectangular shawls and the like. Then one day, about a month ago, I found myself beading again, just like that, and the block was over, like a long illness finally running its course. Nothing I did to try and break through or overcome it worked -- I just lived with it until it lifted.

re: Part 2: Color Choices

bead_rabbit — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:19:07 GMT

For favorite seed bead colors I am going to be boring and say silver, which you can use instead of little sterling balls. It cuts cost and adds sparkle. I also like matte black, in both size 8 and 11. Used in multistrands it offsets art glass pendants nicely. I used to use a lot of size 8 silver-lined crystal hexagons, but sort of outgrew them..

re: What to do when you hit a wall - creatively speaking

Lady Elbinine — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:31:13 GMT

If one's burn out is just a matter of lack of ideas, something I do is I have a container of random beads that are either the last few from a finished project, or part of a grab bag that I got, or however they ended up there, and when no ideas are coming, or what I have just doesnt do anything for me, I sit down with that box and tell myself I have to make something using only the beads in that box. And maybe this is more about beader's block then burn out, but it works for me.

re: What to do when you hit a wall - creatively speaking

Solaan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:15:15 GMT

Burn-out can be a killer no matter what the discipline! I spend most of my time making occasion hats (fancy affairs for ladies) and sometimes I just don't want to see another feather, not ever.

When this happens I try to turn the thing around. OK, a feather trims a hat but what else can I do with it - earrings? A necklace? A miniature skirt for my beaded doll? It can be a matter of seeing the bead (feather or whatever) in a different light so that it becomes a different thing.

This can lead to unexpected developments that somehow ease you back onto the creative path. Last time I met The Block (last week) it resolved itself into a new range of evening purses, complete with a (you've guessed) beaded, feathered trim.

Fight The Block and it wins hands down; ease off and it evaporates, or that's what I've found.

Happy making to us all.

re: Part 2: Color Choices

kyrabeader — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:51:07 GMT

I love the idea of "ethereal" colours, i have to try that! I have to agree with LoriF, i love green as well...