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I started beading around the age of 14.
I started by
stringing seed beads on thread to make long loopy necklaces and
bracelets. Mom apparently noticed this odd bead hobby and
bought me a
little bead loom for Christmas one year. And that was that.
I was off at full speed, looming more bracelets than I knew
what to do with. I got my best friend hooked too although I
think she has since been able to shake the habit while I've become
a full blown addict. When I went to university to study engineering, all the beads were left behind and for the next four years there was no time for such hobbies. |
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Once out of school and into the
working world, it didn't take me long to get back into it.
This time the little looms didn't satisfy my beading obsessions.
So, I drew up plans for a new, bigger loom in a CAD program, spent
a weekend in the machine shop at work and finally had my big loom - capable of looming pieces
10" wide and 15" long.
Trips to the public library for beading books and the discovery of a beading community online opened a huge new world for me - there was more to beading than loomwork. So now I'll bead anything. I bead over vases in peyote, build 3D boxes with peyote, string necklaces, do various netted necklaces, and still - loomwork. |
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For beaders looking for online eye candy and tutorials, I've listed some of my bookmarks below. I'm always working on getting good pictures of the beaded items I still have access too (most bead projects are given as gifts), they will be added below when possible. If anyone has any beady questions, feel free to email me and I will help if I can. |
 
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 Last added to on December 2005!!! |
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 Last added to on August 2005!!! |
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The Medieval Crest Tapestry The spectacular pattern was designed by Cari Buziak and can be purchased on www.bead-patterns.com or directly from Cari at her website at www.aon-celtic.com Measuring 8" wide by 9" long, this was a very lengthy loom project. For more pictures - click the image. |
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The tapestry that preceded the medieval crest tapestry.
Designed and made by me for my cousin Jennifer's wedding in August
of 2001.
Measuring 7" wide by 8" long, I had to build a loom big enough to handle the project. This pattern was published in Bead and Button Magazine in 2005. For pictures as the project progressed from start to finish - click the image. |
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There may be more in life than beadwork! I like to work
with wire occasionally also.
Click the image for some pictures of a Byzantine chain necklace I painstakingly put together by hand for my mom. |
Bookmarks
| Bead artists: | |
| Nan C Meinhardt . . . . | Bead artist on the outskirts of Chicago. Teaches and runs a bead store also. |
| Colleen O'Rourke . . . | Does wonderful 3D sculptures. |
| Lidiya Zaretskaya . . . | Russian beader; amazing beaded paintings. |
| Chris Manes . . . . . . . . | "A Muse Ink"; very nice amulet bag patterns. |
| Cynthia Rutledge . . . . | California beader; wonderful sculptural and freeform work. |
| Bethany Barry . . . . . . | Vermont beader; holds classes & retreats. |
| Mary Tafoya . . . . . . . | Extensive list of links to beady resources. |
| Julia S. Pretl . . . . . . . | Dark Hare Beadwork - amazing broad collars, 3D boxes, amulets. |
| Sharon Bateman . . . . | Special tube looms for sale, books of patterns, sculptural works, and more. |
| Vavara . . . . . . . . . . . . | A Russian beader making spectacular necklaces. Patterns available for purchase. |
| Celticat . . . . . . . . . . . | Incredible beaded dolls and beaded paintings. Started the Beat Art Forum. |
Bead Art Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/BeadArt
About.com Beadwork Forum:
http://beadwork.about.com/mbody.htm
| Bead suppliers (I haven't used them and can't endorse them): | |
| Fire Mountain Gems . . . . . . | Large variety of beads. Free catalog. |
| Beads 2 U. . . . . . . . . . . . . . | Stearling silver, semi-precious, glass beads. |
| Rings and Things . . . . . . . . | Wholesale jewelry supplies and beads. |
| Bead World . . . . . . . . . . . . | |
| Beads 2 Crystals . . . . . . . . | |
| Whim Beads . . . . . . . . . . . . | Japanese seed beads, delicas, Austrian crystal beads. |