Week Six: Sharon Erwine

In the next day or so, Sharon Erwine, newly of Fort Worth, Texas, will be receiving our two The Best Little Bead Boxes.

Occupation: Bead designer (mostly flowers)
Website: www.sharonerwine.com
Blog: www.sharonerwine.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page: n/a

How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker? Since 1998, but seed bead weaver since 2006

Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project?

Fun and friends, and pure love of beads.

 
Have beads changed your life? How? 
Yes, it is my creative outlet, relaxation, delight. I love to share it with others who share my passion.

Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker? 
Intermediate to advanced, depending on technique. (Thank you teachers who come to my guild and all you
wonderful pattern writers!!!)

How did you get started working with beads? 

Needed to fix a purchased necklace, saw the beads – that’s all it took – I was hooked.

If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why? 

A size 11 seed bead because I would be so versatile that I could make almost anything! And I would come in so many colors!!!!

If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? 

A size 11 seed bead because I could use it to create endlessly, for years and years.

What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend? 

Oh, so many, many teachers and ideas to choose from, but I would have to say the best advice was to learn to control tension while beading, because it can make or break the success of a project.

Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it.
“To love someone is to give them room to grow."

What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else?
The best gift I received was an artistically rendered necklace from my friend Sheryl, because it was completely unexpected, so thoughtfully done with me in mind, and was so representative of her own distinctive art.
The best gift I am giving is to my friend R.Dee, who found a beautiful birch knothole on Labor Day. She wanted it as a keepsake of our trip to Mackinaw Island, but when I commented that it would make a beautiful
piece of jewelry, she insisted on giving it to me! I had a wonderful time creating a bracelet from it, learning new techniques along the way, blogging about it, and secretly planning to give the completed bracelet to
R.Dee. She thought I would make something for myself. The bracelet is now complete and ready to go to R.Dee this week. I am so excited.

Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?
I have enjoyed all forms of needlework all my life – well, at least from age 16. I am 65 now so that is a lot of years! It is wonderful how much you can use ideas from one needlecraft to work on something in a
different medium. And bead weaving is a needlecraft, though most people don’t think of it that way. And bead looms connect to weaving ….
We have such a rich needlework heritage to draw from.

What three words would best describe your current bead stash?
“Over-invested, but wonderful.” I can usually find plenty


Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available.
Here it is: Stargazer Lily (pattern and kit available)