Week Eight: Nikia Angel

Our two, at this point very heavy, boxes have found their way back into New Mexico, to the home of Nikia Angel in Albuquerque. It will be fun to see what Nikia takes and gives over the next week.

Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related): Bead Artisan/designer
Website: www.buythekit.com
Blog: n/a
Facebook Fan Page: Buy the Kit

How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker? 

I have been beading since I was 7, obsessively for the last 22 years.

Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project? 
Sounds like a fun way to connect to fellow beaders and I have some cool stuff to pass along! And, it is for an excellent cause.

Have beads changed your life? How?
Beads are my life.  Beads have given me the wherewithall to build the life I lead and love. 

Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker? 
I consider myself advanced in some aspects and intermediate in others, but rank beginner with RAW and bead crochet!

How did you get started working with beads? 
My nanny (maternal gmother) taught me to do loomwork when I was spending the summer with her in 1960.

If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why? 
I am a bead...a human bead.  We all are.  Stand straight, look at the sky and open your mouth...you are a bead.  But otherwise I'd be a vintage swarovski crystal.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? 
seed beads...11s would be best.  Because with them you can make pretty much whatever you want.

What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend? 
Spread the joy.  Try to teach as many people as you can to move our artform forward.  If we don't teach and inspire the next generation of beaders, it could die.

Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it.
Leave the world a better place. Play nice.

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 time and freedom to follow my bliss (continually given to me by my husband) and my husband's unwavering support of my efforts.  Best gift I've given would be teaching my daughters to bead and letting them rummage in my bead room for supplies.

Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?
Not really...beads are pretty much it.

What three words would best describe your current bead stash? 
Unique, very large, sparkly

Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available.
Dunno if it's my very best, but it is my current very favorite!

The BLBB spends the first day of Spring in NC!

It was a gorgeous spring Saturday in central North Carolina.  My best friend Linda and I were headed 90 miles East to Raleigh for the Bead Mercantile Show.   We were looking forward to the drive since the recent warm weather had urged the trees into bloom about a week early.   All along I-40 I felt like I was looking into an impressionist watercolor of fluffy white Bradford Pears, frilly palest pink Cherry blossoms, hot pink/purple Redbuds, the first green tinged blooms of dogwoods, the deep red of the maples and the soft greens of the newest leaves.  And at the end of all this vernal glory…BEAD SHOW!!  It doesn’t get much better than that. 

Returning home again to Greensboro by mid-afternoon, I was blissed out with beads and blooms and was considering taking a nap, when what to my wondering eyes did appear but two boxes of beads and my husband’s wry sneer.  “Now whadja buy?” was the greeting.  I didn’t expect the Best Little Bead Box(es) for another couple days, so I didn’t prepare him, and he and our postal carrier shared some amusement at what could possibly be in those crazy heavy boxes.

My nap forgotten, my husband and two cats (Harry & Amelie) all gathered around the boxes and spilled the contents onto the kitchen table.  Oh, yeah…I was experiencing bead nirvana now!  Bead-topia, bead-tacular, bead-zinga, bead-gasm (can you say that on a blog? ;~).   And there was my husband in the middle of the loot acting like a kid in a candy shop (a wrestler in a folding-chair factory maybe?).  How awesome is it to have a husband (30 years!!) that is so genuinely happy for you and what you love?!  So he helped me gently unpack and open up all the packages.  Here Amelie meets Courage.

What I took...

Urged by the BLBB goddesses Carol Dean and Jennifer not to be shy about taking, I started my keep pile.  Seed beads are my weakness so I made a beeline for those (several strands of size 8 mixes, a tube of pink 11s, a bag of transparent green that I had just about run out of, beautiful rainbow crystal cut charlottes and a tube of very cute pink peanut beads!).  One can never have enough Czech glass anything, so I got some leaves, flowers, ladybugs, faces and crystals.  I grabbed a couple cuff blanks, a knot of gorgeous pink/red silk strands, and that cool color wheel (THANKS Sharon!!), as well as lots of gemstone cabs, pendants, chips and rounds.  I chose some really droolworthy lampwork glass, a vitrail rivoli, a gorgeous porcelain face, some charms, a sweet Czech button, some clay and glass pieces and two yummy pendants and beads by Golem.

What went in...

In anticipation of the BLBB, I began a “donate” box a couple weeks ago and started filling it with goodies from my stash and as instructed, I gave gooder than I got.  I have to tell you that my face started to hurt from the giddy smile I got while bagging and tagging my contributions, I think that was my favorite part!!  Again, I started with seed beads: 5 hanks of assorted 11/0 Czech seed beads, two hanks each of burgundy and dark navy Czech charlottes, a couple size 6 bead mixes, some big bags O’ beads in matte rainbow amber and purple, 9 tubes of assorted Delicas, some green rainbow triangle beads, and some assorted tubes of size 11 seed beads and one tube of fabulous size 15 Miyuki hex beads in antique bronze (oh the sparkle on those babies!).

 
 In the odds and ends category, I included a bag of assorted shell coin beads, some nylon gift bags, earring cards, wooden balls (for beaded beads), assorted glass, goldstone, hematite and metal pendants, assorted findings and threads, a few pieces of vintage glass and acrylic cabochons, some gold charms and puffed hearts, and some kicky clay bananas, budgies and hibiscus flowers that came off some old necklaces.  I’ve added an assortment of Czech glass leaves, hearts, flowers, crystals, pearls, fish, cubes and rounds and four lovely gold 14mm rivolis.  Three beadweaving books are also included.   Are we having fun yet?!!

In the naturals category, I’ve added lots of rocks: cabs, pendants, donuts and rounds in assorted agates and jaspers including some paua shells, picture jasper, and an amazing pietersite cab.  Cat’s eye (optic) glass rounds in several colors, a bag of olive green fresh water pearls, amethyst chips and several strands of shell








 
 The Grand Finale includes pieces from some of my favorite artists: two Golem Pendants, a bunch of lampwork glass beads from Gail Hanley, clay tiles from FiredandFused, several bits from Lisa Peters Art, two polymer clay pieces from TrinityDJ, a polymer clay sun/moon cab by CreationsbyAna, two Kenyan porcelain beads, a raku pendant from a local NC potter, a couple gorgeous dichroic glass pieces, and two fabulous porcelain slides by Marsha Hedrick.   



Harry and Courage supervise loading the boxes
Before I packed up the boxes and tucked in the Tiger for the next destination, the Courage Tiger and I took a little stroll to celebrate the first day of Spring in North Carolina!  He’s a frisky little guy and enjoyed frolicking through the flowers.  I’d turn my back for just a second and he’d scramble up a tree!  I think he was happy to be out in the fresh air after being cooped up on his long travels.  He even hung out on my deck catching some rays! 

 In the Cherry Tree.

 Catching rays on the deck!

 Scampering up the Redbud tree!

The Best Little Bead Box is now officially two LARGE flat rate boxes weighing at least 25 lbs each.  As I told Carol Dean, it should either be illegal or required to have this much fun!  I’ve enjoyed the entire experience, not the least of which has been getting to share this great cause with so many friends!   

Week Seven: Chris Maj

Our two anything-but-little boxes arrive at the home of Chris Maj in North Carolina yesterday. Chris will have the next few days to choose what to keep and what to add to these boxes before she sends them on to the next beader.

Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead): Homemaker / Bead Artist 

Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadn4fun 

Blog: http://chrismajbeadn4fun.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/beadn4fun

How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker?

About 8 years

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

Beside the uncontrolled glee of opening a box of treasures and choosing a couple for myself, I would love being a part of the end goal of contributing to Beads of Courage.

Have beads changed your life? How?

Well, sure! I get to play with pretty, sparkly, shiny objects on a daily basis which makes me very happy. I spent 15 years as an administrative assistant during which I began to feel acutely the lack of creative/artistic outlet. Now I’m able to look at everything with the eye of an artist/beader for inspiration, and create ooak pieces that also make others happy.

Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker?

I’ve acquired quite a few techniques, but still consider myself to be an intermediate plus.

How did you get started working with beads?

For Christmas 2003 I was making jar candles for everyone in my family and I wanted to decorate the jars with some pretty beaded ornamentation. At the time, beaded amulet bags seemed to be all the rage and I bought a book and began making them.

If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why?
I would be a voluptuous lampworked goddess bead. A big, one of a kind, sorta odd bead that you would admire, but never be quite sure what to do with.

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

SEED BEADS!! There is no limit to what you can do with a mess of seed beads. You could make a fabulous hammock.

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

I can’t think of a single piece of advice, but in getting to know the community of beaders on facebook and ETSY, one of the things I’ve heard the most that has inspired me is “Try it”.

Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it.
“Do what you Love”. I don’t know if it’s a direct quote from someone or just an often said ideal, but life is short, do what makes you happy and others will respond positively.

What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else?

A friend gave me this huge vintage bead from Africa and I had a blast playing detective to try and figure out what on earth it was. Still haven’t used it, but it’s fun to imagine. I’ve given my jewelry to many people because there is no greater gift than the happiness you feel as you present something special to someone. But one of my favorite giving experiences was in taking a beautiful agate that was very special to my friend’s mother, and creating a beadwoven necklace she’s able to wear anytime.

Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?

Not currently. Back in the day I was a fabriholic and made quilts and renaissance costumes. And before that I crosstitched my way through the 80’s.

What three words would best describe your current bead stash?

Colorful, Organized, Incomplete.

Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available.

I've attached a picture of "Mariposa" my entry to the Haute Couture Beading Contest that I created in September. My best bead embroidery piece. I've only been doing bead embroidery for less than a year.

I've also included one of my best beadwoven pieces, a cellini spiral.

 

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)

Hello from Chicago!

The Best Little Bead Boxes arrived at my apartment on Monday afternoon. The larger of the two boxes as quite heavy so Jeremy helped me take them upstairs. I opened them and spent a few hours just looking through everything, and deciding what to add.


I didn't want to be greedy, so I tried to make sure I only took a few handmade pieces, so there was some for everyone. I took two gorgeous Marsha Neil pendants, and a bundle of hand-dyed cord which goes perfectly with Kristie's blue pendant and the sodalite tubes. I have also fallen in love with this pendant from Golum Studios, I love the summery colours it has. I think I may make it into a necklace for my Mum. I also couldn't resist the little Zuni bears.



In their place I put a group of findings and cords, there were a lot of seed beads in the boxes and not a lot of findings, so I added a bundle of ultrasuede pieces, a few aluminium cuff blanks, and a roll of KO beading thread. I also added some gorgeous pearls and a few rivolis.


The last photo is a picture of the Beads of Courage Tiger, enjoying a tuna sandwich with his new friends in Chicago, Merlin and Arwen, while I looked at the beads. He is now on his way to visit his new friend Sharon in Fort Worth for the next stage in his journey.

Week Five: Jan Atherton

Jan Atherton, currently of Chicago, Illinoise, will be receiving the TWO Best Little Bead Boxes within the next day or two.

Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related): Beadwork Tutor and Bead Shop Assistant.
Website: http://janatherton.com/janatherton/
Blog: http://janatherton.com/janatherton/?page_id=15
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ten-Storey-Love-Song/186072182907?

How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker?
I started beading in October 2000, so just over 10 years ago.

Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project?
I have enjoyed reading the posts from the first round. I think it would be an interesting challenge, and it would encourage me to try materials I haven't worked with before.

Have beads changed your life? How?
They have taken over my apartment! I started beading at at time of major upheaval in my life, my husband's job took us 3,000 miles from home, to Memphis tennessee, the later on to Chicago, and I didn't know many people at first. Beadwork forums, and friends from a local rubber stamping group in Memphis kept me sane.

Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker?
I'm an advanced beader, but intermediate when working with metals. I learn new things with every project.

How did you get started working with beads?
I wanted to add a few beads to an embroidery project I was working on at the time. I took a trip into Edinburgh to Beadniks (not part of the chain of bead shops), which was in Raeburn Place at that time. I walked out with a bead loom, and a copy of Horace Goodhue's book Indian Beadweaving Patterns.

If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why?
Probably something like a pebble or beach glass, shaped by time and experiences.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why?
Probably Czech size 11/0, you can do a lot of different things with them.

What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend?
Don't air file...

Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it.
"I never could get the hang of Thursdays" written by Douglas Adams. I tend to be a bit of a daydreamer. I don't know how much it reflects my philosophies, but it does describe my state of mind most of the time.

What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else?
My husband Jeremy has bought me tools and beads 2, or 3 years running for birthdays and Christmas. He has always been very supportive of my creative streak. I have been lucky enough to make jewellery for the weddings of a couple of our friends, which I loved making.

Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?
I knit - I have been teaching myself to knit lace recently, I also draw, take photographs, and I love fabric painting and embroidery.

What three words would best describe your current bead stash?
Eclectic, ever growing...

Susan's Time with the Box

written by Susan, posted by Carol Dean

The 2 Best Little Bead Boxes were hand delivered by my postman last Monday, Feb. 28th. The large one was almost too heavy for me to carry but I managed with a smile. This was also my first day back to school since the late eighties so I didn't even have time to see inside each box until the wee hours of the morning.

I was so impressed with all of the wonderful items that were already there. It took me a few hours to decide what I would take from the boxes. I decided on some unique seed beads for my first "take" and then I found some other goodies I couldn't resist including a beautiful glass heart with dots of glass.

Then I went through my stash to add to the mix. I was going to add something to the stuffed tiger but ran out of time. I did drape some of the fire polish strands around his neck for a photo.

Over all this has been a nice experience and I'm happy to have been a part of this worth while project. Now the boxes are on their way to the next spot. Thanks for allowing me to be in this go around.