Heather Loves Green... Necklace

Name:  Barbara

Etsy shop name: Barbara Beads

Blog: Barbara Beads

Location: Rockledge, FL

1. What kind of materials do you use in your creations? Beads, Swarovski crystal, semi-precious stones, vintage beads, sterling silver and anything that is unique, fun or different.

2. How did you get into this form of art? I saw something in a store that was far outside my price range but I thought, “hey, I could make that.” So I did!  That was the beginning over 7 years ago.  Since then, my creativity and love of color have taken over and I enjoy using jewelry making  as one of my creative outlets.

3. What inspires you? Do you have a plan before you make a piece, or do the materials “speak” to you? Oh everything can be inspiring. Particularly, I find that my friends and fans inspire me. An outfit, a dress, a color can launch a work of art. The beads usually do speak to me. Usually, many of them speak to me at once and bam, suddenly I have a whole necklace done.

4. Do you have any particular influences? More than anything I think color influences me. I love having monochromatic pieces but taking them to the next level.

5. Do you have a certain design style? Fun! Don’t get me wrong, I love sophistication too, but I love to have a bit of fun with my jewelry. Sometimes that means bold color and others it’s a sparkly dangle or something a little more subtle.

6. What is your favorite technique? I love using sterling silver chain and wire wrapping beads onto them for dangly pieces and earrings.  

7. Other than Etsy, where could someone find your creations?

For right now, www.barbarabeads.etsy.com is the only place to find my work.

8. What is your favorite part of being a member of EtsyBEAD?

The best thing about being part of the group is chatting with everyone and seeing their work during the bi-weekly promotion.

Just Like a Star in the Sky Necklace

Come Sail Away... Caribbean Blues Necklace

Pink Flowers in a Meadow Necklace

 

Denim Dreams Necklace

Name:  Sabina Dougherty

Etsy shop name: Angelic Adornments

Website: Sabina24.etsy.com

Blog:  Bina’s Blog

Location:  New Hampshire

 

Long Necklace and Earring Set with Religious Symbols

1. What kind of materials do you use in your creations?

All kinds of beads and wire — I’m  sort of addicted now.

2. How did you get into this form of art? 

My 16-year old daughter and I took a beading class together during one of her school breaks.  It was pricey and having done crafts to sell before, I knew I could make the items cheaper if I searched out wholesale sources for the beads and findings.  I was right, of course, but that didn’t stop me from investing thousands of dollars into the beads to start my own business — so thinking back — maybe I should have just stopped with the beading class if I had wanted to really save money.  lol

3. What inspires you? Do you have a plan before you make a piece, or do the materials “speak” to you? 

Well, this is complicated and some folks will probably think I’m  weird, but I started making spiritually inspired jewelry because I didn’t see any out there and I thought it might be a niche for me.  So I started looking for items that I could incorporate into that theme.  I tend to walk around listening to an ipod full of worship music, because I feel it keeps me close to my Papa God.  I started doing that when I went looking for beads and findings.  What I discovered was that the materials I bought while listening to the music were more useful than some that I had purchased when I wasn’t listening.  What was even more amazing was that pieces that came together “easily” were the ones where I was listening to music.  So the music has become my inspiration.  I know a lot of people wouldn’t understand this aspect of my creating process — but it works for me.  Obviously Papa God has a hand in a lot of my designs. 

4. Do you have any particular influences? 

Not really.  When I first started making items at home, I bought a couple of “beginner” books to get the basics and I’ve expanded from there — I’m  not usually inspired to duplicate anything I see in a book or magazine.  It might jiggle my brain to create something of my own, but that’s rare.  I was this way when I was scrapbooking — others were content to copy layouts in magazines and books, but I always tended to “do my own thing”.  Must be that 60’s mentality of don’t put me in a box…

5. Do you have a certain design style? 

I like simple pieces.  I’ve created some elaborate ones, but mostly, I’m  a simple girl.  I keep thinking about that Shaker song about ’tis a gift to be simple.  I find that the simple pieces tend to be the ones that people want to buy. 

6. What is your favorite technique? 

I don’t know that I have one.  I’m always up for learning something new and when I do and I can accomplish it to my satisfaction, its really cool.  I love making earrings — but I don’t make as many of them as I do necklaces and bracelets.  I know some people hate doing the wraps, but I think its fun — although hard on old hands.

7. Other than Etsy, where could someone find your creations? 

Well for now Esty is it — although people could contact me at my home in New Hampshire.  I will be doing craft shows at some point.  I have done them before.  But right now I’m  trying to find a paying job to support my habit!!  lol

8. What is your favorite part of being a member of EtsyBEAD? 

Well, I’m  fairly new, but already I can see where the resources will be helpful to me.  Just having other people to talk to and bounce ideas off of – to encouragement when things seem bleak – its all good.  When I had my scrapbook store and my sewing business, I belonged to similar groups.  Its was encouraging and helpful.  So I saw no reason not to join something geared for beaders.

 

Wire Wrapped Cross Necklace

Lampwork Glass Flowers Ankle Bracelet

 

Cherry Delight Necklace and Earrings Set

Dove and Cross Dangle Earrings