Sunday, December 6, 2009

Inspired Beader: Marsha L. Wiest-Hines

Fuschia Profusion - Haute Ice Beadwork

When it comes to using color, bead weavers may just have the most elaborate palettes to choose from. There are thousands of different seed bead colors and finishes, which can be combined in endless ways with other types of beads. Add to that the variety of colored threads, cords, and fabrics, and the color possibilities are endless.

Marsha L. Wiest-Hines, of Haute Ice Beadwork, puts her color choices to work, creating bold and inspiring pieces with extraordinary flair. From bright and sassy pinks, to elegant golds, her designs are true eye-candy.

Inspirational Beading: How did you first discover beadweaving?

Marsha: For my birthday in July 2007, a friend gave me a lovely little strung bead bracelet her daughter had made as a gift. My wrists are really, really small, and I thought to myself, "How hard could it be to make this fit?" For the same birthday, another friend gave me a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble. I have always been a person who likes to learn for myself from books, so I went to the book store and found Jewelry Making & Beading For DummiesJewelry Making and Beading for Dummies by Heather Dismore and Tammy Powley. Right next to that book was 500 Beaded Objects500 Beaded Objects: New Dimensions in Contemporary Beadwork. I opened the book and felt like I had fallen through the looking glass. I was astonished and mesmerized. I can't even think of words big enough to describe how I felt. All I could think was, "I WANT TO DO THIS!!!"

Vera Similitude Walks the Red Carpet - Haute Ice Beadwork

Inspirational Beading: What kinds of things inspire you the most?

Marsha: I find most of my ideas while walking my dog! I love gardens and flowers and most things in the natural world, so often I walk past things I find heart-meltingly beautiful, and want to try to capture that beauty in beads. I have a masters in Costume Design and have designed and made costumes for competitive ballroom dancers through my business "Made for Movement" since 1987, so the glitz and glamour of that world is certainly an influence. I also worked for the Guthrie Theater and Children's Theater of Minneapolis, so my pieces tend to be theatrical and emotionally expressive. I've had just enough costume history to realize that some of my ideas look like they are from another time. Sometimes the walking itself just seems to stir up ideas I've had floating around in my mind and they fall together for me in new ways, and I can't wait to get home to my beading bench.

Chapea de Peche - Haute Ice Beadwork

Inspirational Beading: What is your favorite color to work with?

Marsha:
Most of my dance wear clients fall into one of two camps. Either they love reds, blues, purples and pinks, or they love greens, yellows and oranges. I belong more in the second camp, but after I have made 20+ gowns for a client, they have usually had one of nearly every basic color, and I'd say that is where I am, now. Every color is beautiful in my book, but I do seem to struggle with silver a bit. Just can't seem to get comfortable with it, although I do use it.

Inspirational Beading: If you could try any new technique, what would it be?

Marsha: I really have to try lampworking!


Sticks and Stones Choker - Haute Ice Beadwork



Inspirational Beading:
Who do you hope to inspire with your work?

Marsha: I don't think I really hope to inspire anyone, although I think I do have an aim to communicate. I make my work because I want to re-create something awesome I saw or experienced, and in doing so, preserve that experience and joy. When others share my vision of beauty and want to own it, that is completion for me. I think my weakest work was created when I first opened my Etsy shop and thought, "What would people want to buy?" My soul was not engaged in that stuff.

Ballroom Dancing with Marsha L. Wiest-Hines

Marsha creates her beadwork from her home in Minnetonka, MN, which she shares with her husband Carl and son Zak. Beading has caused her to stray from her garden, but she always makes time to walk with her Nova Scotia Duck Toller, Gingerbread, and their daily walks provide plenty of inspiration. She also has a beader’s best friend - a 22 year old cat named Samantha.

In addition to being a member of the Etsy BeadWeavers team, Marsha is also a member of the Upper Midwest Bead Society, and an unofficial beading club founded at her favorite bead store, Bead Monkey. You can catch up with her latest creations on her blog, Haute Ice Beadworks.



In Heavenly Peace - Haute Ice Beadworks

Copyright 2009 Inspirational Beading and Haute Ice Beadwork



12 comments:

  1. Just when you think you couldn't be any more impressed you're exposed to the work of this splendid beader. Her work is amazing, thank you for posting this.

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  2. Mortira, thank you so much for the amazing feature. Your blog is fantastic!

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  3. Marsha's work is truly spectacuar! Thank you for sharing, it is great to learn more about our team members!

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  4. Absolutely Beautiful work and a wonderful blog piece!! Thank you so much for sharing with us!!

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  5. Marsha is an exceptionally talented designer. It's always fun to learn more about the person behind the work.

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  6. I feel so fortunate that I get to see many of Marsha's creations "in person." Each work is a true piece of art. They are totally awe-inspiring and each piece of jewelry is so unique. I always look forward to Marsha's next masterpiece. - Pam A.

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  7. Mortira, I have left you a little surprise treat on my blog. Thanks again!

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  8. All are beautiful, specially the last necklace (violet).
    Thank you for show us this wonderful creations!!

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  9. I was watching your post and must say its a great work. You had to have patience to innovate those. Excellent work expertise on design, color combination, made it gorgeous to match with any environment. you must deserve royalty.

    ReplyDelete

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