Inspired Beader: Louise Goodchild

One of the most versatile of beading materials - apart from seed beads, of course - is malleable and adaptable beading wire. Unlike the beads themselves, wire can be shaped, wrapped, twisted and curled into an endless variety of designs. One artist who makes the most of these qualities is the very talented Louise Goodchild. Her creative and detailed wire wrapped pendants are something to behold.

Inspriational Beading: How did you first get into jewelry design?

Louise: I fell into it quite by accident. I was working for a haberdashery wholesaler, and one day I spotted a little box of beads and findings on one of the shelves. The rest, as they say, is history!

Inspirational Beading: Do you remember your first wirework design? Where is it today?

Louise: Ooh, first wirework design, that's a tough one. It was probably a wrapped bead bracelet (which I still enjoy making).

Inspirational Beading: Do you have a favorite kind of bead or jewelry component?

Louise: I'm a complete bead addict, but I'm especially fond of glass - handmade lampwork, Czech glass and most of all, teeny tiny seed beads. They're just so versatile, and they come in the most fantastic array of colours.

Inspirational Beading: Where do you find the most inspiration?

Louise: Inspiration can strike from anywhere! I'm most inspired by nature - trees, water, flowers and leaves. But I also take inspiration from legends, fairy tales and the seasons. I also find it fun but useful to participate in challenges set by the Etsy team I'm a member of - the Wire Goddess Team. There's no prize for the challenges, but I think it does me good to use a set theme as a springboard. It's certainly resulted in some pieces I'd probably never have made otherwise!

Inspirational Beading: What was the inspiration behind your favorite design?

Louise: My favourite piece is probably still my lilypad pendant - it looks quite simple to me now, but I was so pleased with the way it turned out at the time, and I love those colours!

Inspirational Beading: Is there a material or subject that you would love to work with, but haven’t tried yet?

Louise: I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and attempt silversmithing at some point, although the reason I haven't so far is the same one that prevents me from trying out lampworking - I am regrettably accident-prone and I don't want to end up either burning down the house or getting myself sent to Casualty! I'm also tempted by resin, which may be a little safer…

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

Louise: I would like to inspire anyone out there who fancies having a go, or is like I was, and hasn't even considered it. Making jewellery, and becoming involved in creating handmade work has really opened my eyes to the astonishing wealth of talent out there all around the world. It's quite humbling, really, but it's great to be a part of that worldwide talent, even in a small way. No-one should ever feel discouraged by the work they see that seems so much better than theirs. It's a fact of life that there's always someone better than you - there'd be nothing to aspire too, otherwise!

You can see more of Louise Goodchild’s beautiful designs in her Etsy shop, or catch up with the latest pieces on Facebook. Louise also shares inspirations and ideas on her blog, Confessions of a Wire Worker.

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading and Louise Goodchild
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