Inspired Beaders: The Thembalethu Beaders

Today my guest is Adam Jordan, co-founder of the Thembalethu Beaders project of South Africa. Supported by gorgeous beadwork designs, and founded by Thuli Dumakude, their mission is to “Increase global awareness about the economic, education, health and political inequities undermining the magnitude of women and children and produce sustainable, dignified and liberating opportunities for women and children.”

Inspirational Beading: How did the Thembalethu Beaders project begin?

Adam: Thembalethu Beaders was born in the pursuit of a meaningful contribution towards the rising levels of unemployment in the rural communities. We further recognise that training and education would serve no meaningful purpose unless it is linked to job creation – and to ensure the success of any such initiative, it is imperative that all of this becomes self sustainable.

Inspirational Beading: What are the most popular materials or colors for the beaders to use?

Adam: Most popular materials are loose glass beads, and the popular colors are [green, red, yellow, blue, orange, white, and black].

Inspirational Beading: How has the project affected the community so far? What’s on the horizon?

Adam: The concept of Thembalethu is based on a holistic approach and a new philosophy towards people, training, development, empowerment and business. Thembalethu believes that an innovative and creative approach to the numerous challenges we are facing in South Africa, will unleash great opportunities for those rural women with the ability to rid themselves of the limiting beliefs of the past.

The result is an income generating community of rural women. These ladies, who generally meet in groups for their beading activities, are able to talk to each other and in this way, are developing solutions around the various issues on HIV and AIDS which impact on them. Several of these include AIDS orphans resulting in children raising children [and] grandmothers left to feed and care for their grandchildren.

You can learn more about the project, and see many more designs at ThembalethuBeaders.org.

Mortira

Subscribe * Facebook * Google+
Send your beading questions to InspirationalBeading@gmail.com
Support Inspirational Beading for bonus tutorials and more! Powered by Patreon

Copyright 2016 Inspirational Beading

Throwback Thursday: The Peace Symbol

While the words “peace symbol” can generally mean anything - such as an olive branch - in Western culture they bring to mind a very specific shape. You’ve probably seen them on earrings and pendants in every material you can imagine, from wood and plastic to metal and gemstone. The peace symbol is a very popular motif for jewelry with a retro, groovy, or faux boho style. It often gets paired with the classic happy face, mod flower motifs, and fractal patterns.

Ray of Peace Necklace Tutorial by Artbeads.com

The story behind the sign is actually a very interesting one. The Direct Action Committee and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Britain needed a symbol for it’s 1958 march on the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Artist and designer Gerald Holtom originally created a line drawing in the shape of a person showing despair, with a circle around it. Ultimately wanting a more hopeful banner for the movement, Holtom inverted the symbol. The final design is made up of overlapping semaphore signals for the letters N and D - Nuclear Disarmament. Two years later, the badge was brought into the US by a university student, and it quickly became the unifying symbol of both disarmament and anti-war groups across North America and Europe.

Do you have any peace symbol jewelry in your stash?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading
Get inspired on Facebook and Google+

Jewelry Design Intern Opportunity with iSanctuary

We all know about the healing properties of beads, and the amazing way that jewelry design can change the world. Organizations like Soul of Somanya and The Andean Collection are just two examples of the way that beads and jewelry can help women and young people around the globe. Purchasing their products and talking to others about the cause is a great way to help, but for great change to occur, more hands are always needed.

If you’ve ever wanted to join in a great cause full tilt and feet first, but weren’t sure how to begin, this may be the perfect opportunity for you! iSanctuary - a non-profit that teaches jewelry making skills to survivors of human trafficking - is looking for talented designers with big hearts to help their outreach efforts in India.

iSanctuary Purchase with Purpose

iSanctuary is looking for: “candidates that are not only talented designers but can create within our branding and for our target market, and are culturally and emotionally sensitive. And last but certainly not least, candidates should be multi-talented because as in most non-profits everyone wears many different hats.”

Bravery, generosity, and determination are just a few key ingredients for the perfect volunteer. Flying across the world to begin such a quest can be a huge leap, and interns must provide for themselves during their 12 month stay - the internship is a volunteer position. I asked the iSanctuary founder, Stephanie Pollaro, to tell us a bit more about the organization, and the work that they do.

Inspirational Beading: How did you first get involved with the issue of human trafficking?

Stephanie: About 9 years ago I picked up a magazine (something I rarely do) and in it was a story of Anuradha Koirala (who later became a CNN Hero in 2010). I was blown away by several things: the amazing work Anuradha was doing and even more overwhelmingly was the eye-opening realization of learning about the existence of human trafficking for the first time. I immediately went to my computer and started doing research to validate the unbelievable facts I had just learned. As the truth began to grow more evident and more dark I knew in an instance I couldn’t go back to living life the same way… Life as I had known it had been flipped upside down and now I had to respond.

It took several years of planning and talking with professionals in the field to develop an NGO that would best meet the needs of the anti-trafficking community and the survivors themselves. In 2007, with the help of my co-founder Wendy Dailey we started International Sanctuary (iSanctuary). Fun fact: Also in 2007 I got to personally meet Anuradha and thank her for opening my eyes.

In our search to see where we were needed in the anti-trafficking community we heard from many social workers and victims’ rights advocates in India and the US. They all shared the same understanding—trafficking survivors need job skills and economic opportunities. In the USA, Health and Human Services (HHS) often run out of funds to assist survivors waiting for their cases to come to trial (TIP 2012). Internationally, the lack of economic opportunities can be detrimental to a survivors reintegration. According to a study conducted by USAID (2007) the lack of economic opportunities and the skills to earn an adequate income places survivors in vulnerable situations that can lead to retrafficking. It was this realization of the great need for economic opportunities both here in the US and abroad that served as the impetus for the formation of iSanctuary and the iSanctuary POST program.

Inspirational Beading: When did jewelry design and beading become a part of your mission?

Stephanie: It was there from the beginning, as it was the only thing that I had in common with many of the girls in the aftercare homes. To fill the days, the girls are given classes in many different handicrafts: candle making, silk flower making, painting, and jewelry making. However, the jewelry they were making was very Indian and mostly just beads strung on thread. When I introduced the girls to western fashion jewelry and wire wrapping they instantly loved it.

Inspirational Beading: For you, what’s the most difficult part of working with these young women and girls?

Stephanie: The most difficult thing is getting these girls to see themselves the way I see them: talented, smart, beautiful and worthy of great things. Many time the damage from the years of trauma wins- they give into the lies they had been forced to believe, and they settle for much less than they deserve.

Inspirational Beading: What is your favorite, or most rewarding part of the cause?

Seeing change!

Once in our workshop in India, I overheard one of the young ladies complaining about how difficult something was and how she didn’t think she could do it. Then all of a sudden I heard one of our other young ladies tell that girl, “ We aren’t weak, we are iSanctuary girls. You can do it!” It still gives me chills.

Inspirational Beading: You’re currently looking for designer/interns to help out. Tell us a little about the position.

Stephanie: iSanctuary is currently seeking an adventurous woman looking to have her life shook up. She must be flexible yet structured, patient yet persistent, and a go-getter. The one year volunteer position IN INDIA is for a multi-talented Jewelry Designer/ Maker that can help us create pieces that fit our brands' strategic and financial objectives.

Inspirational Beading: In addition to using their jewelry making skills, what should hopefuls be ready to face?

Stephanie: India is a land of contradictions. Poverty is everywhere but so is wealth. It is a filthy place but they are trying to fix that. The people are lovely especially the iSanctuary people.

Inspirational Beading: Do you have any advice for women working in relief services in unfamiliar countries?

Stephanie: Take care of yourself…. Make time for exercise and rest. You are no good to anyone else if you are burnt out!

The International Sanctuary Story

If you’d like to learn more about the opportunity of a lifetime, please visit the iSanctuary field interns page. You can also find additional information about the organization, and all of their efforts in India, the Philippines, and the US, as well as human trafficking issues and what you can do to help. iSanctuary also supports local chapters for promoting awareness, and accepts applications for new advocates. If you’re moved by these issues, but aren’t able to work in the field, starting or joining an iSanctuary chapter is a great opportunity to support an important cause.

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading and iSanctuary
Images Hosted by Pinterest
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading
Get inspired on Facebook and Google+

Inspired Beaders: Soul of Somanya

Here on Inspirational Beading, we often get to see some amazing handmade beads, or jewelry designs that have a great story. Today, we get both! You may already be familiar with the gorgeous handmade products from Soul of Somanya - a fair-trade style bead and jewelry project based in Ghana, West Africa. Co-founder and director, Mel MacDuffee, joins us today to share a little insight into this wonderful organization, and how it all began.

Mel: Most people here call me Mel...my African name is Manye Dede Adanki Banahene III. “Manye” means “Queen Mother,” (I was made an honorary Queen Mother on my first visit to Ghana) and “Dede” means “first-born.” Someone there told me that “Adanki” means “Brave, Wise & Stubborn,” but that remains unconfirmed. “Banahene” is the surname of the Krobo family of which I am now a member. I am (by their customs and beliefs) the third in a line of Adanki’s in their family—hence the “III.” But the most mind- boggling part is that I instantaneously became the mother of I’m-not-yet-sure- how-many Banahene children and/or adults. Still trying to figure that one out.

Inspirational Beading: When did you first get started with beads and jewelry design?

Mel: Actually, I started out as a crocheter. I had developed a technique called “Overlay Crochet,” which I started applying to making crocheted jewelry. That’s what my first book, Crochet Overlay Jewelry (Leisure Arts, 2006), was about. But the real push came when my travel-writing business crashed after 9/11 and, after years of working for myself, I reluctantly applied for a job at a local bead store. Much to my surprise, I found that I loved working there. I started learning all different kinds of beading techniques, although I found myself increasingly drawn towards delicate wirework. Eventually, I started publishing some of my designs. It was one of those designs that ultimately led to the founding of Soul of Somanya.

Inspirational Beading: How did this passion lead to the creation of Soul of Somanya?

Mel: Somehow, a group of beadmakers in the Krobo region of Ghana, West Africa, got hold of an issue of Bead & Button magazine, in which I happened to have an earring design, along with my email address. Traditionally, the Krobo artisans have strung their beads on pieces of cotton string or twisted raffia, tying them off with bulky knots. Now, seeing what the rest of the world was doing with beads, they wanted to learn some of our fancier techniques. So I woke up one morning to an email inviting me to come to Ghana and teach them.

Inspirational Beading: Do you have a favorite bead design or style?

Mel: Well, of course I’m pretty partial to the Krobo powdered glass beads, especially the hand-painted ones. I got to watch the whole process of how they’re made the first time I went to Ghana, and I was awed by the amount of time, skill and creativity that goes into them.

Inspirational Beading: What’s the most interesting or unique thing about the bead making process?

Mel: I think the fact that they’re made out of recycled glass is important in a world that is finally becoming more conscious of the need to re-use and recycle. But I also love the fact that the homemade kilns in which the beads are fired are made of termite clay. It turns out that termite saliva is a binding agent that allows the artisans to fire at higher temperatures without their kilns cracking. I’ve always wondered who figured that out.

Inspirational Beading: How have your experiences in Ghana influenced your own designs?

Mel: My previous wirework tended to be extremely light and lacy. These chunkier beads have led me into experimenting with making heavier kinds of wire beads and lace. I also do a lot more stringing than I used to in order to find harmonious ways of combining the colors and the various styles of beads made by the Krobo people.

Inspirational Beading: What’s your favorite thing about working with beadmakers in Ghana?

Mel: I don’t really work directly with the beadmakers these days, except by trying to buy the beads we use and resell directly from individual artisans when we can, so that they can keep the full retail price of their beads rather than having to share it with their bead sellers. The young people who actually earn a living wage working for Soul of Somanya don’t make the beads—they make the jewelry. But my favorite thing about working with both groups has been their absolutely fearless approach to learning. They don’t seem to worry about messing up as so many of us here do, so they are free to just plunge in with joy and verve and give it their best shot. Consequently, they learn with astonishing speed.

Inspirational Beading: What is the most exciting bead or jewelry design in stock right now?

Mel: I really love the Adinkra earrings our artisans produce. They feature a range of traditional Ghanaian symbols meaning everything from “Strength & Humility” to “Friendship & Interdependence” to “Grace Under Hardship”.

Inspirational Beading: Are there any new projects or products on the horizon for Soul of Somanya?

Mel: I’m so glad you asked me that! Yes, we’re currently running a campaign on an online “crowdfunding” site called Indiegogo, where we’re raising money to launch a whole new line of products featuring the incredibly beautiful textiles produced in Ghana. It’s a very user-friendly site, and we are offering “perks” that are worth more in Soul of Somanya goods than the actual value of the contribution made. For example, for a contribution of $20.00 we give back a gift certificate for $20.00 plus a 15% discount that can be applied to the same purchase. So people actually come out ahead by supporting the campaign.

If we can raise enough money, we’ll eventually be offering handbags, tote bags, laptop and iPad sleeves, cell phone cases, men’s ties, etc. This will allow us to offer living-wage jobs to more of the at-risk young people in the Somanya area, ensuring that they will not have to become street prostitutes or thieves in order to feed their children and support older members of their families.

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

Mel: We try hard to help people understand the importance of supporting 3rd world artisans and agricultural producers by purchasing their products. My own interest, and that of most of our regular customers, is a humanitarian one. But if that isn’t a strong enough motivator, we try to encourage enlightened self-interest. Because, whether we are willing to acknowledge it or not, we are no longer a world comprised of dozens of unrelated economies. If the recent crashes in various Europe economies hasn’t amply demonstrated that, I don’t know what ever will. We are a world economy now. Our economic health depends upon that of every other nation in the world. So when we behave generously towards others, we are being generous to ourselves as well. And in the process, we are extending a compassionate hand to the half of the world’s population that struggles to survive on a couple of dollars a day.

You can learn more about Soul of Somanya, their products, artisans, and mission of hope on their website. To support their upcoming line of handmade textiles, visit their funding page on Indiegogo. Beautiful artisan beads and finished jewelry are also available for immediate purchase on Etsy. To see more photos from Ghana, beautiful jewelry, and lots of other bead goodness, check out Mel’s Soul of Somanya Blog.

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
Melody MacDuffee and Soul of Somanya
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading
Get inspired on Facebook and Google+

Time Capsule: November 2008

Compared with previous months, November 2008 was a fairly steady month here on Inspirational Beading. Although there were only three posts in all, I was beading steadily and chronicling each piece with a new found momentum. I was really starting to like the concept of beading and blogging side by side, though it hadn’t yet occurred to me to write about any other topics just yet.

November was special because it was the first time that I created something for the purpose of awareness. That month, I made a pink multi-strand necklace as a way to merge my support for international bullying awareness week, and Canada’s Pink Shirt Day, which actually occurs in February. Creating a design and sharing it with an audience - even the small one Inspirational Beading had at the time - was a big step for the blog, and one I have been eager to continue with in various ways throughout the last three years.

Making this pink necklace wasn’t just an important moment for the blog, but for me as a beader as well. Today it is an interesting example of the things that motivate us to create. When we begin our journey into the world of beading, our desire to learn something new is often what drives us to keep going. Of course, trying out new techniques and materials is a constant motivation once we realize how agreeable this art form is - but without those extra inspirations, our creativity can go around in circles.

Whether we want to make gifts that our friends and family will love, tell a story, or capture a particular theme, finding a motivation for our beadwork is what helps us move on from simply combining materials and stitches, to truly designing works of beaded art.

This pink necklace isn’t exactly a work of art, but it was a momentary spark of determination. Suddenly, beading wasn’t just a fun thing to do, but a tool and a channel for other, sometimes greater, things.

What’s your greatest creative motivation?

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading
Get inspired on Facebook

Eleven

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
Lampwork Poppy Image Hosted by Flickr
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading
Get inspired on Facebook

The Healing Power of Beads

Today is giveaway day! Congratulations to Carla and Sally, who were both drawn for a copy of my new beaded buttons and toggles tutorial. Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

For this giveaway, I asked what aspect of beading you are most grateful for. The responses were overwhelming and often moving. Many of you agree that beading has a special power to heal, whether it’s relaxation at the end of a stressful day, or providing hope and joy during a difficult time or illness.

The conversation reminded me of all the wonderful organizations and movements that use beading and jewelry to change the world, one person at a time. Today I want to give a little tribute to some of these special people and causes. Many of them will be familiar, but they deserve recognition as often as we can give it!

Soul of Somanya




Beading to Bead Autism




Bead for Life




The Andean Collection

Also check out:

The Global Genes Project 7000 Bracelet for Hope Campaign and Beads of Courage.

How have beads influenced your view of your community, and your planet? If you know of another great cause, organization or movement that is making a difference with beads or jewelry, leave us a link or story in the comments!

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading
Get inspired on Facebook

7000 Bracelets for Hope

This week’s bracelet is very special. Earlier this month, I got word through Twitter that Lori Anderson of Pretty Things was hosting a blog hop challenge, inviting beaders and designers to create a bracelet for the Global Genes Project’s 7000 Bracelets for Hope campaign, and I happily got on board.

The purpose of the campaign is to show support for families that are affected by rare disease, and of course to help raise awareness about Global Genes and their efforts. I found it very exciting that Lori’s challenge would fall into my lap while I was doing my own bracelet challenge. It was meant to be.

All I had to do was push back my ideas by one week, and come up with a design using a blue jeans theme. I hadn’t planned on repeating any designs so early in my challenge, but inspiration really took over this time.

As I was pondering what to make, and how to recreate the look of denim, I kept seeing hints of copper (buttons and grommets and zippers) on dark blue. I went through my bead stash, and picked out some very denim-like blues - abalone lined crystal and dichroic lined cornflower.

I don’t have any metal beads or components, so I had to come up with another way to add that hint of orangey brown that I kept seeing in my imagination. I was really drawn to the patterned wood rounds that I use to make big brick stitch buttons and flowers. As soon as I put the beads together, I saw a big blue flower bracelet, like my Spring Corsage from week three.

The bracelet turned out so nice, though I sort of wish I had used a third blue for the flower. This time I added more wood beads to the bracelet band, and I love the contrast of color. I’ll be mailing this one out right away, and I hope that it can help its new owner smile.

There are so many talented jewelry bloggers taking part in this campaign. You can see some of the previous contributions on the 7000 Bracelets list, and visit all of the blogs in Lori’s bracelet challenge today, to see what they created. Here are a few of my favorite blogs from the list:

The Bead Dreamer
Brandi Girl
Stefanies Sammelsurium
Staci Louise Originals
Linda’s Bead Blog & Meanderings
Lutka and Co.
Treasures Found
The Impatient Crafter

Stop by Pretty Things to see the complete list of participants in the 7000 Bracelets for Hope Hop - there are over 100 of us! If you missed out on the hop, but you would still like to contribute, visit the Global Genes website to learn more about making and sending your own blue bracelet.

On a side note, I have also completed the jewelry sets that I was making for some fundraisers closer to home. Earlier this week, I shared my first attempt at mixing pink and orange with green and brown. I was able to make it work, and finished the pendant, plus a ring to go with it that almost matches. I ended up adding a new shade of green for the ring band - I don’t think pink would have looked quite right. I also talked about color palettes that don't need any extra help to get along - the second set is one example of those. I do love the sweet and sour combination of green and purple.

One of my favorite things about the ability to create, is being able to give my time and energy to causes that matter to me, and know that it will help in some small way. What’s the most amazing or warm and fuzzy thing you‘ve ever done with creativity? I’d love to hear your story!

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading

A Flicker of Inspiration: Mardi Gras Beads

The Mardi Gras festival that most of us are familiar with started as celebration of the settlement of the French territory Louisiane, mingled with religious traditions leading up to Easter. On the final day before the Christian season of Lent, it is tradition to consume great quantities of things that must be given up during the time of fasting.

Over the years, this feast before the fast tradition has come to include pretty much anything that people wouldn’t do on any other day of the year. It can be quite the wild party, with revelers doing whatever they can to collect strands of Mardi Gras beads or throws.

If the idea of a holiday that centers around beads seems too good to be true, it probably is. Mardi Gras throws have seen some controversy in recent years, due in part to the documentary Mardi Gras: Made in China. Inspired by questions about globalization, David Redmon's film follows the path of plastic beads from a factory in China, to the streets of New Orleans. The LA Times said it "cleverly juxtaposes the apex of American bacchanalian excess with the sweatshop-like conditions that facilitate the fun."

1. Mardi Gras Beads, 2. Mardi Gras Mask, 3. More Mardi Gras Beads,
4. Mardi Gras Beads, 5. Mardi Gras | Carnival Masks, 6. rainbow mardi gras beads,
7. Mardi Gras Beads, 8. 55/365 Mardi Gras beads, 9. Mardi Gras Beads

Whatever you think of imported party favors, be sure to celebrate safely!

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading and BigHugeLabs
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading

Bullying Awareness and Necklace Nineteen

Tomorrow is International Stand Up To Bullying Day, and the last day of Bullying Awareness Week. These two events help educators, administrators and families to understand the appearance, effects and outcomes of bullying, and how to prevent it from happening to others.

From the Bullying Awareness Week mission statement:

Research has shown us that approximately 15% of a given population in a school or workplace are directly involved with bullying, that leaves 85% as potential bystanders or silent majority. This group is the primary focus and target audience for Bullying Awareness Week.

The Week also has youth as a primary focus, as they are the ones who can "Be the change", and grow up thinking differently about bullying unlike many in previous generations who have attitudes about bullying as a "Rite of passage" or even that "Being bullied is good for you, it toughens you up."

Bullying isn’t just a problem in high schools and primary schools. It can happen anywhere from the playground, to the office, and even online. Cyber-bullying, though it doesn’t involve direct physical harm, can be the most traumatic type of bullying for children and adults. Because cyber-bullying is ongoing, and involves technology like computers and cell phones, it is harder for victims to find a safe place to go.

In Canada, we mark bullying awareness in February with Pink Shirt Day. Like other awareness events, Pink Shirt Day helps to create a dialogue about an issue that is often overlooked, ignored and even avoided. The theme was created quite by accident, by two Nova Scotia high school students that stood up to bullying and inspired others to do the same.

Their story, and the message it contains, even made international news:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

It seems like a million years ago now, but back in 2008, I shared a pink necklace that I created to wear in lieu of a pink shirt. It worked better than I had hoped, and I was able to bring up the subject of bullying awareness throughout the whole day.

Since I’ve been thinking pink all this week, I decided to use it for the palette of today’s necklace. I paired up some pretty rosaline fire polish with pink pinch bicones to start, and added some all pink beaded flowers. I wanted a nice color to contrast with the pink, and found some beautiful golden Swarovski pearls in my stash. So I finished off the palette with champagne colored beads in gold and topaz, with a hint of pearl white.

Why not make your own pink jewelry design, and try to spark up conversations about bullying awareness and prevention this weekend?

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading

Green Starfish for the Gulf

Photo Credit:
Greenpeace USA

Even though we live in a time when news spreads quickly and never really disappears, it often seems like a story is here today, then gone tomorrow. This is a bit of a chicken-and-egg scenario, because although websites, radio stations and news programs might push a topic to the back burner, we can still continue to discuss the matter and do investigations of our own.

Unfortunately, in the case of the Gulf Coast oil disaster, the news just keeps on coming. Tuesday will mark the 3rd month ‘anniversary’ of the Deepwater Horizon explosion that lead to the continuous oil gusher. Although billions of dollars have been spent to stop the flow of toxic petroleum into the ocean, the situation continues to get worse instead of better.

Last month, I shared an image from If It Was My Home, showing what the oil slick would look like if it were on my doorstep. Here is what it would look like today:

Despite the hard work of many organizations to clean up the sludge, the pollution is making it’s way inland. Tarballs have been discovered in the waterways of Southeastern Texas and the greater New Orleans area. Sea birds and other marine animals continue to attempt feeding and nesting in the oil damaged areas, having no instinct to pack up and leave a lost cause.

And, as we continue to watch in horror and wonder what the results of the catastrophe will be in five, or ten, or twenty years, we continue to do what we can to help. The Help the Gulf Coast Etsy collective is still going strong, and has raised nearly $8000 for Oxfam America and the National Wildlife Federation.

Deep Green Sea Ring

If you haven’t stopped by the shop recently, head on over to Help the Gulf Coast and see some of the new handmade donations. All net proceeds are donated equally between charities helping animals and families affected by the BP oil spill. This week, I sent along my latest ring, Deep Green Sea.

Just in case you need a little extra motivation, stop by Deep Sea News for the latest updates and informative links.

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and The Sage's Cupboard

Helping the Gulf Coast and Ring Twenty-two

Last week, Help the Gulf Coast announced that they have received approval from the National Wildlife Federation to raise funds on their behalf. Just yesterday, they made their first donation, and matched the $2000 already raised for Oxfam America. Not bad for less than two weeks of fundraising!

The collective is still going strong, with over 400 amazing handmade donations still available, and counting. Every dollar raised will go towards efforts to halt and repair the damage done by the enormous oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

Once I had sent in Ring # 17 as my donation, I couldn’t wait to get started on another piece for the cause. After hearing the great news about NWF, I thought I would celebrate with one more starfish ring. The first ring, Baby Fish Blues, had a cheerful color palette, with not-so-cheerful inspiration. This time, I thought I would use some more somber colors, to reflect how we all feel about this disaster.

Ring # 22 - Heartbreaker

I started with the starfish, and used a jet black druk with transparent smoky gray seed beads. I knew that I wanted to use a black and red palette, so all that was left was to choose the band color. When I mentally went over my red bead stash, I thought the best choice would be lustered cranberry. Imagine my delight when I opened the bead box and found a little packet of black-lined garnet 3-cuts tucked away in the corner. It was as if fate had kept me from using them up all this time. The garnet contrasts with the starfish perfectly!

You can learn more about the Help the Gulf Coast collective, and their fundraising efforts, by visiting the Help the Gulf Coast blog, or following them on Twitter. If you still haven’t shopped or donated your own handmade treasure to the cause, here are a few sites to get you motivated:

National Geographic - A photo gallery of the oil spill.
Louisiana Oil Spill 2010 Photos - Over 300 photographs with informative captions.
If it Was My Home - Type in any location to see an up-to-date size reference of the BP oil "spill".

As a tribute to Help the Gulf Coast, and all of the animals that they are helping to save, I created this Etsy treasury with my favorite sea life designs from the shop.

One Creature at a Time includes creations from these wonderful artists:

amyperrotti.etsy.com
CirclesRoundtheSun.etsy.com
iktomi.etsy.com
seabelly.etsy.com
FolkArtFromFlorida.etsy.com
HollyEdwards.etsy.com
LiaLane.etsy.com
SeaDayDesigns.etsy.com
leefee.etsy.com
arttales.etsy.com
handknitbycara.etsy.com
AjBCreations.etsy.com

I would like to send out a huge Thank You to the wonderful sellers who keep Help the Gulf Coast going, and to everyone who has donated or purchased an item for the cause. Every dollar is a drop in the bucket!

Copyright 2010
Inspirational Beading and The Sage's Cupboard
Etsy.com and IfItWasMyHome.com

The Power of Handmade and Ring Seventeen

One of my favorite things about being in Etsy seller is knowing that I’m part of a community that is making changes to the world. Just by providing local goods that are not mass-produced, handmade artists are changing the way that we consume. Many artists are also making a difference by up-cycling and reusing materials that might otherwise be thrown out. Still others are setting an example by using sustainable materials, or reducing the amount of waste that their business produces.

Some very dedicated Etsy sellers take this challenge to the next level, by offering their time to raise funds for important causes. When I learned about the shops fundraising for the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster, I decided it was about time I got involved, too.

So, today’s ring was created especially for Help the Gulf Coast - a collective Etsy shop run by a handful of dedicated Etsians. 100% of the net profits from this shop go to charities that support communities affected by the disaster, including Oxfam.

This organization is already well known for it’s humanitarian efforts. They have been assisting low income families in the Gulf area since the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Now their focus has had to shift, as the continuing oil damages change the lives of everyone in the area. Oxfam is now working with communities to assess the environmental and economic damages, while still working towards safety measures for the arrival of the next hurricane season.

Ring # 17 - Baby Fish Blues

With my Ring a Day project well under way, I had every reason to create a brand new design to donate to the cause. I thought an aquatic theme would be appropriate for this piece, so naturally I went with a starfish ring. The first beads I chose where abalone blue lined crystal. I did the starfish in coral pink, and added some frosted magatamas for accents.

The color combination is pretty, but also meaningful. This ring is my own tribute to the innocent creatures affected by all that we humans do. Red and pink coral, abalone, whales, salmon and sea birds are just a few of the animals that are being threatened by our activities. They are constantly bombarded by pollution, habitat destruction, and of course, human consumption. It’s a cruel irony that only we can help them from our own wrongdoings.

If you’re any Etsy seller, you too can donate a listing to the cause. Visit the Help the Gulf Coast blog to learn more about how to donate, or to see the latest fundraiser stats. If you can’t donate, many beautiful new items are added to the shop everyday. Even the tiniest purchase can help!

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and The Sage's Cupboard

Poster Sketch: Beautiful Earth

For every person that makes caring for the Earth a part of their daily routine, there is another person who just doesn’t see the point. Most of us know one of each - the fanatic and the apathetic. I’m proud to be of the fanatic variety, and I’m constantly alienating myself with my no-tolerance attitudes toward pollution and wasteful living. I can’t watch television without yelling, because I can’t understand how the censors can allow green-washing in so many advertisements.

On days like today - Earth Day - there are plenty of people shrugging and saying “What’s the point?”. I’ve often heard people say that having a holiday for the planet isn’t going to change anything. I disagree, or course. Earth Day, Earth Hour and every opportunity that we take to talk about the environment helps to keep the issues current, topical and on our minds. For today, I invite everyone - especially the skeptics - to think about these questions:

How much plastic am I throwing out every week?
Do I really need to eat imported produce?
Am I recycling everything that I can?
Am I pouring anything down the drain that I wouldn’t want to soak my fish dinner in?
If I had a choice, is this the kind of environment I’d want to give to my children?

In honor of Earth Day, I have collected some Etsy favorites that can remind even the most cynical person what a beautiful world we’re messing up. This week, I’m trying out the new Treasury East tool. To see the entire collection and the artists, visit the Beautiful Earth Treasury List.

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and Etsy.com

Inspired Beaders: The Andean Collection

Sustainable, natural materials have become more popular with beaders and jewelry designers in recent years. Many of us are familiar with the Tagua Nut beads that are made from excess vegetable matter, instead of our more familiar man-made glass and plastic. Unlike shell, pearl or gemstones, these types of beads are collected with little or no impact on animals or the environment.

Thanks to the growing popularity of sustainable living, marvelous products like these are becoming more accessible to artisans and jewelry lovers alike. One company that is helping to inspire a love of natural jewelry is The Andean Collection.

Founded in September 2008, this small jewelry company is making waves in the fashion industry, by providing shoppers everywhere with gorgeous accessories made with natural materials - some of which are still rare in the US market.

The owner and founder of The Andean Collection, Amanda Judge, has brought new fashion ideas to cities like Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York, while bringing hope and fair pay to the jewelry artists of South America.

Inspirational Beading: What was your first reaction to seeing the beautiful natural bead designs of South America?

Amanda Judge: I was simply stunned. I couldn’t believe that these beads were actually natural materials. When The Andean Collection was just the sliver of an idea, I would spend days wandering through the markets of Ecuador asking all sorts of questions so that I made sure that I was learning all I could about the beads. I asked for introductions to the people who dye and process the seeds and visited a lot of home workshops to observe the process myself.

Now that I know how the process works and how each seed is handled individually, it makes these pieces all the more interesting in my mind.

Inspirational Beading: There’s always something marvelous and special about hand-dyed beads, and the Andean Collection is full of lush shades. Which color is your favorite?

Amanda: Definitely turquoise. When the tagua is dyed turquoise, for example in our Riverbed bracelet, it actually looks like large chunks of turquoise stone. It’s so cool.

Inspirational Beading: How has working with fair trade affected the way you view jewelry, and the world as a whole?

Amanda: I could probably write a book on the answer to this question, but I’ll try to keep it shorter here. It’s not so much working in ‘fair trade’ that has changed my world, but working with the artisans themselves that has impacted my life the most. I talk with the artisans daily or weekly (via email – I’ve taught them how to use email; and cell phones) and in this manner I get to be a part of their day-to-day lives. If they have a problem, like it’s really cold and rainy in Ecuador and they haven’t been able to sleep well, I know about it. If the price of grain has shot up and they’re having difficulty buying enough to feed their families, I know about it. And then I go out and figure out how to increase sales quickly so we can give them more work.

This makes me continually grateful for what I have in life. It’s all too easy to get caught up in your own world and take for granted all the niceties you have. Starting a business is extremely difficult and I have definitely had my own moments of maximum stress. During these more taxing times I tend to feel disconnected from Ecuador & the artisans as I get caught up in the operations in the states. Once this starts to happen, I book a flight to Ecuador or make some phone calls to check in with the artisans to see how they’re doing. This reminds me of what I’m working for and gives me the extra push I need to make sure things are successful. My relationship with the artisans just puts my own life into perspective. And a good perspective is amazingly key to a happy life.

As far as how working in fair trade has made me view jewelry…I am delighted that big beaded necklaces are all the rave now, but I see so many of them make out of synthetic beads and think, what a shame! The same designs could be made out of natural materials and would be so much more interesting.

Inspirational Beading: The Andean Collection features some very unique materials, many of which are new to North American fashion. Which of the natural materials do you enjoy the most?

Amanda: My favorite bead is the Pambil seed. From far away it might look like a plastic synthetic bead, but then you notice all the natural irregularities in the bead that make it really dynamic. Tagua is also great as you can do almost anything with it! They call it vegetable ivory because it can be carved and molded into anything smaller than the size of the seed itself, which is about the size of an oversized golf ball.

Inspirational Beading: Who do you hope will be inspired by The Andean Collection?

Amanda: By focusing on high design, I hope we inspire other fair trade companies to market themselves more to the mainstream so that the movement of fair trade can compete on a larger scale. I also hope that we inspire consumers to ask more questions about what they are buying. If an organization says they are fair trade, ask for photos and videos of the artisans and their testimonials. And ask for evidence that an organization has done the due diligence of examining their entire supply chain. Ensuring that products are fair trade takes a lot of oversight on the part of the organization, and as companies grow that gets increasingly difficult. If anyone is thinking about starting a fair trade organization, make sure not to grow too fast so that that oversight gets lost!

I also hope people realize that you don’t need to pay a premium for fair trade, eco-friendly jewelry, nor do you have to sacrifice style to wear ethical jewelry. But most importantly, I hope The Andean Collection inspires people to go out into the world and do meaningful, exciting & life changing work – in whatever way you can.

Copyright 2009 Inspirational Beading - The Andean Collection

Quick Inspiration: Earth Hour 2009

On March 28th, millions of people all over the world will be turning out their lights to raise awareness about climate change.

Earth Hour was started in Sydney Australia, and after just one year the number of participants went from 2 million to over 50 million. This year the numbers are even greater.

When it comes to raising topics about the environment, there are so many ways to get people talking about the issues. Beading is one of them!

If you’re an eco-friendly beader, why not make something for the Earth this month? You could use green, blue and white beads to represent the globe, buy some tagua nut beads for a sustainable project, or plant some flowers for the bees and then recreate them with beads.

And don’t forget to turn out your bead lamp for Earth Hour!

No Fool's Gold

Being environmentally friendly is becoming more and more important for business crafters. Our customers want to know that our products are good for the Earth. As beaders, it’s not easy being green, but it’s well worth the effort.

Open Pit Gold Mine in Kalgoorlie, Australia

One of the commitments I have made since declaring myself a jewelry designer is to swear off metals whenever possible. I’ve been against the use of gold in jewelry for a long time, but I also try to avoid silver and nickel, too.

The Inspiration:

After writing The Truth About Gold - an article about the hazardous effects of gold mining - I decided to do an experiment to see if I could mimic authentic gold jewelry using seed beads and no metals. So, I grabbed a sketch pad and started browsing the websites of some popular gold and diamond jewelers in North America.

I saw a lot of gold chains: some plain, and some with dangly things hanging from them. It wasn’t very inspiring at all. Finally I came across a photo that made my inner magpie sit up and pay attention - a charming little gold and gemstone Y style necklace. It was made with a set of gold rings covered in multicolored briolettes, suspended from a simple gold chain.

With my inspirational necklace found, I set out to recreate it with seed beads, and a touch of my own style, too.

The Beads:

I decided to add a touch of diamond to the necklace, so I paired galvanized metallic gold beads with crystal foil-lined beads in 10o and 6o. For a splash of color, I also added some foil-lined blue 6o seed beads.

The briolette necklace I had found had much more color, but I didn’t have any other 6o foil lined beads. I wanted the beads to be uniform, so I opted not to add other styles of 6o’s.

The Beadwork:

To make a gold chain, I used basic St. Petersburg Chain, adding in a hint of “diamonds” here and there. The chain is stitched in two parts, with the top ends connecting for the back of the necklace. Beaded loops connect the chain and pendant at the front.

Taking a little further inspiration from Sheryl Yanagi’s Byzantine seed bead chain maille, I added a pendant of seed bead hoops with diamond and sapphire “gems”.

In the end, this necklace looks almost nothing like the piece that I drew my inspiration from. However, I think that I was able to achieve my goal of making a necklace that would look right at home in an expensive gold jewelry showcase.

Now only one question remains. Why would anyone spend so much money on dirty gold when green beads are just as beautiful?