Creepy Forest Necklace

Some images are so intriguing and inspiring, that they stick with us for years and years. Artists and designers of all mediums can attribute many of their ideas to experiences from the past that have never faded from memory. One of my favorite inspiration stories is the origins of the infamous villain Freddy Krueger, who has been able to scare audiences because of his creator's far reaching imagination. The combination of a childhood bully, a strange transient, and a fascination with Eastern religion gelled into what is now a celebrated cult classic film.

The Inspiration:

Although there are some exceptional family movies being produced today, not many of them have the same charm that make classics appealing years later. It's interesting that one of my all time favorite movies - Disney's Snow White - was already a classic when I watched it, and is still around for a new generation to enjoy.

One of my favorite scenes from Snow White - the one that sticks with me - is the forest scene. After being condemned by the evil queen, our heroine must flee through a dark and terrifying forest before finding refuge with seven kind little men. In particular, the life-like trees that seem to reach out and grab at poor Snow White are a thrill to see. Those trees were the perfect inspiration for some dark and mysterious beading.


The Beads:

I started with some dark brown iris 11/0 seed beads, and added black and gunmetal. For accents and color, I grabbed a few olivine Swarovski bicones, and Picasso 8/0 seed beads. I wanted as many dark finishes as possible, so I also picked out some jet AB bicones and pretty black bugle beads.

The Beadwork:

My first idea for creating some scary forest trees was to use branch fringe. After some musing and sketching, I decided to use netting as a base, and create a forest of fringe along the edge. Each point on the netted color has a tiny set of branches, with gradual increases in size. To keep the necklace from getting too busy, I maintained a strict number of beads for each fringe, with the centers of the "trees" growing larger every few rows.

Copyright 2009 Inspirational Beading

Morse Code Necklace

A summer Beading Daily blog post on Cellini Spiral describes a finicky sort of beader who buys beads and components for projects in the exact quantities needed - down to the exact number of seed beads and all. Not only does this sound frustrating to a bead collector like me - all those counts and calculations! - but it doesn't sound like much fun either. One of my greatest sources for inspiration is my collection of beads. Each time I pull out my carefully organized trays, I discover a new combination of colors and shapes to use.

The Inspiration:

These pretty blue rectangle shells have been calling to me for some time now, waiting for the right bead partners or color palette to set off my creativity. I have been having so much fun with shell coins and ovals lately that I was determined to finally put them to good use.

As I was mentally sketching different patterns and ideas, it occurred to me that by pairing them with round shells, I could create the dots and dashes patterns used in Morse code.

The Beads:

I considered many different palettes to use with the rectangles, and finally decided on a nautical combination of yellow, white and navy blue. I also added some teal colored 11/o seed beads to tie everything together. For the Morse code dots, I used yellow shell coins, which are roughly the same size as the blue rectangle "dashes".

The Beadwork:

The most obvious pattern choice for a Morse code design is, of course, S.O.S. I strung the circles and rectangles between seed beads, alternating between bright sunny yellow and a combination of white and navy. To make the beadwork strong, and keep it metal free, I tied off the threads in two peyote stitch circles - they bear a convenient resemblance to the portholes on a ship!

Copyright 2009 Inspirational Beading

Wavy Beaded Bracelet

When I first started experimenting with beading techniques and combinations of stitches, I surprised myself by coming up with what I would eventually call the "Athena Bracelet". By combining peyote stitch with single strands of beads in alternating lengths, a wavy pattern emerges.

The first two bracelets I made reminded me of motifs on Greek pottery - hence the name - and I made several more with different colors and patterns. Although the beadwork has a soft, fluid look, the short rows of beads are actually quite sturdy, and the entire bracelet band keeps its shape while being worn.

The Inspiration:

Since I've had the sea on my mind, I decided it was time to bring out the wavy Athena Bracelet again, and see if I could improve upon it. I certainly wanted to add beaded clasps instead of silver, and perhaps simplify the beadwork to make it come together much quicker - and with less thread.

The Beads:

I started with some of my favorite seed beads - abalone lined crystal 11/0's. I matched them up with some light blue Ceylon 11/0's and blue and white pinch bicones. For just a little more contrast, I chose some white lined peridot seed beads that have a nice sea-green color.

The Beadwork:

This time around I tried using square stitch for the beaded panels, instead of peyote. The straight rows of beads are much easier to work with, since they can be stitched straight through to add the loose bead strands. The toggle and loop clasp is also much easier to use than a metallic closure, and blends in with the entire bracelet for a nice clean look.

Copyright 2009 Inspirational Beading

Inspired Beader: Marion McDonald

When it comes to choosing elegant precious jewelry, many shoppers have developed an eye for quality craftsmanship. Savvy jewelry lovers know that the very best pieces come in the form of handmade, one of a kind creations. And few can do handmade better than the work from home entrepreneurs that showcase their wares at craft fairs, farmers markets, and at online venues like Etsy and Artfire.

It is these crafters and creators that take our favorite materials - and often those we’ve never seen before - and turn them into works of art. They are often imitated, but never duplicated.

One incredibly talented designer, Marion McDonald of The Sea Fairies’ Jewelbox, uses her love of color and precious materials to create stunning accessories. Just one look at her collection could turn any department store shopper into a handmade devotee. With a University of California education in Art History, Architecture, and Italian Literature, it is clear why Marion McDonald’s passion for beautiful things shines through in her work.

Inspirational Beading: How did you first discover the art of jewelry making?

Marion McDonald: I have been making jewelry since I was a little girl. My aunt was an excellent fiber arts designer who made jewelry as well, so I learned my love of it and some technique from her. My first time selling my creations (or trying to sell, anyway) was when I lived in the country in upstate Vermont. I was 11 and made jewelry from discarded telephone wire, and my brother (who was 9) helped me sell it out on the nearest road.

Inspirational Beading: Where do you find the most inspiration?

Marion: In the natural world, the ocean in particular. Color combinations and textures that Mother Nature comes up with can be both soothing and almost monochromatic, or brightly eye-popping. I pay attention as I go through my day and file ideas away for future use. I also love the color palettes used in period mini-series, like BBC versions of Jane Austen's work, The Forsyte Saga, and Bleak House. The jewelry is often gorgeous, too, of course.

Inspirational Beading: Do you have a favorite material to use in your designs?

Marion: I am so fickle when it comes to my favorite gemstones. I got obsessed with andalusite for a while, but my favorite right now is moss aquamarine. It's the most amazing steely blue-green color, like the ocean after a wave crashes, with flinty, foggy bits shot through it.

I never wore gold until a few years ago - I was almost 40! I got totally obsessed with it, especially with gold vermeil, which is sterling silver with an overlay of 24 carat gold. It's Murphy's law that I would discover gold when its price is at an all-time high!

Inspirational Beading: What is your favorite color combination for jewelry?

Marion: Oh, I suppose the classic pink and green would be a favorite. Purple and turquoise blue, gold and brown, blue shades all together....don't make me choose!

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

Marion: I'm not sure I inspire anyone, but I do think we need to embrace the beauty in this world. It makes me feel happy and satisfied when clients are so excited with their purchases, whether it's a bride or someone going to a work event, or just a new favorite pair of everyday earrings to kick around in.

Marion McDonald has spent much time living in and traveling through Italy. Her mermaid inspired color palettes are a direct result of her summer as an au pair on an island near Sicily. Today, she is a proud stay at home mom. With two young boys - Sam and Leo - in the house, designing jewelry for her shop is a relaxing activity and welcome respite. You can see more of her designs on Flickr, and check in with her latest activities on Twitter.

Copyright 2009 Inspirational Beading, seafairiesjewelbox

Mermaid Garden Necklace

One of my new favorite activities is visiting the library to book hunt on weekends. I've always got a book or two on the go, and I have discovered that there is a nearly endless supply of beading and other creative reading to keep me busy throughout the week.

My favorite stop on a tour through the library is the magazines section. I'm always on the look out for great fashion magazines, photography journals, and of course, bead mags. I regularly purchase weaving magazines like Bead & Button, but I am often reluctant to pick up stringing titles. Although there is always a wealth of information and inspiration in every issue, I only buy the occasional copy of titles like Stringing as a rare treat.

The Inspiration:

One of my most recent loans from the library was a copy of the March - April 2007 issue of Step by Step Beads.

Inside was a fun project that every bead collector should see. “Organized Chaos” by Caren Schwartz is a fun and simple combination of stringing and bead weaving, as well as a great way to use up left over beads. As soon as I saw it, I wanted to give it a try.

The Beads:

I had plenty of sandy brown seed beads leftover from my last two projects, and a pink mixture from a necklace I made earlier this year. I paired these up with pink and green shell beads, freshwater pearls, glass beads, and of course some mother of pearl chips. I also added a transparent green seed bead mixture.

The Beadwork:

I adapted the instructions from Step by Step beads a little to make my own chaotic necklace. Instead of knotting several lengths of thread together, I started with about 4 yards of thread. Once the beads for the necklace base were all strung, I continued through to make a circle, and immediately began stitching. This way, the threads could be securely knotted in the heavier beadwork.

Instead of using random stitches and embellishments, I added a little more harmony by sticking with particular stitches for each color of seed beads. I used corralling for the pink sections, leaves and loops for the green ones, and free-form peyote stitch for the brown. The result is a rose-like chain with an underwater appeal.

Copyright 2009 Inspirational Beading