Monday, June 10, 2013

Having Fun with Beads

I'm on a beading kick, taking a little break from quilting.  I have so much fun making things with colorful beads. Nothing fancy, just casual earrings, bracelets and necklaces to dress up a white or black t-shirt and jeans. It really gets my creativity going, playing around with all the different colors I love.



 
 
 
Someone asked about my jewelry at the retreat last month and so I brought some pieces to show people and surprisingly got some orders to make things. While I was making up orders I couldn't stop myself from creating more stuff so I made myself this bracelet. 


I have more than a few turqoise bracelets.

Here are some of my other favorite pieces.



 
 
I've been in love with colorful beads for a long time.  Several beads on the above necklace were originally from a necklace I bought as a student (!) when I visited the Lake District in England many, many years ago. I always loved the necklace which supposedly was made with polished natural stones from the area but it broke a few years later probably because I wore it so much. I couldn't fix it but hung onto it for sentimental reasons and recently decided to just use the muted colored beads in some of the other necklaces I made, spreading my memories of England around to several different pieces. I think I will use them again now that I remember I still have them. I guess I am sentimental about my beads too, LOL.
 

This necklace was made for me by my friend Julia. Isn't it lovely? Simple beads mixed with fresh water pearls.


My daughter makes jewelry too -


I can get lost in a bead store -

 
 
 
 
If you love playing with color, I'm telling you, you should try beading.
 

10 comments:

Beth said...

I love color too. I have beads and have done some pieces in the past. I have some bracelets that broke so maybe I will get warmed up by repairing those.
Your necklaces look pretty, I love that you mixed so many colors. I always feel like I need to use one or two colors. (I used to be like that with quilts too). Like the earrings too.

Merilyn said...

Your pieces are certainly beautiful!!! I haven't done beading, but I have had a few pieces gifted to me over the years by friends who have enjoyed playing with beads too!!!!

quiltgrannie said...

Kathy, I loved seeing your beading work in person at the retreat and love the bracelet and earrings you made for me! My granddaughter had a beading birthday party Sat. They had a lot of fun. I think it's great you reused the beads from your broken necklace.

Purl Buttons said...

OHHHHHhh. BEADS! I love BEADS! It is even my email address and my "persona" on several of my groups. Sewbeads. I have one or two quilts I have embellished but I forget to wear jewelry! I will have to make a point of it everyday.

June said...

I wear a "magnetic bracelet" for my arthritis. Can't find anyone who makes them, so I make my own (simple ones, believe me)! They really help. Know anyone who makes them there? I love beads, but am not talented with them, and I, too, forget to wear jewelry (except for my magnets).

Me and My Stitches said...

Love your jewelry - you are a woman with many talents! You need a few of my pendants and charms scattered in with your beads!

Kathleen Tracy said...

Julie - Good idea!

Sheri in Iowa said...

I have made jewelry too. And do it by spurts....it is very satisfying and gives quick rewards. I love to do them for gifts, great to stick inside a homemade card too.

agullainquieta said...

Haces unas cosas preciosas. Me gustarĂ­a mucho aprender a trabajar con abalorios.
Un abrazo

Unknown said...

Love your beads. I make jewelry sometime, you have inspired me to work on it some more.

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