Made by Tina Chance this delightful beaded camel is going to become part of our logo. He is very cute, but probably is bad-tempered in person, as camels often are.
Designers
31
Mar 10
Bead Origami by Cindy
I have been a crafty person as long as I can remember. I have dabbled in crochet, knitting, sewing, cross stitch, woodworking, and beadwork, but my first creative love is modular geometric origami. In this medium, several pieces of paper are folded into “modules” which are then assembled together to form the completed origami object. I was quite pleased to discover that I could form similar structures with beads! These “beaded beads” form the basic components of my jewelry designs, and range from simple clusters for a delicate pair of earrings, to highly detailed structures for a beautiful pendant!
I use the highest quality materials in my work; all my glass beads and seed beads are of the highest quality, and I only use sterling silver, gold-fill, or vermeil metal components. While my beaded bead designs work best with regularly-shaped beads such as Czech pressed glass and Swarovski crystal, I enjoy incorporating freshwater pearls, semiprecious stones, and even handmade lampwork beads into my designs.
In addition to creating jewelry, I also write and illustrate tutorials that detail how to construct my beaded designs. These tutorials contain fully-illustrated step-by-step instructions on how to construct the basic beaded structure, tips to troubleshoot possible problems, and numerous photographs of completed pieces as well as interesting variations. I love to see what my students create with my tutorials, and I invite you to create your own inspired designs along with me!
To see more of my beadwoven designs, check out my website at www.beadorigami.com, my blog at beadorigami.blogspot.com, and my Etsy shop at beadorigami.etsy.com.
15
Mar 10
Sig Wynne-Evans
If I could spend my time doing only 3 things, it would be traveling, beading and cooking! Ok…maybe writing too. But that darn day job gets in my way…so I do what I can in the time I have left once I get home from work.
I have been beading since 1984 (the same year as my daughter was born). To say I love the art of beading is an understatement. Beading and designing seem to consume me. It’s all I seem to think about. What kind of designs can I come up with? What will I bead next? What quirky thing about beading will I find some humor in to write about?
I have had several books published in years past, and I was also a regular writer for Jewelry Crafts Magazine, which is no longer in print. One day, I would like to write another book and submit it for publication. I miss the process.
I especially like the Art Nouveau period and the Pre-Raphaelite paintings. It is a real challenge to create patterns from the old paintings.
In addition to selling kits and patterns on www.beadedbear.com, and keeping up with nonsense on my blog beadedbear.blogspot.com , I sell patterns on www.bead-patterns.com where I have over 2100 patterns to date.
(Caravan Beads is happy to be a sponsor and judge for Sig’s latest Elemental Inspirations Challenge. Take a look at the design contest and more on her blog.)
8
Mar 10
Christina Neit
I blame it on the porcupine!
I started my business by playing around with some porcupine quills and remembering a beaded pair my Mom had made and given me as a kid. Needless to say, the beading took on a life of its own. Not even a year after I started beading, I found myself teaching with Bead Fiesta shows in New England. I started vending right away too and that was, still is, and always will be a work in progress. You can see my schedule on my website. I try to keep it spicy by doing Ren Faires and have even done a few Pow Wow’s and adding local venues as they present themselves.
Blues Traveler 2 by Christina Neit
As a constant learner, I have taught myself how to do some work with horsehair and traditional techniques with quills. I have much further to go in learning to work with the quills, but the attempt has been made, now to find the time. Eventually, I will learn how to hitch with horsehair too. I always have my eyes open on how to incorporate new techniques and items into my bead work, it has opened up a whole new world.
Manja 1 by Christina Neit
I am beyond fortunate to be able to do this day in and day out. I am easily inspired and just cannot bead fast enough. I usually end up spending half of every day on the computer working on my website, editing photos, networking, designing patterns. Thankfully, I enjoy that a lot and have grown to be very fond of making my own graphics, I guess that just goes with the creative flow…
You can see more of Christina’s work on her website or her etsy site.
12
Feb 10
Jean Campbell
I’ve worn a lot of hats in the beading community–editor, teacher, designer, writer…I’ve even hawked beads at big shows, worked behind the counter at a bead shop, and have put my mug on tv surrounded by these little gems. With all these hats, I’ve decided to just call myself a “beadist”…plain and simple.
Veve Cuff by Jean Campbell
I have a couple of projects lately that I’m quite happy to toot my beadist horn about. One is my just-released book, Steampunk Style Jewelry. It’s a beautifully designed book on a very interesting trend…a trend I’m so excited about that I fashioned myself a raygun to go with my mad scientist goggles. Check it out here.
The other project that I’m over the moon about is a book I just finished writing…Unfortunately I can’t reveal the title or pictures–publisher’s rules–but know that it involves lots of Crystallized Elements by Swarovski, seed beads, needles, thread, and over-the-top glamor! This baby will be released Fall 2010.
Peyote Buttons by Jean Campbell
I’m also pleased to announce my involvement in CraftEdu, a great new online teaching platform. I’m in the company of not only other wonderful beaders like Marcia DeCoster, Maggie Meister, Sherry Serafini, and Margie Deeb, but also altered book artists, polymer and precious metal clay experts, textile designers, metalsmiths, and more. It’s going to be an amazing site! Visit www.craftedu.com to learn more about the upcoming launch.
If you’re interested in knowing even more about what I’m up to, come visit my website, www.jeancampbellink.com.
28
Jan 10
Beaded Turtle
Former Caravan Beads employee Tina Chance makes incredible bead sculpture look easy.
Using the smallest seed beads we have to offer, she made this lovely fellow from illustrations of real turtles found in nature. His toes are made from toothpics colored black with magic marker.
Send us pictures of your beaded art and we’ll put them up on the blog for other beaders to admire.
20
Jul 09
Barbara Elbe
My interest in beading began in 1989 when I purchased my first pair of beaded earrings from a customer of mine at a bank where I worked. Curious as to how the beads had been woven together, I immediately went out to our nearest bead store and purchased my very first book on beading.
Once I had mastered brick stitch I was completely hooked. By 1993 I had enough beaded jewelry to start participating in arts & craft fairs. We would pack up our little car and travel several hundred miles to sell my handmade items. In 1994, with more designs than I knew what to do with, I found a publisher for my first book of patterns, “Beaded Images”. In 1995 the follow-up book, “Beaded Images II”, came out. In 1996 I decided to try my hand at self- publishing. This was “Back to Beadin’”, containing a mixture of amulet purse, earring and crocheted rope patterns.
Our website, BeadedImages.com, came about in 1997, mainly as a place to show off my books. Through this new medium I found I was able to connect better with other beaders. We received many inquiries from individuals who could not find the supplies needed to complete the patterns in my books. Because of this, we decided to add Delica beads to the website.
In 1998 my fourth book, “Amulet Obsession”, came out. This book is strictly amulet purse designs. In 2002 my fifth and final book, “Forever In Beads”, was added to the group. It contains a mixture of purse, earring and frameable beadwork patterns.
Between keeping up our website and filling bead orders, there has not been much time left these days to bead. Fortunately I still have the enjoyment of handling all those glorious Delica colors on a daily basis, so I’m happy.
7
Jul 09
Mojos from the desert
Hi Barry,
I love and own thousands of 4mm cube beads! Years ago, I horded bags and bags of cubes to haul with me to a sailboat named RYA. My husband and I lived aboard for 8 years, for a portion of the year. He claimed a few “groundings” were due to all the beads on the boat!
As a tapestry weaver of 39 years, I love to warp up my loom and weave beaded panels that I construct into what are called Mojos. Here is a book I created yesterday. Thought you might like to see what a Tucson girl is doing with your wonderful beads. Although I haven’t ordered from you in years, I always smile when I get your emails. You have enabled an explosion of creative expression from this redhead in the desert!
I thank you!!!
Virginia Mann
Mojo unfolded
Mojo closed—surprise contents are concealed!
24
Jun 09
Nan Morrissette
If you’ll be visiting Maine this summer, or if you’re already here, Nan Morrissette just invited us to see 15 of her beaded neckpieces at the Maine Fiberarts Gallery in Topsham. Here’s the official announcement:
INTRICACIES: KNITWEAR, BEADING AND SURFACE DESIGN by Nan Heldenbrand Morrissette
Needlepoint on silk gauze or linen, 1024 stitches per square inch… Knitwear with as many as 123 different colors and fibers in a single sweater… Neckpieces of woven words and intricate designs, made of thousands of beads…
Maine Fiberarts Gallery 13 Main Street Topsham ME 04086 July 5 – August 31, 2009
Please join me for the Opening Reception on Sunday, July 5th 1:30 and 4 PM, with a Gallery Talk at 2:00
