Beadwork and writing — two of my most beloved crafts — are taking a back seat to the more pressing question of self-sufficiency and personal financial independence. I have decided on a career path, finally; but what place do these things I now call, “hobbies,” have in my life?
Category Archives: decorative arts
Routine Log #5: Back on the horse
A general update describing getting back to work on jewelry, and the surrounding literary work in the life of the author.
Precision
A preexisting disposition to high precision may be an underrated orientation in art. I’ve found, however, that this path can relate unexpectedly peaceful experiences to its wielder…
In progress (baby shots of a gift)
Describing the process of creating a piece of beaded jewelry as a gift.
Site Plans, and working on a late Xmas gift
In which I mention beginning work on an updated vision of this site, and continue working on a project for Xmas.
There is no substitution for practice…
…though at the moment, I’m not practicing. Not beading, at least. Writing, that’s another story. I still have to work on an Xmas present for someone, though this person wouldn’t mind it being late. I think one of my greatest issues…at this point, at least, is that I’m more skilled with color combinations, than IContinue reading “There is no substitution for practice…”
New projects: Bee earring pair, completed. NFS.
The author describes part of the experience of having designed and made a set of beaded earrings for the holidays.
Wanting to work: a beadworker’s temptation toward watercolors
To paint or not to paint? As a beadworker, I use color all the time. Sometimes, though, I really want to break out of pre-fabricated colors in glass, and into the flow of watercolor…
Fun with Chevrons
I have actually gotten back to my beadwork, including design: I started playing (again) with a pattern I found a very, very long time ago. This was my introduction to Chevron Stitch, in The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving, (2002), by Carol Wilcox Wells. Well — actually, the pattern I was playing with a fewContinue reading “Fun with Chevrons”
Moving on: macrame lessons and new stitches
It’s been a few days. In the interim, I’ve had a couple of tries at doing micro-macramé; once, without reviewing or following directions; the second time, paying close attention to my cord orientation and the instructions for double half-hitches given in Joan Babcock’s book, Micro-Macramé Jewelry: Tips and Techniques for Knotting with Beads (2nd Edition).Continue reading “Moving on: macrame lessons and new stitches”
SpectralBeads 