Aspirations

Happy New Beading Year
 by Jeanette Shanigan

Happy new year; note the emphasis on new. Since it is a new year, why not think about what will be new in your beady world this year? Especially if you’ve been doing beadwork for a few years, the freshness of something new may be just what’s needed to inspire and motivate. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Learn about certain aspects of beads that you find intriguing. For example, learn how seed beads are made. Here’s a link about the process: http://www.harlequinbeads.com/cgi-bin/beads/library/article.html?article=LIB00056 or learn about the various kinds of trade beads: http://www.picardbeads.com/
   
   
   
2. Learn advanced techniques for some of the basic stitches. For example, here’s lots of information about the various techniques related to peyote stitch: http://www.theweb.com.sg/highlight/2007/28092007.html
    
3. Challenge yourself to do a big, time-intensive piece. It may be a bit intimidating at first, but remember that it’s a year-long project. Work on it a bit every week and before you know, it will be finished.
    
4. Explore other venues for selling and/or exhibiting your beadwork. Check out local art galleries or even coffee shops. Do some craft shows. Just try something different.
    
5. Make up all those bead kits that you’ve purchased. Doing this one may kill two goals (#1 and #6) with one bead, so to speak.
    
6. Learn a new stitch or technique. If you’ve been wanting to learn something new, why not do it this year? Here’s a helpful link with a variety of techniques: http://www.beadingdaily.com/techniques/techniques_A.html
    
7. Make some new beady friends. Join an on-line group, a bead society or form your own. It’s fun and very inspiring to share fellowship and beads with others.
   
8. Find a way to make a difference in the world with your beadwork. My passion is for the Bead-It-Forward BC Bead Quilts http://shanigansbeadshenanigans.com/BCQuilts08.html which will be donated to Bead Artists against Breast Cancer, but there are many needy causes in the world. With a bit of thought, passion and commitment, you can find your own niche.

If beadwork just doesn’t seem as exciting as before, find something new this year to pique your interest and perk up your motivation and inspiration. It will make all the difference.

About The Author

Jeanette Shanigan has been working with beads for more than 38 years and has written ten beadwork books (Beaded Holiday Earrings, Suncatcher Beaded Jewelry, Beaded Adornment, Beaded Holiday Adornment, The Beaded Basket, Beads for the Holidays, Beadazzled Cabochon Jewelry, Bevy of Beaded Bracelets, Holiday Beadery, Bead-Embellished Objects), as well as articles for Lapidary Journal and Jewelry Crafts. More than 130 of her designs are also listed on the internet store Bead-Patterns.com. She has taught at Embellishment, The International Spring Quilt Show, Bead Expo, the Bead&Button Show, and Bead Fest. Having taught high school for 31 years, Jeanette retired in June 2004 and now has time to give her bead career full-time attention.

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