Inspired Beader: Little Sweet Candy Shop

When choosing from the millions of combinations of materials, we don’t often think of the many interesting ways in which jewelry can be used. Not just for looking pretty, jewelry can be so much more. Today’s guest is crochet artist Olesya of Little Sweet Candy Shop, who combines fiber and beads to make lovely necklaces and accessories for moms - and everyone else!

Inspirational Beading: When did you first get started with crochet?

Olesya: For me, crochet has always been a hobby, I learned this as a child from my mom, she was mistress of all trades.

Inspirational Beading: Have you always been interested in jewelry design? How did you get started?

Olesya: Seriously started doing it 6 years ago when a friend offered me a job as a designer and creator of children's toys and beads for moms. This work completely intrigued me, all the time I spent creating new designs, products. Then come up with a whole series of jewelry for women and girls.

My best friend Tanya helped me to create a site with which I have accomplished warriors first sale not only in Ukraine, but also in America, Germany, Denmark. Now my card sales is very extensive, I have made many friends around the world and I'm happy. Half a year ago I discovered Etsy. My shop is rather new, but there are already a lot of fans, friends and associates.

Inspirational Beading: Do you remember your first piece? Where is it today?

Olesya: Like everyone else, probably my first items I gave generously to friends and family. This is my first fans and support group. The first were crocheted earrings - grapefruits. Many years have passed and they are still stored at my sister.

Inspirational Beading: Where do you look for your favorite inspiration?

Olesya: Inspiration for me has always been music (classical, rock, Celtic, ethnic, pop), nature, the work of talented artists - regardless of the type of art. . And the last 4 years the inspiration - this is my family and my daughter.

Inspirational Beading: What’s the most interesting or unique thing about your design process?

Olesya: I like the whole process of all its components from the beginning to the end. But most interesting to me is sketching, selection of materials, tools (this can be engaged around the clock). Wherever I went - always with me a notebook for sketches because ideas can visit me anytime and anywhere.

Inspirational Beading: Do you have a favorite color to work with?

Olesya: Basically I create jewelry accessories, toys for kids that creativity I choose bright different colors, I try to embrace the whole palette, be varied. Children need to be surrounded by happiness, light and love. For the women's collection I choose pastel colors and contrast - turquoise, yellow, green, gray. It depends on my mood, sometimes the wishes of customers.

Inspirational Beading: What are some of your favorite tools or materials?

Olesya: By virtue of my hobbies, I like a lot of things. This wood, especially juniper (it is so fragrant), natural fabrics, yarn (soft cotton comfort for the body), as well as natural stones, which are also used for jewelry.

Inspirational Beading: What is the most exciting design in your shop right now?

Olesya: I think that is a collection of "funny fruit" - they are all crocheted soft toys with funny faces, which are very popular with children and adults. This collection I thought of 5 years ago.

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

Olesya: In general, I am very happy if I can inspire someone to do creative work. I want to add a little beauty to the world, to create small toys and jewelry that will delight people, toys that help kids develop, surround them with care, will be safe and useful for them.

You can see more unique jewelry and crochet designs at Little Sweet Candy Shop on Etsy. For the latest designs and inspirations, follow along on Facebook, or on Olesya’s blog.

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading and Little Sweet Candy Shop
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Book Spotlight: Beaded Crochet Designs

One of the best words we can use to describe the beading process is meditative - beading is relaxing, contemplative, and a wonderful way to fill the hours. Of all the techniques available for weaving beads together, crochet is one that allows us to work continuously, making it one of the most meditative of all.

In Beaded Crochet Designs,Ann Benson helps readers explore the beauty and versatility of this unique combination of techniques. Using some of the stitches that fiber crocheters use, one can create the most beautiful, flexible and delightful jewelry.

Like any great beading book, this one begins with a detailed basics section, explaining the ideal materials and tools needed to get started. The Getting Ready chapter includes up to date descriptions of common bead and thread types used for bead crochet, as well as an excellent primer on the stitches. There are both photographs and diagrams of tubular bead crochet and finishing techniques, so even a beginner can grasp how it is done. There are also some basics for other bead weaving stitches used in the projects, however simple jewelry making techniques like making wrapped loops are not covered, making this book ideal for beaders with some previous experience.

The projects include detailed materials lists and a quick guide to the steps with occasional diagrams. Beginners can try out some of the simpler projects to practice and become familiar with the concepts used to make bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Though many of the projects use unique materials, there is some emphasis on repetition, including several bangle projects that only require a change of pattern and color choice.

Beaded Crochet Designsis an excellent resource for beaders who want to try out bead crochet, and provides plenty of inspiration and beautiful practice pieces to make. If you want to master this beautiful technique, definitely look for it at your public library!

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
Ann Benson and Sterling Publishing
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Book Spotlight: Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry

As unique materials go - that is, non-bead ones - fabric is one of the most interesting. With its adaptability and wide range of patterns, colors, and textures, the design possibilties are just as exciting as they are endless. Unlike beads, fabrics can be dyed, cut, sewn, and embellished in almost any way imaginable, allowing beaders to create jewelry that is truly one of a kind.

In Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry,jewelry artist Sherri Haab explores some of the most appealing ways to use these materials. As expected, she begins with helpful explanations of all the materials and tools needed to get started, which are beautifully illustrated with new and vintage examples of each product. Just flipping through the beginning of the book is bound to provide lots of exciting ideas. Then it’s on to the enticing projects, with six chapters focusing on general techniques.

The No-Sew chapter features projects that are perfect for beginners, providing a way to get to know the materials and see how they fit into jewelry design. Each of the following chapters - Sewing and Quilting, Embroidery and Appliqué, Felting, Knotting and Braiding, and Crochet - are filled with exciting ideas for necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Sherri has created many easy pieces that can be adapted for both jewelry and art projects, inspired by some classic techniques not often seen in jewelry design. Each project features a full materials list and step-by-step photographs to guide readers through the process of turning fibers into fantastic jewelry.

If you’re the kind of beader that sees the potential for jewelry in everyday things, Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry can provide a wealth of inspiration and instruction.

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
Sherri Haab and Watson-Guptill Publications
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Book Spotlight: Elements of Style

Beads and fabric go together like Delicas and peyote stitch, so it’s no wonder that combining jewelry making with techniques we often think of for garments will result in beautiful designs. In particular, knitting and crochet are ideal ways to combine beads with textile elements.

In Elements of Style, designer Rosemary Hill shares her passion for mixing up three unique and wonderful craft genres, using a variety of materials. Most of the components are familiar friends to experienced crafters, including seed beads, wire, and pearls.

There are twenty six jewelry projects in all, including necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Rosemary has covered many of the basics by combining knitting and crochet with wire, silk, cotton and wool. Readers can learn to make beaded wire beads and felted beads, along with a variety of beautiful jewelry designs. Each project features clear diagrams and helpful tips to help you get the most out of your materials.

Though the designs appear straightforward and simple, as a total crochet and knitting novice, I find them a bit intimidating. Even with the helpful basics guide at the end of the book, I wouldn’t want to attempt most of these projects without a lot of practice. Luckily, one of the most beautiful necklace projects in the book will show you how to make good use of your wire knitting mistakes.

Rosemary introduces each of the three chapters - Wire, Fiber and Felt - with a few inspiring thoughts on the medium. The friendly tone of the book is very encouraging to beginners and experts alike. Elements of Stylealso includes a handy glossary of abbreviations and techniques, a resource guide and an alphabetical index.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
Rosemary Hill and Interweave Press
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Bead Crochet Rope Tutorials

Earlier this month, an Inspirational Beading reader requested a tutorial for bead crochet. I have been fascinated by the combination of classic crochet techniques with beading and jewelry design for many years, although I haven’t quite had the motivation to pick up a new kind of needle. I dabbled a bit with chain stitch last year, and found it to be very pleasant, but since then I’ve been content to admire the work of crochet experts in fiber, and even wire.

Like many beaders, I do love the look of an evenly stitched bead crochet rope. The appearance is similar to tubular peyote, but more supple, and with a little planning, the more marvelous patterns can be created. I’m not quite ready to invest in a bead spinner and take the crochet plunge, so I went on a hunt for some crochet experts.

One of my favorite bead crochet tutorials by far is by Julie A. Harper of Le Beadoir, on Beader's Showcase. It includes, big, colorful close-up photographs that are easy to see and follow - essential for learning this very hands on technique.

On Beads East, you can find a quick list of helpful, and even animated, bead crochet tutorials for both left and right handed work.

Naturally, beadcrochet.com features an excellent primer for beginning a bead crochet rope, with big color photographs and easy to follow instructions.

For the visual learner, nothing beats the instruction that comes from a live class. The next best thing is a well made video tutorial, and this one from CraftMastery.com is my favorite. The use of big pony beads in the example rope makes it easy for beaders to see the steps. The CraftMastery channel also has lots of excellent videos for learning crochet techniques that can provide helpful knowledge to absolute beginners.

Although the techniques that we use for beadwork are mostly universal, everyone has a favorite tutorial or teacher to turn to that really helps them click with the concepts. For one more taste of getting a bead crochet rope started, check out a quick tutorial from Beading Daily.

The Bead Wrangler provides a whole page of helpful tips and tricks for bead crochet, including which threads to use, which bead types, and how wide ropes should be when working with variations.

Have you tackled or mastered bead crochet? What’s your favorite way to use it?

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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Favorite Beads: The Lot

Today my guest, Ellen of yellowee, shares her love of a fun assortment of beads and buttons for decoration and embellishment.

Inspirational Beading: What is your all-time favorite bead?

Ellen: I love glass beads of all types, and also lots of semiprecious stones, especially labradorite, moonstone, amethyst, and garnet. Basically anything glittery or iridescent. I also have a deep love for buttons, which can be used in many of the same ways as beads, and I view them as the same type of supply for my creations. Jars of vintage buttons can be a lot of fun, because you never know what you'll find inside.

Inspirational Beading: What is your favorite technique or method to use them?

Ellen: Since I'm primarily a fiber artist, I mostly use beads as an embellishment for my knitted, crocheted, and needlefelted creations. My favorite use of beads in combination with fiber is to make fiber jewelry.

Inspirational Beading: Of all the creations you’ve made with these beads, which one is your favorite?

Ellen: This brooch I made with strips of fabric and brighly-colored glass seed beads: Crochet Flower Brooch

It turned out really big and bold and I love the little pool of beads in the middle. It was also one of my first international orders, and it was really exciting to me that someone in Australia liked it as much as I did!

Inspirational Beading: Do you have any tips for making the most of these beads?

Ellen: I think a lot about the combination of colors when I'm making something. I take my time choosing yarn based on its colors, and it's important to me to select beads that harmonize and enhance the overall effect. I guess my tip to other artists would be not to be afraid of unusual color combinations. Something that "clashes" can also be unique and exciting.

Inspirational Beading: What is your favorite bead or material to pair these with?

Ellen: I like the way wool has a little bit of fuzz to it. For instance, in this brooch, I enjoy the combination of the furry background with the smoothness of the beads: Sparkle Flower Brooch. And this bowl also has a fun combination of textures: Bounce Bowl.

Inspirational Beading: If you were stranded on the moon, and you could have only one kind of bead with you, would you choose these?

Ellen: If I were stranded on the moon, I would probably be totally happy with a big bowl full of shiny glass beads, especially if there were lots of colors to choose from. I'd be really sad if I didn't have any yarn, though! I need both!

Inspirational Beading: In your opinion, what is the best source for these beads?

Ellen: I love to get supplies on Etsy. There are always other crafters de-stashing something that they don't need anymore, so you can get some good deals. And I like to know that I am supporting another crafter when I buy something.

You can see more delightful bead and fiber creations in Ellen’s shop yellowee, and on her blog, ebebee crafts.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading and yellowee
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Inspired Beader: Lavender Field

Every now and then, I come across a design that makes me say “Wow!” That is the reaction I had after seeing the amazing crochet jewelry at Lavender Field. The artist, Victoria, creates amazing sculptural crochet jewelry with a flair for color.

Inspirational Beading: How did you first get into jewelry design?

Victoria: I guess by simply following my instincts and just doing what I was naturally attracted to. I just simply stumbled into it on my way to discovering my innermost creativity. I always believed in following my instincts, because I know they lead me into what's best for me.

Inspirational Beading: Do you remember your first crochet project?

Victoria: Well I remember the first crochet necklace I made. But I didn't really sit down to design it. I was simply playing around, making loops in different colors and then when I put them all together I thought to my self "wow, that looks nice", and then that's when I decided to turn it into a necklace. I never sold that specific one because my daughter liked it so she kept it for herself!

Inspirational Beading: Where do you like to look for new inspiration?

Victoria: I think that color must be my single most inspiring source. I am so attracted to colors and color combinations. I can't think of life without color and I love being in colorful places.

Inspirational Beading: Do you have a favorite color to work with?

Victoria: Yes, I find that I'm naturally very attracted to green, but in general I just love all colors. Even if there's one that I don't find particularly attractive, once you combine it with another color that compliments it and gives it some dignity, then it suddenly becomes a beautiful color.

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

Victoria: Whoever finds my work inspiring. But I would like to give the message to aspiring artists to believe in themselves and don't be afraid to show your true colors. We are all so unique, so I believe there is no need to copy other people. Just be your own unique self and people will eventually admire and respect you for that.

More About Victoria:

I have a Bachelor of Arts from University of Houston, Texas. I'm forever a learner, and I have an insatiable urge to create, create, create stuff with my hands.

My style is very unique as I don't follow any trends, but actually make my own. And even though I find inspiration in colors and other things I consider beautiful, my jewelry is 100% a product of my own imagination.

My creations are not your usual, boring crochet, but on the contrary they exude a great sense of uniqueness in their color combinations and styles which you won't find anywhere else!

You can learn more about these designs at Lavender Field on Etsy or here: Bold Statement Jewelry Using Crochet. To get the latest news, follow Lavender Field on Twitter or check out Victoria’s blog, This Way Handmade.



Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and Lavender Field

Book Spotlight: Creative Crochet Jewelry

Most beaders and jewelry designers work within a niche, using techniques and materials that they love, and developing their own unique style. Even though we usually stick to our preferences, there are often times when we envy other artists who have mastered something completely different.

When I was first starting out with bead weaving, I caught an episode of Beads Baubles and Jewels that featured crochet jewelry. The artist demonstrated how fun the Bead Spinner tool can be, and made necklaces embellished with frilly eyelash yarn.

The designs from the show were so fantastic, that I immediately bought the first two balls of frizzy yarn I could find, thinking that even if I didn’t learn to crochet, I could at least make something equally fun. I put the yarn away, and forgot all about it.

Then I picked up a copy of Creative Crochet Jewelry by Esther Zadock, and everything changed. Just flipping through the pages was enough to make me want to take up a whole new craft. Over 30 delightfully intricate-looking projects sparkle with beads and pretty things, calling out to be recreated.

While most of the projects can be made with supplies that every beader has in their stash, I found many new materials that only enhanced my envy of the crochet jeweler. They get to work with all kinds of wonderful bits, like fabric flowers, ribbon, lace and trimming. The materials chapter alone was full of inspiration and ideas waiting to happen.

My experience with crochet amounts to a pair of chain stitch friendship bracelets that I made about 15 years ago. You could say that I am a total novice. The instructions in Creative Crochet Jewelry are suitable for anyone with a basic understanding of crochet techniques, so I had to enlist a little extra help. I was amazed at how simple the techniques are, and after only a few minutes, I was stitching away like Granny.

There is something incredibly refreshing about making a piece of jewelry from the comfort of any old chair, and being able to lean back and relax while working. Once the beads are all strung, it’s all downhill from there. Thanks to Creative Crochet Jewelry, I was able to use up some of my fancy yarn, and make myself a crazy new necklace!

I can’t wait to try out some of the more complex projects, including a cuff bracelet with crystals in crochet bezels. There are even some beautiful rings, and earrings that would also make charming pendants.

What I love most about the designs, is that beads aren’t just an afterthought. Esther Zadock incorporates beads into the projects with a true appreciation of their beauty, and expertly blends the materials with the techniques for amazing results.

I would like to thank Sixth & Spring Books for giving me the chance to enjoy Creative Crochet Jewelry. Inspirational Beading has not received paid compensation for including the book in this blog post. I have shared my honest opinions about this book.

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and Sixth & Spring Books