It was all about the metal for me ~ especially sterling silver ~ from 2005 to 2011. Then I found myself temporarily relocating to Cherokee, NC and I had to leave my metalworking tools at home in SC. Thinking I would just take a break from creating for awhile, I soon discovered I was going a little insane when I wasn't creating something! I was so inspired by all the beautiful handwoven Native American beadwork I saw every day in Cherokee and even though I had always been slightly intimidated by woven beadwork - all that thread! all those tiny beads! - I grabbed some supplies and hit the internet for some quick instruction. Voila! – soon I was beading actual pieces of jewelry I could wear! I searched out a local beading class and began adding more stitching techniques to my repertoire. What had I been so afraid of? Beading is fun! The possibilities are endless! Watching a piece emerge as I stitch the beads together is a blast. And the colors – WOW! I’ve always been a bit hesitant with color and usually played it safe - which made silverwork right up my alley with its limited color palette – you can’t go wrong with silver or gold! I soon discovered that colors can be fun, too and I found I couldn’t resist those rows and rows of wonderfully yummylicious beads in the bead shop -so many colors, sizes and textures. I wanted them all! I also realized what others beaders already know - beading is addictive!
Tell us a bit about yourself and DeannePace ?
I am a silversmith turned OCB ~ obsessive compulsive beader. I love - and NEED - to make things. I first started making jewelry in the winter of 2003 when my husband's work took us to a really cold place and all I wanted to do was stay inside. But boredom set in so I started stringing and wire-wrapping beads and decorating pieces of found glass with them. Jewelry soon followed. A couple of years later, I decided to take silversmith classes and fell in love with metalwork. I began beadweaving when my husband's work once again took us away from home and I had to leave behind my metalwork tools and materials. Discovering new ways to create is always fun and keeps me from getting bored. But I can only create in one medium at a time. I'm fascinated by people that can work in multiple creative outlets at the same time. I just don't have that ability to switch creative gears that quickly.
I also love sparkly things and am passionate about animals - especially dogs - oh, yeah, and my husband!
How did you get started in doing what you do? How long have you been creating?
I started beadweaving at the beginning of 2012. My husband's work took us to Cherokee, NC for awhile and I had to leave my metalwork tools and materials at home in SC due to space constraints in the cabin we rented. I thought I would just take a creative break but found myself going a little insane when not creating. I was inspired by all the Native American beadwork around me and just decided to give it a try. I've been hooked ever since!
But I've been creating since I was little - starting with construction paper and glitter! I've gone down lots of creative avenues - from ceramics and pottery to calligraphy and crochet. Creating isn't just something I want to do - it's something I have to do and love to do. I will bet lots of you feel the same way!
Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere! Anything ~ from an interesting plant to a pattern on a papertowel, from an architectural detail to the way sun plays on water ~ inspires me. Most recently, a train engine inspired me to make my black and white chevron stripe earrings. I love colors, patterns, shapes and design details. Beading lets me combine all of these!
What was your first creation? Do you have a favourite?
My first beadwoven creation was a really bad (as in ugly) peyote stitched ring. I was so pleased that I had learned peyote and I was thrilled with the ring until I realized I could do better.
I think my favorite beaded creations right now are my miniature baskets and boxes. I love tiny things and it's fun as well as challenging to try to incorporate the design I want into something so incredibly small.
What have you created recently?
I've got about five ideas going at once. I'm working on incorporating some brightly colored pieces. At the same time, I'm also working on more metal-inspired jewelry. I still love the look of metal and even though I'm not working with silversmith techniques, I've discovered that I can still create the look of metal with the right beads and the right design. I've also got some new baskets ideas on the drawing board. I also made an awesome lemon artichoke pasta dish recently. Does that count?
