Artist in the Spotlight…Nancy Zeller
How did you come to the glamorous world of beads? Very incrementally. For reasons I don’t recall, I did some bead loom work in the 70s when my only source of beads and information was Tandy. Using academic studies of Native American bead designs and bargello needlepoint patterns, I made a few hatbands and belts including one gorgeous belt in clear, silver and turquoise that finally migrated to be a wide band down the sleeve of a jacket which I occasionally wear. Then I forgot about beads for several years until a bead show came to town which rekindled my interest. The
bead world had changed enormously. I discovered you could do something besides loomwork although it took me several months to figure out how to do peyote as no teachers were available and not many books. Once I mastered peyote, the rest were easy (or easier). Since then it’s been all glamour, glitter, glitz, and sheer mind-numbing sewing-one-little-bead-to-the-next-little-bead-ripping-it-apart-and-starting-over excitement.
What made you start designing and selling your patterns? After I figured out how to make ANYTHING, I couldn’t find designs that I liked. I had and have a visceral aversion to amulet bags which were very prevalent at that time. So I started figuring out how to make things I liked. I got into making ‘competition’ pieces for the Miyuki Challenges as an alternative to jewelry. From that some interesting jewelry designs developed. After a bit, I had made a few things that people liked so I started making up a few kits, wandered into teaching and things progressed from there.
Do you have one piece that you have done that is your favorite? My long-time favorite is One Red Bead, the first in the ‘Fringe’ Series. The concept and working out of the engineering for it was fabulous fun! And I also sold it which is always a major thrill. Since then I’ve made more pieces on that idea. One of the more current ones is ‘Queen of the Night’, named after a character in a Mozart opera. And, of course, ‘Orange, The OTHER Neutral’ is always a gas. You can see the series on my website. My favorite jewelry piece currently is ‘Dragon’s Treasure Bracelet’. I love the metallics and this really shows them off.
What are you currently working on? I’m currently working on a series of bracelets based on the one basic idea. I like working in a series as one piece inspires ideas for another one. Like all designers, I have several notebooks of more ideas; most of which I’ll probably never find time to do. This year, in particular, I’m just following where my nose leads in terms of beading. In past years I’ve been more goal-oriented; this year I’m just playing — the best thing to do!
To find more of Nancy’s work visit:
www.nzbeads.com
www.bead-patterns.com
Nancy will also be teaching at the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee.
www.beadandbuttonshow.com
Artist in the Spotlight…Pam Welborn
How did you come to the glamorous world of beads? I have had beads in my life as far back as I can remember but I didn’t start beading in stitches like I do now until 1992. My maternal grandmother collected strung bead necklaces and bought me seed beads as a teenager but it was not until I was in my thirties that I took the first class. I had a friend who wanted a specific pair of Parrot earrings designed by Sig. I took a couple classes and learned brick stitch and completed the first pair a couple weeks later. Those bead classes in the back of a craft store in Covina, CA were the start of it all. Jewelry Crafts and B&B magazine were brand new then and really helped to fuel the fire for me. I do tell Sig that all these beads that I have bought – ALL her fault! If she had not designed that parrot earring, I would not have taken that first class.
What made you start designing and selling your patterns? My designing really started when I started teaching beading. A few years later, I ended up taking over for the teacher who taught me at the same craft shop. I met Sig in a bead shop by chance one day when I was on a trip visiting relatives… She encouraged me to bead and design. When I saw her again later on a visit a year or so later, she encouraged me to send some of my designs to Jewelry Crafts where I was first published. Then I got a mac and Beadscape, and I started designing and selling on Bead-Patterns.com.
Do you have one piece that you have done that is your favorite (or
current favorite)? My current favorite is my rainbow collar. I love rainbows because they are so cheerful. My mom taught me the colors of a rainbow as a child to be remembered as Roy G Biv. – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet. Most of the rainbows I bead will always be those 7 colors. I wear that collar often because it goes with anything. Of all my work, it’s the one that gets the most comments too.
Do you have any special plans or goals for the future? I want to get braver and submit to teach at some of the larger bead shows. All they can say is no right? I love teaching and I would love to raise up to the next level. The local shop finally started having classes here in Redding, CA. I just love connecting with other beaders. So now I have a place to teach locally.
To find out more about Pam and her bead career visit the following:
http://www.violetbead.com
http://violetbead.blogspot.com for Pam’s blog
http://tinyurl.com/35jxmn for Pam’s patterns on Bead-patterns.com
The Big Give
Pardon me tonight while I get up on my soap box. Last nite I watched the first episode of Oprah Winfrey’s new show The Big Give. While I thought the concept of helping others in need was wonderful it got me to thinking. Why do we have to wait for something or someone big to help our neighbors?
I watched all of these people come out to support individuals and families in need when they were propelled by having a TV show behind them. Why wasn’t anyone available to these people without the TV camera? It made me happy for the families that were helped but sad for everyone else in need.
Today there are so many folks that need just a small hand up (mind you, not a hand out) to make their lives better. Gas prices have soared but our the wage base has not kept pace. There are many who are just making it day to day. One small misstep, illness, or car repair can be the difference in starting a cycle that is impossible to recover from.
I am one of those folks who live paycheck to paycheck. I work a full time day job and have 3 businesses of my own. It is 9:35pm and I am working on writing my blog, adding new items to one of my websites, and listing items on Etsy. I was sick for 2 weeks in February, exhausted my personal time and didn’t have a paycheck for a week.
I am very fortunate…I have a roof over my head, food in the pantry and a car to drive. But I have creditors knocking at the door and my paycheck that won’t be here until Friday is already spent. Yes, I’m whining a bit, but I’m not looking for someone else to “give” me anything. I just want to make a living and not go to bed worrying about who gets paid and who doesn’t this week.
My point in all this is not for you to take pity on me, but for you to do something for someone in your life. Maybe it’s just a ride to the store or using your talents to help someone out. It doesn’t always take money to help someone.
Finally, there is a wonderful organization that does help folks out that are in financial need that may fall between the cracks because they make too much to qualify for traditional aid. www.ModestNeeds.org
Stepping off my soap box for tonight. I hope I haven’t depressed anyone. I would rather have inspired you to find a way to put your talents to use to help others. Please share your thoughts if you wish.
Uncategorized | Comments Off