Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Jewelry Artist Mini Interview: Heather Powers of Humble Beads

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Todays Mini Jewelry Artist Interview is with Heather Powers of Humble Beads. Don’t you just love this hedgehog bracelet??  Heather creates amazing polymer clay beads inspired by nature and art history.  She has a very unique style, look at these urchin beads for example, they are lifelike!

Anyway, on to the interview!

* How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?
I started making jewelry in college to pay for extra expenses.  In 2002 I changed the focus of my business from selling jewelry to selling my art beads. 

* Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
It was a brass pendant on leather.  I think I wore that thing every day for a month.  Well, until I returned to the bead store!

* You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?    My lindstrom pliers, wire-cutters, wire, fireline, and a beading needle.  That would keep me busy for a while.  I’d have to learn how to make art beads from the island’s resources.  That would be a fun challenge!  * What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet? I’d love to learn some basic metalsmithing skills like soldering and making bezels. 

* What do you do when you aren’t making beads?
When I’m not making beads, I’m planning my annual Bead Cruise adventure, editing my popular blog, the Art Bead Scene, and spending time with my family and friends. Links are:  www.humblebeads.blogspot.com www.artbeadscene.com   www.beadcruise.com   I recently had 2 designs published in Bead Star magazine as a finalist in Interweave Press’ new competition. 

Thanks so much for letting us get to know you a bit better Heather!

 

 

Comments

  1. love the mini interview… especially the question about the deserted island! how fun would it be to make jewelry from what you find.

    the urchin beads are AMAZING!!

    thanks for sharing!
    xoxo
    jul

  2. Barbe and Heather, what a great mini interview. I wish there were more questions… I’m looking forward to the Bead cruise this year.
    Eni

Have you read?

Book Review Wednesday: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”

Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.

The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”

What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.

There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.

This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.

My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.

You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.