This may not be a traditional beading or jewelry-making technique, but it is certainly a topic we can all benefit from.
Like many of you, I have a substantial stash of beads and other supplies on hand at all times. One must be prepared just in case of a massive snow storm, right? While I anxiously await my annual trip to the Tucson gem shows, I stare at my already enormous collection of beads. I hope for a surge of inspiration to use some pieces in new and different ways and avoid making any purchases.
I must trust you all very much to share this photo with you. My work table probably looks like a disaster zone to you, but this is pretty normal for me. OK, maybe it's a little messier than usual. I've been looking at and thinking about using some beads I nearly forgot about. That means keeping a generous selection of beads on my bead board, along with some stray
earwires, bits of chain, random components and partially finished pieces.
I challenge everyone to make some jewelry using ONLY the pieces you currently have on hand. Experiment with new and different color combinations. Use wire in a decorative manner, if you've never done that before. If you usually string beads for a necklace, try connecting the beads with wire, or vice
versa! Combine the two styles and create something completely different. Use those charms you thought were so cute when you bought them 3 years ago. Thumb through some old beading magazines for inspiration. Look at your bead collection with a new set of eyes.
This is what happened when I did this exact thing last week. I've had these
keshi petal shaped pearls for years. I never thought to use them in this manner until I looked at them next to a length of wire that I had put next to them by accident. Voila! Cute, huh?
