This week, I decided to test my patience by working with very small beads…and my younger brother. I’m often drawn to larger, more detailed lamp-worked beads, so I was excited to handle these easily breakable pieces.
I sourced these light green seed beads labelled “pale avocado vintage beads” at a store downtown that sold them in bulk inside a plastic container. (On a side note, I dumped out the pot of beads when I started stringing them…do not make the same mistake as me.)
here are some similar seed beads!
After sifting through several thoughts of various pieces I could create with these tiny cylinders, I ended up sticking with what I was comfortable with = necklaces! One of the ideas was to re-create a bow-shaped set of earrings similar to the pair below! While I love these, I quickly realized how ambitious this would be since I have only made one pair of earrings with the help of a professional jeweller maker to assemble them. One day, I may construct these earrings when I have more time!
these earrings are much larger than I was envisioning, but you get the picture!
The avocado-coloured beads were still very finicky to work with, even for a simple necklace. I used them alongside larger round pink glass beads. To avoid a predictable pattern, I broke up the order of the beads, using Swarovski crystals in angular, faceted shapes.
using a tray to organize the seed beads was essential!
Since I had yet to learn how to manipulate the wire to create shapes with the miniature beads, I needed to find an alternative centrepiece for the necklace. While browsing another bead shop, my brother found this golden “hat“ to fit above a charm. So, I used this cap with a slightly larger version of the pink round pieces to attach the two together!
the completed charm
In connecting this process to an earlier statement about how this craft can be a beneficial activity to “[build] connections and memories with family and friends…” I created this piece with my talented little brother while he was visiting from Vancouver. While he was with me, he made two adorable bracelets. He picked out all the beads and strung them on elastic in the order of his choosing. I helped him with the more technical sides of jewellery making—measuring the elastic string and closing it off—so he could enjoy the imaginative aspect of the activity. He loved it, and I loved that we now have another creative activity to do together!
I couldn’t capture his second bracelet before he ran off with the finished piece, so imagine a bright blue arrangement of beads with several dolphins throughout.
Since my necklace included neutral colours (in my personal palette), I can see myself wearing this often, layering it with charm necklaces. Overall, this piece was about the creative experience with loved ones <3Â
the finished necklace!