How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

Betty Winslow — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:13:06 GMT

I don't know if it's changed my life, but it has made me more mindful of the creativity God has given me and the ways in which I can use it to change the lives of others. It's a fun way to spend time, too!

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

DiAvila — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 23:30:09 GMT

Your story is too much inspiring! Like you I changed my carreer, at least for now. I graduated as an educator of childrens, an teacher of literacy. Since about two years ago, I started a hobby to make jewelry bead. I bought some books, started with stringing technique, wire work and now I improving the beadweaving technique. I was doing both things - work with childrens and my hobby - at the same time. This year, more specifically in august, I finally abandoned my job to dedicate more time at this handicraft. Since I started working with beads, I realized that I have a artistic skill that I never know. Besides, I improving a lot my inglish, because almost every sites, books, and tutorials are in this language. And so, I'm very happy for this.

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

JillM@39 — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:10:50 GMT

Beading has definitely changed my life. It inspired me to explore how creative I could be and what talents I had when it came to making jewelry. I am so open to trying new ways of creating jewelry and I am always taking a class to expand my knowledge. Thank you Helen Dietz, "The Bead Lady", for sharing the beauty of beading.

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

ctutt — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 17:02:49 GMT

In the 80s I became obsessed with dragons, and took a class in lost-wax design so I could make my own jewelry. That led to membership in a local art gallery. One day the owner asked me if I wanted some old seed beads [her mother had made beaded flowers in the 30s] and I ended up with hundreds of hanks in every color imaginable.

Of course I wanted to make dragons so I researched the cultures where dragon lore is prevalent. Not only did I make beaded ones, but based on my findings I wrote two books of short stories based on worldwide dragon myths and legends.

So, yes - beads have had quite an effect on my life! ;~)

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

SigridW@4 — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 17:01:21 GMT

Hobby, became obsession, became a business, became a mission. I cant imagine my life without beads, and the many friends I have made through beading, and especially since I started the Traveling Bracelets blog. That has become something much more than I ever anticipated!!

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

SusanneRamcke — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:45:01 GMT

While i haven't changed careers or so beading gives me so much. I suffer from Depressions and beading gives me short time goals to achieve that make me feel better. It's also a way to focus on something pretty to keep my mind off sad thoughts because you have to concentrate. Due to my disease I don't sleep much and while I was afraid of that before I now cherish my early morning hours when I have the calm and time to bead. Not to forget: People are so grateful when you give them selfmade jewellry that doesn't look "homemade" at all.

P.S.: Great topic

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

Emilee0788 — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:10:53 GMT

I know I am kind of late on commenting but had to share. I started 2 years ago making jewelry and this article is like a testimony of my beading life. I am getting ready to start a glass fusing class I saw at a local art studio because I am interested in making glass beads then who knows where that will lead. Maybe wire wrapping next. We'll have to see. So thanks for writing this article because I was starting to think I am the only one that was going through this similar journey. And yes I have made some of the sweetest and quirkiest friends on this journey. Thanks!!!!

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

BobbiWired — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:43:47 GMT

I have been making jewelry of one kind or another since I was a teenager. I friend introduced me to wire wrapping in 1988 after a car accident ended my career as a graphic artist. It was merely an expensive hobby until 2007 when I took a leap of faith - left my job of 18 years, and opened a shop on Etsy, and worked on my craft full time. I have met so many wonderful people from all over the world through teaching wire work and beading. The hours are very long 16 to 18 hours a day, 7 days a week, but very, very rewarding!! The leap was scary, but oh so worth it!

wrap happy,

Bobbi

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

jackie9 — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:55:47 GMT

I'm a avid crafter & beader. I've been beading & making jewelry to be sold at local boutiques. Thank you Jennifer for sharing this post. I've quit my job and now full time beading & making some pieces featured at BEADWORK magazine.

Do stop by my new blog @ bondingbeads.blogspot.com

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

jackie9 — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:50:25 GMT

Thank you for sharing your life changing experience Jennifer.

I've been beading since 9 and beading was put on hold until about 2years ago. I quit my job & became work-at-home-mom. I have set up a simple beading studio in the studyroom, making & selling jewelry at local boutiques since then.

I'm a Beadwork magazine subscriber about a year ago. Now I've started a blog to share some simple crafting & beading with my followers.

<bondingbeads.blogspot.com

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

TDSollog — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:22:21 GMT

Jewelry making is changing my life on a daily basis. I have Pulmonary Hypertension, http://www.phassociation.org/

and creating sparkly things from both repurposed and newer parts gives me another purpose in life. I am planning to use this as a way to make a living if I have retire early from my day job. I just wrote a post on my blog, and I would love honest critiques. Stay crafty!

Tiffany (aka: Saint Salvage)

saintsalvage.blogspot.com

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

Evaleen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:44:27 GMT

Hi Jennifer,

I have tried to order Handcrafted Wire Findings for the price you quoted but it does not come up, can you help me?

Also, one of your Ladies had comment on the books spine causing it not to lay flat. I have a solution that may help everyone with this problem. Take it to Kinko's and have them put a spiral spine on is and it will only cost a few dollars. It is worth it and it is heavenly to have the book lay flat when working on a project.. I hope this will help everyone.

Thank You,

Kathleen

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

nightbeader — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 06:06:09 GMT

Beading me has given me a better sense of my artistic ability. I have met so many wonderful bead artists through my beading career. Beading has helped me push my own boundaries is so many ways. I will now travel by myself (if needed) to join bead clubs which was something I wouldn't have done 15 -20 years ago. I love being known by my family and friends as the "Night Beader" and hope my bead embroidery pieces will be passed down through my family long after I am no longer on this earth :-)

Beadily yours

Susan Feldkamp

aka Night Beader of AZ

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

janice sullenger — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 04:30:07 GMT

i was a smoker for 38 years. suddenly i find myself in the hospital for 2 weeks . learning how to make jewelry kept me busy . i started about 2 weeks after i got home. i was having a hard time with everything, so i bought me a book and lots and lots of beads. lol. before long, jewelry making became more important rather than being upset that i had to do everything cold turkey. it regained my sanity, then i started hitting several local bead shows which in turned made some wonderful friends along the way.

re: How Has Jewelry Making Changed Your Life?

AngeliqueG@3 — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 04:06:45 GMT

Hmm, how has making jewelry changed my life? Well, let's see.... I started out learning how to make jewelry for my 11-1/2 fashion dolls. I used to buy dolls from other people who made jewelry for dolls as well and would take it apart and redo it - making a totally difference piece of jewelry. I was very good at it until one of my co-workers suggested making jewelry for people! I took a couple of classes, bought some beads and I was in business! Of course, I did get addicted with buying everything I saw - but oh the beautiful pieces you can create!! I love the way you can look at beads and begin to imagine what design you're going to make with them. That's the magic of making your own jewelry. I have met many wonderful people and made many friends from beading. I've enjoyed reading and looking at other creations made by others. I also began teaching others and have taught many who can share this talent with their grandchildren. I don't have any children, but am always willing to teach anyone who wants to learn! Making jewelry and teaching others is a blessing to share with everyone!