Projects: education or Inspiration?

In the beginning--before I had any clue what I was doing,or even knew what I wanted to do--I liked step-by-step beads for the technical instructions and to learn the names for things I was interested in.  Now, many,many beads later, I like to browse for color combinations, new ways to connect things, and do a little on-line research using the ads.  It's funny, because with most other magazines, I find all those ads annoying.  Not so when it comes to jewelry making and beading!  I see "all those ads" as a network of new goodies to help me pull together my own designs!

 I use the magazines for learn new techniques but I use them in new ways or with other components. I use them for inspiration too.

When I starteds doing brick stitch, I followed the directions in the book, but was totall dissatiusfied with the appearance of the project.  Now I follow just enough to learn the stitch, or technhiuque, and then Off I go on my own adventure.

Stan B.

[I finally figured out this site, and now I'm reading posts I hadn't seen before, 'cause I didn't know how to find it all.]

 Hi,

When I just started out beading, I followed any project to a T, and if I couldn't find exactly the same materials listed, I wouldn't make it! That was because I was afraid of what might happen if I used or did "something different".

Now when i look through magazines or books, I look for inspiration, but still use them for some techniques,

for example, a project might incorporate a material or mix of techniques I hadnt thought of, or tried before, so I will learn from that, but mostly things like a colour combination or beads & findings I had not seen before will inspire me!

 As a beginner, I look to the projects for Bead ideas, color combinations, and technique how tos.  I have yet to copy a patteren but have used parts of them to learn.

No matter how much I like a photo, I am never tempted to copy the pictured piece. I don't think I've ever followed any pattern, even when I was a beginner. I think it's a matter of character rather than skill.

 I am a long time beader, and I still LOVE Step-by-step Beads and Stringing magazines because they are loaded with stringing projects. I'm not really into all the stitches much, never have been in my 20+ years of makeing jewelry. I DO like the basic wireworking techinques as they can really enhance strung items, so these magazines are perfect for me. I myself am a designer, so I don't generally copy anothers designs, even when it's "allowed" like a step-by-step project. I MIGHT copy the design, but use my own beads if I REALLY like something, but I usually use them for inspiration. I LOVE to see how people use different components, so I will learn a new way in which to use an unusual bead, say those corn-flake looking pearls I think are called Kashi pearls... I've NEVER known what do do with them, but a project used them and now I'd LOVE to try them in something else! I am planning on copying a design from the winter issue of Stringing, though with what supplies I myself have, because it is a design I would NEVER in my life think of, and I really like it, so while I'm copying the steps, I'm using my own supplies, which automatically means it will be different.

I would love to see a magazine that offered LOADS of inspiration pieces, and perhaps tutorials on unique techniques used in that piece, but not a total step-by-step guide... dont' know if that makes any sense.

Lois

When I am learing something, my first effort is often an exact copy, except I may change bead sizes and colors.

I think step by step guides are important, if only for that reason -- I like them for learning a technique, not for the whole project!  [sometimes the technique is the project.]

Stan B.

 In my opinion, The skill is important for beginners. step-by step following is kind of training. So, the right way to make instruction is important for beginner. After they know the technique they can make variation from there.

Inspiration is next step. I think it's difficult part. I read beadwork for many years from Korea. At the first time it was text book for me about step-by step skill learning but now it's inspiration for me.

Anyway great question and vauable replies. I was enjoy it.

I look to books and magazines only for inspiration. One reason is that I have so many beads in my stash and just don't want to buy new ones. So I go with what I have. Another reason is that following instructions step by step would bar my creative juices from flowing free. And I'm often sidetracked by considerations like "Oh, I can do that, but in another color." or "......with other beads!". Mostly I look for techniques and how they are used and create my own things. That keeps me from stealing a design from a fellow beader, which is something I absolutely try to avoid, even more when selling the pieces.