Friday Findings: Beadweavers, How Long Does that Take?

Being a bead-stringer, I do not pretend to be a beadweaver by any means. Although I very often view with awe, the woven pieces other jewelry artists make. I can’t imagine being able to sum up the patience and imagination that beadweaving must demand, I mean really – in my opinion beadweavers must have the patience of a saint!

This week on Friday Findings, I’ve selected four of my favorite indie weaving artists and some pieces that I've been admiring from afar and gathered the group together for the sole purpose of asking each artist – How long did that take?

DRAGONFLY IN THE SPRING NECKLACE- 16 Hours
From No Easy Beads




















This intricate DRAGONFLY IN THE SPRING Necklace above was designed by Beverly Herman at No Easy Beads. Bev is an expert beadweaver who has been designing jewelry for 12 years. She got her start after her daughter first entered college, and has been weaving ever since. According to Bev, this exquisite DRAGONFLY IN THE SPRING Necklace took approximately 16 hours to make.

She created the necklace strap using the diagonal peyote stich with 10/0 delica twist seed beeds in Matte Metallic Patina Iris. Then, she used a circulator peyote stich to capture the dragonfly art bead, which comes from Earthenwood Studios. Bev does beautiful beadweaving work, so visit her at: http://www.noeasybeads.com, http://www.noeasybeads.blogspot.com and http://www.noeasybeads.etsy.com.


WHISKEY GODDESS PENDANT NECKLACE- 6 Hours
From CatROCKS – Rockin’ Goddess Adornment















This WHISKY GODDESS Hessonite Grossular Garnet and Copper Deeply Woven Pendant Necklace above was designed by Cat Cooke at CatROCKS. Cat started weaving gemstones after she quit her crazy 9-to-9 career and was looking something to keep her creativity flowing and her hands busy.

In her own words, Cat wove this pendant necklace gemstone by gemstone, just like a puzzle. First, she built the frame and wire wrapped it, and then wove the sub-structure in which her gemstones now sit. The entire piece took her approximately 6 hours to design and finish. Cat, this is exquisite! Be sure to visit her at: http://catrocks.etsy.com


SUNFLOWER EARRINGS - 3.5 Hours
From Triz Designs


















The stunning SUNFLOWER EARRINGS were designed by Patrizia Tager of Triz Designs. Patrizia started beading as a little girl and once she became a parent, she enrolled in a few project classes and was hooked. Her sunflower earrings were made using the fringing and the Brick Stich (which, by the way, is a stitch she learned only a few weeks ago). Didn’t she do great?

According to Patrizia, the entire design took about an hour to work out and then another 2.5 hours to make. Patrizia, I love these earrings! Be sure to check out her designs at: http://triz-beadingmania.blogspot.com and http://triz.etsy.com


SNICKERDOODLE NECKLACE - 2 Hours
From Regal Beads















Kim at Regal Beads started beadweaving about five years ago, after being invited by a neighbor to a attend a weekly beading group. One of her bead lady friends helped her get started her first netted piece, and Kim has been addicted to beading ever since.

Although Kim creates many complicated and intricate designs, I really liked the simplicity of her SNICKERDOODLE necklace, which was a pattern designed by Sandra D. Halpenny. This charming necklace took approximately two hours to make, and it looks really great! Please visit Kim at: http://regalbeads.blogspot.com and http://regalbeads.etsy.com

Well ladies, thanks so much for sharing your work with us today. Stay tuned for a wire-wrap artist who beads big bling in tomorrow's Saturday Sparkle post.

Happy Friday!