"What are you going to do with that?" You've probably fielded this question at some point in your creative sewing, painting, journaling, or crafting efforts. I'm pretty sure I've tried to answer it myself a number of times along the way. It could be asked regarding my latest interest- that of making boho beads. Boho is short for bohemian, and the design characterized by a unique and free-spirited feel. These tiny creations crafted from fabric, beads, metallic threads, yarn bits, and wire are just flat out fun to make.
I could feel badly about making things that have no specific use, but nope- I don't. I saw a quote in Deryn Mentock's Jewelry Maker's Design Book (pictured below). It really summed up my thinking on the subject of giving in to the creative urge without an end use in mind. She said, "..a maker-of-things can't give up making things." So it's really more about the process than the product.
And on and on it goes. Just as with journal making and quilting, while working on one project, six others are taking shape in my head!
Most of these beads are ones I've made, but several contain components that I received in a handmade bead swap. I just "tarted them up" a bit more with additional charms, beads and dangling things.
And I did make use of one of my boho beads. I added it to the latest charm necklace. It looks right at home there with the button, thimble, and yo-yo charms. And I do plan to add some of the beads above to the spine of a journal or two. That is, when I pause for awhile in making the beads!
Here's the cover of the design book I borrowed from the library. And if you'd like to see how to make the boho beads, there are lots of good tutorials on YouTube. Here is one of them.
8 comments:
I absolutely ADORE these beads, Nancy. You and Deryn have just given me permission to make things this April with no specific end use in mind. I like how you put it: "it's more about the process than the product." I'm over the moon for these beads, dear. They are truly incredible.
What fun and so inspiring…thanks for sharing. And you are right….we don’t need a reason. But if you are looking for other uses for these beauties….they’d make wonderful distintive scissors fobs…..
WOW..wow...wow....these are fantastic! I can see them being used for zipper pulls, closures...so many uses and even just decorative on an art piece or your journals...like I need to give you any ideas! WONDERFUL!!!!
these are wonderful! Plus you are using up some of your "stuff". Surely you will find many uses for them. They could jazz up a wrapped gift better than a bow. More and more I am taking my extra stuff that I've made and just hanging it in a tree in my forest. Then I get to enjoy seeing these things on my walks. although recently I hung a small mixed media piece and now I can't find it. Either I hung it too out of the way or something took it. A squirrel? Raccoon? Maybe it is hanging in a coyote den now.
Process is everything ♥ Love your beads
Well, Nancy, you've done it again!!
They are fabulous!
I hope you see this, Nancy. For reasons I won't go into, I have been locked out of blogger. This is a devastating problem for me, especially since I am in the middle of my recycle campaign. However, I have set up a HOPEFULLY temporary blog to get me through until I can reclaim mine. Please tell everyone you know, and please visit me starting tomorrow (April 20) at:
https://alteredbooksandmixedmedia.blogspot.com/
Even if you don't normally visit me daily, I could use the support right now. Thank you and Happy Easter, dear friend.
In case you haven’t heard or read, I’ve now regained control of my original blog and have even posted on it.
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