Beadwork Magazine Inspires Through the Years

I was moving things around in my studio last week, recycling old catalogs (our public schools recycle as a fundraiser so it’s great motivation) and archiving magazines to storage – all to make room for the new!

Before I knew it, hours had passed, I had flagged a few designs I have yet to try, and read some articles that were great to revisit.

Beyond the inspiration, I was struck by how current the information is, regardless of when the issue was published — from business articles, to stitching basics, to beads to play with – it’s like a huge library of relevant information to draw from. This made me thankful for saving the issues and thankful I can now get the digital Beadwork Magazine 15-year collection. Not only will the collection give me a complete library, I will also be able to save space on the bookshelves!

Here are a few highlights from the pages I flagged:
May/June 2000 Beadwork issue had 3 wonderful articles on amazing women who are also prolific bead artists: Joyce Scott, Diane Fitzgerald and Connie Lehman; an inspiring article on beads by Margie Deeb; and a great looming article by Jeanne Leffingwell.

The June/July 2005 issue has a great A-Z listing of gemstone beads and a feature on Native American Indian beadwork. Worth noting, Native American designs are “on-trend” for 2016.

Dec2007/Jan2008 Beadwork magazine features artist Paula Ramsus DeDe. An article that was not only a great read it was also a treat for my spirit. Her designs brought a smile to my face and turned a grey day to one filled with color.

And this design by Melanie L. Doerman is one I’m taking with me (along with beads, needle and thread) as I make my way to Tucson next week!

Oct/Nov 2011 Beadwork magazine had this “Gypsy Gem Bracelet” design by Designer of the Year, Kelly Wiese

“Vision Necklace” made using RAW and picot stitches, by Designer of the Year Carol Wilcox Wells, and “Bubble Wrap,” a beaded bead and beaded rope bracelet by Designer of the Year Cynthia Rutledge

Bubble Wrap, Cynthia Rutledge, Beadwork, Oct/Nov 2011

The April/May 2014 Beadwork features this stunning bracelet design by Leslee Frumin, Designer of the Year, 2014

Seen on the cover of this issue is a bracelet my Mom and the ladies in her beading group are working on this week. Completely a coincidence we all chose this as a favorite (can’t wait to see the beads they bought this week and how their bracelets turn out!).

The list goes on and on, as the pages of every issue of Beadwork magazine holds designs each of us adore and long to create, and articles on those who inspire us. I challenge you to flip through your archives and pick out one (or two) of your favorites, then share them here with us at BeadingDaily.com.

Happy Beadwork reading!