Beading Artist Leslie Pope: Beadwork Cover Girl

When Leslie Pope saw her Wayfaring beaded bracelets on the Beadwork April/May 2020 cover, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Leslie admits that she shed a few tears and she was grateful to share the moment with dear friends. She says, “Never in a million years did I think one of my creations would make me a Beadwork Cover Girl.”

Wayfaring Bracelet on the Cover

Leslie and I were spectators at the Beadalon design competition during the Whole Bead Show in Tucson. When we greeted each other, Leslie asked me if her project was going to be on the cover of the magazine. She was joking, but I confessed that she was absolutely right! Leslie says, “My initial reaction was one of total disbelief. Even after your reaction to my off-the-cuff comment about my project on the front cover of Beadwork. I don’t know who had the more stunned look at that moment . . . you or me.”

Leslie shares, “The first person I wanted to share my success with was my mother. She was my biggest supporter in any endeavor I chose. We had many early conversations over cups of coffee on my creative future. Unfortunately, she did not live to see me graduate with my degree in fashion design. Since her death, my creative successes have had a slightly bittersweet edge. That’s why I got a little teary-eyed during the celebration and congratulations at the show. Luckily, I have wonderful friends who are able to fill that void a little.”

Seeing her jewelry design on the cover of Beadwork gave Leslie a sense of validation. She has been making jewelry for years and has created countless designs. This cover is an achievement she didn’t expect and one that people noticed. Leslie says, “I’m humbled by the all of the positive responses I have received from everyone . . . friends, family, beaders, and even complete strangers who saw the cover and sought me out online.”

Creative Life

Leslie started beading about 20 years ago. She runs her own creative business Twisted Sistah and she’s the Senior Designer at The Beadsmith. She says, “I’ve always been a creative person. I feel that I come by this naturally through my parents and other family members. My mother liked to draw, sew, embroidery and design the rooms in our house (not to mention being a fabulous cook and baker). She also had an extremely keen eye for color. My father was a master carpenter and avid gardener. He lovingly tended the prize rose bushes that he gave my mother for each of their 25 anniversaries.”

As a fashion design student at Drexel University, Leslie incorporated beads in most of her collections. She won the J.W. Smith Most Saleable Daywear award for her senior design collection of beaded knitwear. Leslie has a great eye for style and is trained to be able to see how things are constructed, which is helpful when she’s designing beaded jewelry.

Beads and fibers are sources of great joy in her life and Leslie loves sharing them with others as a vendor and an instructor at bead shows, online, and elsewhere. Leslie has built her business around her contagious passion for her craft. As the Senior Designer for Beadsmith, she loves seeing new products first and inventing ways to use them that spark creativity in other beaders. 

Leslie feels fortunate to have had many people, in addition to her parents, who have mentored her in various creative endeavors throughout her life. She says, “I would need to write a book to include them all. I believe that they all know who they are. I hope I’ve told them how much I appreciate their guidance and support.”

Wayfaring Bracelet

Leslie’s Wayfaring Bracelet uses ChevronDuos and baroque oval cabochons to make a striking statement. The chevron symbolizes movement and is a universal symbol of direction. This is a perfect project for advanced beginners to intermediate beadweavers who are looking for a quicker project. The main part of the bracelet is woven in a right-angle weave variation, while the edges are stitched in delicate picots. Cymbal Metal Fashion elements along the edges and at the ends provide a beautiful finish. The colorways are called Utopia, Tequila, and Petroleum. She has a limited number of kits available in her Twisted Sistah Bead Etsy shop.

Leslie has four artist’s tips for the Wayfaring bracelet:

1. As with any 2-hole beads, it’s a good idea check and make sure the holes are open before you begin stitching. This saves time as you stitch.
2. This project uses a lot of thread, and you will need to add new thread periodically. Use about 5 feet of thread at a time to keep the length manageable.
3. Working flat on your work surface will help with correct bead orientation and keep the thread from tangling around the beads. Maintain even tension.
4. When retracing thread paths, be careful not to skip any beads.

Celebrating Success

Leslie admits, “I still haven’t wrapped my head around having my work on the cover. It’s still very surreal, even though I’ve held the issue in my hand and had friends, family, and associates call, text or message me to offer their congratulations.” One of Leslie’s friends commented on her Facebook post saying, “It’s the coolest thing. You’ve landed where you were always meant to be.” Leslie feels proud that her work is gaining a bigger audience and she’s grateful for the outpouring of congratulations she’s received.  

Ever the instructor, Leslie says, “I always hope that my designs inspire others. Having my design on the cover of Beadwork gives me the chance to share my designs and inspire more beaders on a national stage.” Read more about Leslie in “Make Stunning Jewelry with Beading Artist Leslie Pope,” and look for more of Leslie’s beautiful designs in Beadwork issues to come.

Katie Hacker
Editor in Chief, Beadwork

Get the Leslie Pope pattern collection!