Friday, July 10, 2009

Why Seed Beads?

So, Marcia had a great question today: Why seed beads? Why do we choose tiny, infuriating bits of glass as our medium?

Have you noticed that most of us who work with seed beads are not exactly known for being patient? Take note the next time you are in a group of seed bead fanatics. Take me for instance. I am hardly patient. When I want something I want it NOW. I want results immediately, yesterday even. I like easy recipes that have little prep time and almost no cook time. I speed read, skimming the pages. But I can take the time (anywhere from two hours to six weeks) to work with the tiniest beads to create something like this:

Autumn Blooms ©2009 Theresa Buchle

Comment: Oh my gosh, you must have really good eyes.
Response: I just use very good lighting while I work and wear my glasses.
Comment: How long does it take?
Response: Well, that depends on what I'm doing, how I'm feeling and how many mundane interruptions occur.
Comment: Wow, you must have a lot of patience!
Response: See above.

Why do I love seed beads? Have you looked at the color choices available to us today? Delicas® alone are available in almost 900 colors! That kind of boggles the mind, doesn't it? I also love the fact that I can take that little bit of glass, a needle and thread and then make the most luscious creation:

Sea Urchin ©1997 Theresa Buchle

If you work with seed beads, tell us why. Why did you choose them? Why do you stay with them? Could you live without them?? Inquiring beaders would like to know!

13 comments:

Carol Dean Sharpe said...

I have an addiction; that's why, Silly! ;p

Amber Leilani said...

haaahhaaa!!!
i find it very interesting that i get the exact same questions! hmmm... and i almost always give the exact same answers.

besides the eye ,time, and patience answers i give, i always tell people - very honestly - i love making something out of nothing. beaders can start with ONE bead and make a gorgeous, unique, mindblowing creation.

of course, i have absolutely NO patience with anyone or anything and think the rules do not apply to me. so, to sit down and loose myself in the creation of something that no one else has any hold over, is the best feeling in the world to me!

Bead-Mused said...

Well, duh CD. But why else? What caused the addiction? Who enabled you? (evidently I enabled quite a few when I sold beads)

Bead-Mused said...

Amber, you hit the nail right on the head!

Melody Marie Murray said...

Because they are there. ;-)

Because there's an ineffable satisfaction in working with nearly atomic-sized particles.

Because translating my particular vision into beads just works better than using any other media.

Because they are shiny. And the ones that aren't shiny are still mesmerizing.

Because someday I'll be able to buy an island with a few hanks of beads.

Because they touch something elemental in everyone.

There's plenty more...

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I think everyone that works with seed beads would answer these questions the same way.

I don't need to be enabled...its just a part of me. Part of the package.

Bead-Mused said...

Ooooo Melody, talk seed bead to me!

Bead-Mused said...

Carol, I totally understand. I bead; therefore, I am.

Anonymous said...

Have to.

Bead-Mused said...

Very succinct!

By the way, beadlings, go visit Marcia's blog and read, then follow the links as several seed bead artists have also taken up the thread today!

SarahKelley said...

As Melody said-- you can do things with seedbeads that you can't do with other beads.

Being patient isn't really part of the equation. Maybe being determined is . . .

Bead-Mused said...

I agree, Sarah -- determination is a very big factor.

Unknown said...

I agree, I'm not very patient when it comes to beading but I love the challenge of making something look realistic using tiny little glass beads.
creativityjewelry.etsy.com