Showing posts with label Delicas®. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Delicas®. Show all posts

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!