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Home STUDIO Memoirs from a bead addicts’ lair

Sandra Miller November 17, 2008 12 Comments

Memoirs from a bead addicts’ lair

I seriously know I have a problem…..I am usually noT this obsessive with things (welllllll maybe a little) but what is it that drives bead collectors to such lengths that they need to fill their house with these little orbs of color!!   It’s pure bliss to collect them and even more fun to just run your hands through them!!…yes, I’m still talking about beads….lol!

BELOW IS AN ENTIRE CABINET OF NOTHING BUT MY BEADS I PURCHASED IN AFRICA…INCLUDING THE EYE CANDY IN THOSE TOP DRAWERS…….THE HAND BEADED BEADS BY THE ZULU WOMEN

BEAD ADDICT'S LAIR....November 2008

I’m going to try to make it a habit of showing you more corners of my studio on the blog each week.  I know how much I enjoy seeing other artists work spaces….it helps make a connection with the art and the artist….. in this world of internet and email the blog is a great way to share this kind of stuff!.

BELOW IS MY STAGING AREA FOR THE BEAD BENTO BOWL COLLECTIONS

Getting these assortments done and ready to photograph takes about 5 days of browsing through my bead stash.  Once this tray of assortments are looking just perfect they go in to my photo studio to have their portrait taken which takes another full day.

After that…….those collections you see take another 25 minutes or more EACH to list on the site and describe the beads.  It’s  one of the most relaxing things I do in the studio but as you can see, very time consuming but a labor of love!

BEAD ADDICT'S LAIR....November 2008

BEAD ADDICT'S LAIR....November 2008

ABOVE AND BELOW:

Here are just a few of my large vintage 1950’s lucite beauties!! I have an absolute THING for lucite. Most of these are high quality Japanese or German made and uncirculated old stock. Many I purchased still in their original wrappers from the factory.

BEAD ADDICT'S LAIR....November 2008

BELOW……..AT PEEK AT SOME OF THE PINKS IN MY COLLECTION

BEAD ADDICT'S LAIR....November 2008

BELOW…A NECKLACE IN PROGRESS…..I USUALLY HAVE 2 OR 3 DESIGNS IN THE WORKS AT ONCE

A peek into the studio today...Sunday project

BELOW IS THE CUTEST LITTLE FROGGIE BEAD…THE STAR OF A NEW BEAD BOWL THAT WILL BE POSTED SOON

Swamp Love...close up of the bead

Filed Under: STUDIO

Comments

  1. Catherine says

    November 17, 2008 at 2:07 pm

    I know just how you feel!! Addiction is right! I have beads i bought 6 years ago that I’ve never used, I like to get them out and look at them and feel them! I have this weird thing with my favorites that if i use them, then they will be gone, must hoard them! So sad. And why do we feel the need to constantly organize and re-organize them? Crazy, right?? 

    Reply
  2. Mom says

    November 17, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    Wow! That really looks like fun. What a variety of beautiful unusual beads . Like no other.

    Reply
  3. Lois says

    November 17, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    Hi Sandra, WOW…I feel as if I am in good company…both you and Catherine have read my mind! Thanks so much for showing us pictures of your collection! I love seeing your beads and am jealous of all your beauties (and the fact you got to travel all over the world to accumulate them!) Lois 🙂

    Reply
  4. Rebecca says

    November 17, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    Sandy, Way COOL!!!  But addictions are addictions no matter what the media, eh?  Now if I could only show you a small corner of a fiber addicts world…LOL

    Reply
  5. Sandra Miller says

    November 17, 2008 at 6:14 pm

    You totally hit the nail on the head girls…so you also know how hard it is for me to part with a single bead…lol!  I get kind of emotional about them!  The connections to our travels make it doubly hard.

     

    The consolation is that those of you who end up with these bead bowls really DO …TRULY do them justice.   It adds to the fun when the beads can be shared this way.  I love getting pix of your finished works with my beads.

     

    Rebecca, send a photo of your fiber fetish!!!  I know you must have a room full! I adore beautiful fibers!!!

     

    Hi Mommy!!!!! Wish you were here to bead with me!!

    Reply
  6. Janette says

    November 17, 2008 at 7:53 pm

    Wow, thanks for showing…I think I know now what kind of organization system I need, :)Janette

    Reply
  7. Vonnie says

    November 17, 2008 at 10:45 pm

    Thanks for the peek into your corner of a bead addicts world! Everyone was absolutly right, we look, we sort, we re-sort, I do it too. It’s one thing we (me and my Grandbaby -Zoey aka Bead Diva) must do everytime she visits, usually the first thing we do. Then of course she always takes some home, yep she beads and loves to shop for beads. It’s all about the beads for her and she isn’t even 4 yet. 

    Reply
  8. Nancy says

    November 18, 2008 at 1:52 am

    Wow you have some beautiful beads, and so organized it makes me feel like a real slob.  I have a couple of those frog beads and other than earrings I am totally blocked with what to do with them to really make them the main object of the item. Just a total mind block, I’ve ripped apart everything I tried with them. Any quick ideas?  Also are those your nails holding the bead? I LOVE YOUR nail artwork, don’t tell me you did that yourself?Be well and God bless you,Nancy

    Reply
  9. Jan Kemp says

    November 18, 2008 at 5:10 am

    Oh….organizing beads is almost a daily task for me and one that either keeps me from creating or inspires me to create. It’s a form of insanity.

    Reply
  10. Jan Kemp says

    November 18, 2008 at 5:15 am

    I just have to say, that I have been thinking lately how I’ve been hoarding my stash. I really do hate to part with some of my very favs. But, I have just discovered, that by letting them go, it makes room for more beads…HELLO! And, a philosophical way of thinking of these beads as beautys that come into my life for a while to be cherished and then let loose into the wild in a new creation to be cherished further.

    Reply
  11. Jan Kemp says

    November 18, 2008 at 5:20 am

    In response to Nancy’s post: Sandra, I’d like to know how you keep your nails looking so beautiful when using tools, opening and closing jumprings,  firing new pendants, etc.???!

    Reply
  12. Vonnie says

    November 18, 2008 at 8:20 am

    HEY!I just got the “Lilypond Bowl” , what can I say…besides I love it! The froggie is just the cutest. And everything else is just up to your usual high standards. With some of your and some of mine, it will make quite a lovely piece which I will keep all to myself, thinking a double strand, will surely send you a pic when I am done, may be a few weeks have some other things pending.Thank You again and can’t wait till you put some more up that I can get my hands on.Peace!

    Reply

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