Loving working with a few bigger beads, stringing wire and crimps to try compositions. I haven’t reached a state of flow with these yet but I’m so enjoying the practice period. Can’t wait to crack it, I love this driven feeling that compels me to keep iterating.

What comes to me first when I draw are beaded patterns. I’m trying to work out spacing and angles. The irony is that I rarely translate the drawings into beadwork.

It’s been years since I did the kind of bead embroidery that would bring the drawing below to life. Maybe it’s time to try it again.

I’ve been thinking of ways to add a little flourish to my single sea urchin earrings. Usually I would go full “more is more”. I wanted to find a way to add some embellishments without crowding the sea urchin. I’d seen some lovely graphic jewellery made with beading wire, big bold beads and crimps.

I had been wrestling with good ways to attach my sea urchins to ear wires and the two plans collided. I love a practical design solution. So, I placed the eBay orders for materials and had to wait a few days which is always frustrating!

Anyway, the wire arrived yesterday and I made these earrings late in the evening before bed.

They don’t have the balance and ease I was hoping for but good first attempt and good enough to test drive for comfort and durability.