Spring cleaning!

For the past couple of weeks I've been going through my stash of beads and gem stones, and trying to organise them in such a way I get to see all of them on the table and get inspired. So far it's been an uphill task because I can't get much done before having to go to the market, do the laundry, prepare meals, meet the children for lunch, take my daughter to dance classes or piano lessons...

Although I've been beading steadily, experimenting with new ideas, I've not really completed anything worthy of mention yet. Take yesterday for example. I got this really cool idea for a bracelet only to find I didn't have all the components needed to experiment with and that meant another trip down to my suppliers. Another frustration with the suppliers is the limited stocks they have. Many people make their own jewelry now but they look for the cheapest parts. I'm looking for better quality components so I have to order online. Two weeks ago, I was looking for bead caps. The ones they had in the store (their best quality) was 6 caps for S$4.00. The ones I was looking for was S$50 for ONE! Needless to say they didn't have it.

Someone asked me the other day how long it takes to come up with a new design. Well, I carry a sketchbook with me everywhere I go so I can draw or write down ideas. After sketching it out, I sit at my studio desk for hours, flipping through magazines and books for inspiration, looking through my bead stash and trying to come up with the right combination of colours. Then I start putting my ideas to thread and needle. Sometimes it takes a few days of experimentation before I come up with a combination of colours that I like. Once that's settled, I start on making the whole piece. Many times I've had to cut up everything and start all over again for various reasons like the beads don't sit properly, the piece is not comfortable when worn etc etc. It may take a few weeks for the design to be completed and ready to sell. I always wear the new designs just to make sure it falls nicely. But you'll be pleased to know I'm always working on more than one piece at a time!

Check back again next week. I hope to have something to show you!