My name is Erin and I am the creator of BeadfulStrings.

On Valentine's Day Eve in 2018, I had a stroke in the middle of the night. It disrupted and interrupted my life as I knew it, as you can imagine. I didn't know if I would ever be able to bead again, or cook, or be able to read a book, would I be able to drive, or... the questions stacked. That stroke changed the trajectory of my life in the best possible ways. Now my beadwork is made with a gratitude for being able to bead, it is made with joy, and with the intent that you will love your new jewelry.

This precious life is amazing!

The following was my original story. Thank you for being here!

When I was a little girl (like so many I'm sure) I would go through my mom's (and my sisters, but don't tell them) jewelry, and try the jewelry on in front of the mirror. My mom had beautiful vintage crystal jewelry handed down to her by my grandmother and beaded purses that I imagined I would one day wear in public (not just in the bathroom) with pride.

Time passed and late in 1996 I was in Seattle with my sister. We walked into a darling boutique that carried some of the most beautiful handmade jewelry. I fell in love, just like I was a little girl again. Of course I was young and couldn't afford more than a pair of earrings (barely, and they are still one of my favorite pairs of earrings). On the plane ride home I told my sister that I wanted to try and make jewelry.

My first creation was an eyeglass chain that I used for several years. It took me a while to actually make anything I would consider decent jewelry. I am completely self taught and have never taken a class.

There was a time when I thought I would never bead again (got married with instant family and a baby on the way), but after a few years my husband encouraged me to give it a try one last time, and open an Etsy shop. He set up my workspace, made shelves for my beads, and set me free. I haven't looked back.

People always comment on how I must be crazy to work with these tiny beads. I do spend a lot of time with them, but I feel most at peace when I'm able to work in the groove, counting out beads (perhaps not so much at peace when my thread gets knotted, but it just so happens I'm pretty good at untying knots, too) and seeing how they come together to form something beautiful.

I really love working with the tiny beads. They tend to create more delicate, silky, feminine pieces. However, I am bound by my creative process that dictates what I'm excited about at the moment, which might include bigger beads if the color is right.

Thank you for reading and I hope you like what you see.

By the way, I do wear my grandmother's costume jewelry with pride. In public!