My Love Affair with Beads
It all started with a bag of cheap plastic beads. I poured them into a shoe box and would run my fingers through them, cull them, string them, and repeat. Eventually I taught myself some basic stringing techniques and the addiction began! In the begining, I was keen on mastering all of the difficult beadweaving techniques like peyote stitch and right angle weave; however, these methods were laborious and did not produce the results I needed quick enough. I learned a few wire working techniques and combined this with my love of vintage jewelry and started making reworked vintage assemblage jewelry. In the spring and summer, I spend most Saturdays at flea markets, estate sales and garage sales, looking for vintage treasures in other people’s junk. The thrill of finding that one unique brooch or perfect pair of rhinestone encrusted clip-ons is just too much for me to pass up.
I enjoy combining elements of the old and new to create smart edgy looks. For example, I love the combination of bright candy jade or Lucite beads against the darkened background of tarnished vintage brass chain. My favorite materials to work with include vintage pearls, leaded crystal, semiprecious stones like jade, turquoise and pyrite, and most of all, rhinestones! A girl can never have too much bling! I strive to design pieces which are modern and in line with current trends, even though they are made with almost all vintage materials. I also focus on creating pieces that are comfortable and easy to wear, not too heavy, prickly or fussy! All pieces of BevaStyles jewelry are designed and made by me.
Currently, I am a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful and energetic boys (Logan,8 and Gabriel, 5). Before I had children, I was a medicinal chemist, working for a small private pharmaceutical company. I spent 8 years designing and synthesizing chemotherapeutic agents until 2009 when I became pregnant with my first son. Organic chemistry was definitely the ‘yin’ to my artistic ‘yang’. Having a jewelry making hobby created a great balance. Being a SAHM is definitely a full time job for me now. Finding time to create the jewelry means carving out time in the wee hours of the morning (like 4:00am) before anyone is awake and when the creative juices are flowing. Although this means I have to sacrifice sleep, in the end, it is very fulfilling for me to have this creative outlet to satisfy my artistic needs.
