Bubble Beadwork
I was first introduced to Bead Embroidery in winter of 2010. It was one of those frigid winters where you would rather be indoors than endure the blistering air in your lungs. That year I also began having problems with my health. I was forced to stop running through my busy schedule and concentrate on feeling better. To do that, I had to find an outlet that didn't require physical exertion and helped relieve the emotional distress that comes along with a chronic digestive illness.
And as fate would have it, one day I went to visit a friend of mine, Amy, when she pulled out a necklace she made using her newest craft: bead embroidery. The moment I saw the colorful rows of perfectly placed beads, I was hooked. Within the month Amy gave me the push that I needed by giving me a beginners embroidery kit. From that day on many of my nights have been filled with sore hands and tired eyes, but my heart and mind always feel at peace once I have created a final product.
Over the years my relationship with beading had its ups and downs. At times I can connect to my creativity at a moments notice. Other times I feel blocked and have to really work to tap into it - sometimes I can't access it at all. But, eventually, we always come back to one another. And like an old friend, we can always pick up where we left off.
Thinking back, I realize that in order to cope with my health issues, I had found a creative outlet that worked within my physical limitations; within my "bubble" as my friends lovingly called it. So I decided to embrace this concept and what I was able to do, rather than wallow in what was no longer an option. My illness forced me to stop moving from one thing to the next, so I was able to be present with both the good and the bad. I got to really learn a craft and how to use it to express the thoughts and feelings that had taken a backseat to the routine of daily life. I got to take my time and create something beautiful, just because.
Whenever I sit down to bead the slow pace, vibrant colors, tiniest of objects, and technique always pull me back into a state of natural calm. Because no matter how stressed I am or how quickly I want to work, beading can't be rushed.
I hope that my pieces can help other people see beauty in the small things.
If you are interested in a custom order, please contact me via etsy or my email: jessie.moench [!at] gmail.com . Thank you for your interest and your support!