Beads are the best. There I said it. In fact, I bloody love them! My mum is one who knows best, that I am notorious for not finishing sewing and knitting projects but beading is something I really love and need to make more time for.
I remember being blown away by beading, when seeing a beaded bouquet resting on a grave stone on holiday in France, when I must have been eight or so. And for the rest of that holiday, my family and I attempted to recreate the bouquet we saw, making up techniques and using whatever beads we came across. Which looked a lot more like a bundle of flowers, pictured below. Perhaps, it is that they are like mini gems - maybe that's what makes them so alluring.
The next time bit of beading that I came across that blew my mind away was at The Power of Making exhibition at the V&A. It was a Haitian voodoo flag on display (similar to the ones below). Which showed beading in a very different technique; they were 2D and creating a narrative, rather than being floral and (slightly) twee. They are great and the time spent making them is awe inspiring.
After having missed out on a fantastic Cadbury's beaded bag on ebay, I am determined to do some beading over the Christmas holiday and finally break my pattern of in complete projects!
Beading should be seen as a material, rather than a style - not limited at all in it's forms and style
