Artist Profile: International Winner Chain Contest - Katie Belcher

The international winner of our Chain contest comes from the United Kingdom. Katie Belcher won with her Chainmaille Cross Necklace. This necklace shows a neat application of the chainmaille jump rings to make a cross shape.

Tell us about yourself:

I am a wife and mother of two beautiful children, Finlay and Seanna. By day, I am a part time Math teacher. I've been teaching for over 10 years now. As well as being passionate about teaching, I love to be creative. I'm always looking out for some crafting project, whether it be learning new skills in jewelery making or creating cards to give to family. I love the challenge of creating personalized pieces, and knowing that each one is individual and specially made for one person. I am lucky to have such a supportive family who always encourages me to follow my dreams and do what makes me happy.

Katie Belcher

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?

A couple of years ago, I wanted a piece of jewelery to go with a maxi dress that I'd bought for the summer and I just couldn't find the right thing. So I thought I'd make something instead! I bought some beads and findings and created a necklace and bracelet that was perfect for my outfit. I got many positive comments about them, as well as a few requests to make gifts for friends and family.



 
What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?

At the moment, I am loving using hand stamps to stamp onto various metals. I love its random, organic look as opposed to a precise or machine made look; it's this that makes it unique and beautiful.

Who or what inspires your creative process?

I wouldn't say I have anyone in particular that inspires me but I find beads that I love and make something inspired by them, whether it be based on colour, shape or style.

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work?

I am on facebook: Beatificjewellry
My website: www.beatificjewellery.co.uk


Thank you to Katie and all of our entrants for sharing your designs with us. We love seeing what you all can create. Best of luck in your creative ventures!

Chain Maille Madness

Chain Maille fever has struck the Beadaholique crew and is quickly spreading through the ranks.


 
It all started when Beadalon came out with a new line of jump rings made specifically for popular chain maille weaves.   Available in 4 different finishes, and tons of sizes, these jump rings take a lot of the guesswork out of chain maille, and are ideal for use by beginners. 

Fig, our customer service guru, who has been doing metal work for years, immediately started experimenting with the products and our new Chain Maille Instruction booklets. He willingly gave advice and critiques to anybody who asked. 


 

 

Esther's European 4-in-1

Then Esther made an amazing European 4-in-1 bracelet using black links and brought it to work.  Andrea took up the challenge, and worked steadily every evening on a Dragonscale cuff. I wasn't far behind, and started working my way through all the weaves in the booklets.

Matthew's Byzantine and Full Persian. 

Soon Fig, Esther, Matthew, Andrea, and I were all bringing in chain maille projects that we were working on.   Discussions of weaves, aspect ratios, inner diameters and all things chain maille are now regularly heard in every corner of the office.

Andrea's Dragonscale Cuff

Chain Maille is an addictive art form and one we are all still working on mastering new weaves.   So don't be surprised when new Beadaholique how-to videos on Chain Maille start appearing!


-Julie

BTW: Bead Table Wednesday 5/4/2011

Andrea's Table

It's true... like many of my cohorts here at Beadaholique, I have caught the fever.  The chain maille fever, that is.  Here I have a (mercifully) finished Half Persian necklace, and the mangled, tangled beginnings of what I hope will become a lovely Turkish Round piece.  I've found chain maille to be both frustrating and rewarding, but apparently the rewards outweigh the frustration because, well, I keep on truckin'.

Julie's Table 

Color! When I first saw Swarovski's crystal capri blue bicone beads I just knew I had to use them. For several weeks I left them sitting on my work table, unsure what to do with them. Then yesterday I came across some heliotrope purple cultured coin pearls which give off a purple/blue shimmer naturally. The two ingredients seemed meant to be paired together. Add some lucite flowers and you have one happy beader here. 

Inspiration Monday: Renaissance Faire

It's Spring, which means in most parts of the country, it's fair and festival time. Last weekend I attended the Renaissance Pleasure Faire here in Southern California and came home eager to design. 

Hats, feathers, ribbons, and flowers abounded. I instantly thought of making some hair combs with long ribbons flowing off of them. In this picture in particular I love the wedgewood blue of this woman's skirt paired with the deep buttercup and browns of her bodice and shirt. That would make a fantastic color combination for a new design.

Diagonal Stripes! How fun and fresh do these performers' bodices look? They represent a popular design of the 16th century, but the wide bold stripes translated into a resin bangle bracelet would be fun and modern today.

This photo illustrates the color palette of the Renaissance period: deep crimson red, cobalt blue, black, gold, various shades of green. It's hard to see in the photos, but chain maille, celtic jewelry, forged metal pieces, and intricately beaded necklaces abounded.





If you want to design some of your own Renaissance inspired jewelry, here are some elements to get you started:

  

Have fun!

-Julie