A Bead Muse Muses Archives

Changing Lanes Again: It’s always fun!

By Anne Marie January 20, 2021 January 18, 2021 0

Changing lanes again is always fun, at least to me it is. But then again, I’ve always loved change, even though I’m probably one of the few that actually welcome it. Why would you want to keep doing the same old things, when you get a chance to enrich your life with a whole world of new things. It’s exciting, energizing, but scary just the same. Why not try something new, especially in these social distancing, and quarantining days. Just do it! Heaven knows, we need a dash of excitement in our lives, so why wait? How would you do this? …

A Bead Muse Muses

Jewelry Trends 2021 – What do the designers say?

By Anne Marie January 13, 2021 January 12, 2021 0

As far as Jewelry Trends 2021 goes, the world is our oyster!! The designers say, what the designers say, but then it’s up to us to interpret them to suit our fancy. I always start by Googling “Jewelry Trends 2021” (insert the current year), and then choose the very best to share with you. Some are lovely, others ugly, then still more, not all that practical. So, we take what we can, out of each design, then make it our own. NYFW (New York Fashion Week), says that pearls, chains, and charms are still hot for Fall/Winter (2020/2021). Forbes said …

A Bead Muse Muses

December 2020 Bead Mat Update _ Ring in the New Year with beads!

By Anne Marie January 6, 2021 January 5, 2021 0

My December 2020 bead mat update is late, because I forgot about it. BeadFX was closed for the holidays, and I was vegging out! However, I did redeem myself, by ringing in the new year with beads. I spent New Year’s Eve, stitching on my Free-form Peyote “Dancing” piece, and watching sappy movies. No, I didn’t stay up until midnight, because nothing much was going to change overnight. “Dancing” is now very sculptural, but that’s not all! It’s becoming an interesting backdrop, for other pieces. Next up on my December 2020 bead mat update, earrings! I decided to experiment with …

A Bead Muse Muses

Good Riddance 2020 – Come to Mama 2021!

By Anne Marie December 30, 2020 December 29, 2020 2

Good riddance 2020 is an appropriate title for this blog post! It has not been a good year overall, so I’m certainly not sorry to see the back of it. It has been devastating for many, but beading, stitching, arting, and crafting in general, has helped to keep many of us sane, grounded, and in control of our emotions. When this is all over, you will see that there has been a renaissance in the beading, quilting, sewing, and knitting/crocheting movements. I’m sure that there are other crafts out there that I might have missed, but you get the picture! …

A Bead Muse Muses

Retro Gifting Post: Exploring your options!

By Anne Marie December 23, 2020 December 22, 2020 0

My retro gifting post, is not intended as a “how to” post, but rather an introduction to possibilities. Beading, and crafting in general is a pretty wide field, but we are all in it together, so let’s have some fun! First, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays, or whatever else you celebrate! I know this has been a dismal year, but it’s almost over, and things will get better in 2021, so let’s get crafting! First up on my retro gifting post are some of the simpler items. Next, a little more complicated, but …

A Bead Muse Muses

Gifts and Stuff – Oh the possibilities!

By Anne Marie December 16, 2020 December 15, 2020 0

Gifts and stuff are definitely the stars in this blog post! No, not an instructional post, but rather an exploration of possibilities. I’ve been making presents, for friends and family, for most of my adult life! I don’t have photos of earlier ones, but I’ve been keeping records of my favourites, for quite a few years. Not all were actually gifted, but all would be appropriate. Sit back, relax, and enjoy my gifts and stuff show! Retro is good! Let’s start out with a few favourites! Many were workshops, but somehow I managed to squeeze a few gifts out of …

A Bead Muse Muses

This and That 2020 – and that’s how the story begins!

By Anne Marie December 9, 2020 December 8, 2020 0

This and that 2020, is definitely how the story begins! What else could you expect? I have not been particularly creative this week, because I was rushing to get some parcels in the mail (all that wrapping is tiring). I made my deadline, so now I get to sit back and relax. Not really, because I still need to work on my in-town gifts, but at least I have a couple more weeks (I work fast!). Toronto, retail is shut down now (don’t get me started on the exceptions, which I’m personally boycotting), so Christmas shopping is a totally new …

A Bead Muse Muses

Breaking News – and a few views!

By Anne Marie December 2, 2020 December 1, 2020 0

My breaking news, is that I’ve been published again, in the Winter Issue of the Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine. Two feature articles! The Senior Managing Editor, asked if I was interested in submitting pieces for the December issue. I said yes, then we agreed on two collections, and I mailed them to California. One Amulet Pouch, and three Bead Embroidered Pendants were accepted. I’m absolutely thrilled, as this is an exceptional magazine. Thank you Amber Demien! Enough breaking news, now a few views! I purchased some felt balls (9” in circumference, like a dryer ball, only softer) through Monika, at The …

A Bead Muse Muses

November 2020 Bead Mat Update – Lots to say about nothing!

By Anne Marie November 25, 2020 November 24, 2020 0

My November 2020 bead mat update, has lots to say about nothing! But there’s certainly lots to do, so don’t worry about the state of this blog post. Toronto has gone back into lock down, for 28 days (count back to Monday), but that doesn’t mean that we’re not allowed to bead!!! Our retail doors have shut temporarily, but our on-line business is open 24/7. We’re ready to go, and have a 20% off almost everything in the store, sale on right now. No, we don’t fill your orders 24/7, because that would be crazy!! But the BeadFX computers are …

A Bead Muse Muses

Just Do Something!

By Anne Marie November 18, 2020 November 17, 2020 0

If just do something isn’t enough of a clue, then I don’t know what the heck I will do with you! It’s time to keep safe, and hunker down, while remembering to explore your creativity. I predict that there will be an awful lot of handmade gifts this year, and a quick visit to BeadFX, will help you to explore your options, yet still add that spark, to stir you to action. Of course, if you’ve been reading my blog posts, you will definitely figure out that I don’t just bead! I call myself a mixed-up media artist, because I’m …