Beadwork As a Spiritual Practice

Glass beads were first imported to France from Italy in the 14th century, and the early French settlers brought them to North America and introduced them to the Aboriginals in the 16th century.  Seed beads & smaller beads began to be used as embellishment on ritual objects from the early 1800s, hence, the practice of beading itself took on an important spiritual significance.

This form of artwork was a common way for them to express their spiritual beliefs, merging them with their culture and customs.  Bold solid colours, such as brilliant blues to represent the sky, yellows for the sun, reds & greens to represent plants & flowers, and browns for the soil were most frequently used. Aboriginals have always been closely in touch with nature and had a deep respect for it.

We can all incorporate many of the Aboriginal traditions in our own beadwork (or whatever art form we practice).  It was and is a common practice to include prayer as part of their beading rituals.  You can too.  Transform the time spent doing beadwork into a spiritual retreat.  It is an excellent approach to mindful meditation.  

To begin, light some incense or a candle, put on some relaxing music, and take a moment to clear your mind.  Focus on your connection to a higher power.  Allow spirit to flow through you.  You should never bead when you are sad or angry or depressed.  Your negative emotions will be reflected in your work.  Don't worry, 'bead' happy.  Your finished product will shine and so will you!

Another Native American beading tradition is to always include a 'spirit bead' in their work.  It's a bead that is the wrong colour, shape or size that is added somewhere in a piece of beadwork as a way to honor the Great Spirit & express humility.   A spirit bead is a reminder to the world that nothing created by human hands can be perfect. Quilters often intentionally incorporate an upside down or off-colour patch of fabric for the same reason.  

Most importantly, remember that creating art is a journey, not a destination! Don't stress yourself out. Allow 'spirit' to guide you in directions you never imagined or considered. Flow with the inspiration. Amazing creations will emerge!

And the Winners Are...

The draw for the November Giveaway Challenge has been done.  Congratulations to the following people...

Gail Accinelli

Kashmira Patel

Pine Ridge Treasures

Lori Schneider

Lady Grey

Robin Reed

Please contact me privately with your mailing address so that I can get your package out to you as soon as possible.  (bonnie at jasper-moon dot ca)

The clasp and small selection of beads are meant to inspire you.  This will leave you open to incorporating a number of elements from your own stash to create a unique, one-of-a-kind sensation.

Once you design and execute a piece of jewelry using all the components you receive in your package, send me a photo or two of your creation to post on my blog on November 30th.  Tell me about your creative process and how you came to make your piece.

When you send your photos to me by e-mail, please include a link to your blog, Etsy shop, website, etc.  I will add those to my blog post also.

I hope that those of you who did not win this draw will enter again next time. These giveaway challenges are going to become a regular event, probably four times a year.  Thanks for participating!

November Giveaway Challenge

Everyone loves a giveaway and challenges often stimulate creativity in directions we might not have considered going using components we may never have used before.  Free advertising for your Etsy shop or website is good too. So, why not combine the three into one, I reasoned?

This giveaway challenge will do that.  To participate, add a comment to this blog post expressing your interest and your name will be entered into a draw for one of six surprise packages that will include a clasp and a few beads to get you started.  The selection will be small and leave you open to incorporating a number of elements from your own stash to create a unique, one-of-a-kind sensation.

Here's the catch.  You must agree to design and execute a piece of jewelry using all the components you recieve in your package.  You will then send me a photo or two of your creation to post on my blog on November 30th.  When you send your pics to me by e-mail, please include a link to your blog, Etsy shop, website, etc.  I will include those in my blog post.

Increase your exposure to potential customers, get free stuff AND have fun all at the same time!  What could be better?

I don't like having to say this BUT please do not enter if you are unwilling or unable to fulfill the simple requirements, as stated above. Those who renege on their committment will be exempted from any future giveaway challenges.

The final draw will take place one week from today on Monday, October 22nd and the packages shipped out the following day. I can't wait to see what you will do with your surprise packages!  

P.S. Please make sure that I have a way to contact you if your name is drawn as one of the winners.  No e-mail address and I will have to select another name from the hat.

Colour & Design Idea Book

I carry a small notebook with me wherever I go.  You never know when something will come along to inspire a jewelry design.  If you don't have a way to record those snippets of inspiration, they will be gone forever.  At least, that's how it is with me.

There are advantages to carrying a notebook with you.  When you see a design idea that you would like to remember, to incorporate some elements in  future creations, you can instantly record it.  Or if you come across a photo in a magazine with a colour palette you like, you can cut it out and glue it into your colour & design idea book.

I take mine to the bead store when I go to select components for a new piece.  It would be very difficult to match the colours I have in mind without them in front of me to compare to.  I find it to be a very beneficial tool.

Aside from that, my memory isn't what it used to be.  You know what I mean?  If I don't write it down, record it in some way, I forget it.  *smile*  One of the 'benefits' of getting older, I guess.