Arts & Crafts

I was one of those creative kids who had to have their hands in everything arts & crafts. I was the poster child for ACMoore because that's where I spent most of my money as a youngster. You name the craft, I tried it, invested a fortune in the materials and did it hardcore for about a month or two, give or take. Some hobbies came and went--like scrapbooking and rubber stamping--and some hobbies I've stuck with--like painting, and obviously, BEADING.

My beaded bangles, circa 2000.

Over the years I've learned new bead weaving techniques through bead classes, books, magazines and trial and error. I love combining stitches and patterns to create new and unique pieces. This art and craft has definitely stuck!

My bead embroidered cuff, circa 2011.

Beading with Sherry Serafini

What a great way to start my beader's blog--with Sherry Serafini!

Sherry is a master beader and I consider her the Micheangelo of beading. Her beading is visionary, inspiring and beautiful, and I would use the same adjectives to describe the woman herself. Sherry creates the most incredible pieces of jewelry and wearable art. She is an inspiration (and idol) to me.

Me and Sherry Serafini

Here is a close-up of the bead embroidered neck piece Sherry created and generously let me wear for our photo together:

Just a few other works of art created by Sherry Serafini:

I had an incredible opportunity to bead with Sherry Serafini on a Bead Retreat sponsored by the South Jersey Bead Society. A group of fantastic women spent two full days learning bead embroidery techniques from Sherry Serafini. We worked on two projects:

Sherry Serafini's Rocken' Wavy Cuff

Sherry Serafini's Shanghai Pendant

Sherry had kits available for us to use to create these two projects. But because I have such a massive bead stash of my own, I decided to bring my own materials for both projects.

My Rocken' Wavy Cuff is coming along...

My Shanghai Pendant is coming along a little slower.

Beading is definitely a process! Keep checking back for more photos of my progress and to see the finished products!

I'd like to thank Sherry Serafini and the lovely gals from the South Jersey Bead Society and attending guests from the Bead Society of Eastern Pennsylvania for a wonderful beading experience.

Let it bead,
Marla

Welcome to Beaded Expressions by Marla

Thanks for visiting my blog. It's still "under construction." But in a few weeks you will find pictures and descriptions of my latest bead projects, so check back soon!