MiniDuo Hoop Earrings by Nela Kábelová
Beaded by Sylvia Abeyta
During my first year away from my medical practice, before I owned a bead shop, I took a year to focus on creating. I spent many hours beading in isolation in my "bead room" in the basement. What I learned during that time was that the more time I spent down there, the more creative I became. Sometimes, the juices were flowing and I would bead throughout the night, and go to sleep as dawn was breaking. It was an ecstatic experience with my own inner artist. I was on a high. But as my creativity flourished, so did my isolation grow. My life became focused only on family and art. I felt empty of meaningful work that I had experienced in my medical career. I wanted to find a way to put my skills to good use for the community.
My own journey with beads was about self-healing. I had discovered beads while recovering from serious post-partum complications that affected both my body and my mind. When I finally made my way to stitching (from stringing), I found new light and sweetness in the darkness and pain of my illness.
During that first year that I stopped doctoring in 2009-2010, I attended a workshop at the NM Small Business Association on starting a small business. There, I was pushed to think about what my "mission" or purpose would be with my business. No one gets rich with beads and so individual beaders who decide to make beadwork their business don't do it for the money.
It is a labor of love, for sure.
At the time, there were plenty of bead shops in Albuquerque, and I had no intention of pushing my way into the beading ecosystem that seemed so in balance. I fantasized about having a shop one day. But I planned to wait for one of the shops to close, and then fill that niche that was already established. In the meantime, I would explore what my purpose and goals were
in a "beading business".
What I discovered at the NMSBA workshop was that my mission was to "Make beading accessible". I realized that I wanted anyone who wanted to give bead stitching a shot, to have a place to do that. A place where they would be supported, encouraged, and welcomed. That's why I love beginners! I knew there would be others struggling with the darkness and pain that life can present. Perhaps some would also find bead stitching a balm. Perhaps they would find solace in a bead mat with little piles of sparking colors, like I had.
Months later, when Margo Field announced she was closing her shop, I took this unexpected opportunity to give my fantasy a go. Over the 7 years of Poppyfield Bead Company's existence, access to beading has continued to be my goal. We have 3 free beading events every week. Beginners are welcome and encouraged at all of these: Monday's 6-8 PM Book Club and Open Beading, Tuesday's 1-3 PM Wire work Meet Up, and Friday's 4:30-6:00 Happy Hour. There's no registration. You just show up.
When I see others in the business, who relish the opportunity to share freely and create access to beading, I enjoy supporting them, and spreading the joy. The Matubo company has clearly devoted resources to make beading patterns accessible. Their "Inspiration" web page has plenty of patterns. Of course they, like I and all the others, need to sell our beads. It's how we stay in business. But, at the same time, it is obvious that making beading accessible is an important part of their mission.
Tomorrow's Happy Hour pattern is available on their webpage here
It is a great pattern for the holidays, because it works up quickly. And...depending on your color way, you can turn these into Christmas wreaths. Come join us, and enjoy some time inside our rainbow. Meet some nice people, have some laughs, and make something new.
You might feel even better than you already do.
Supplies Needed
**Available at Poppyfield Bead Company**
Bead Bundle available online here
Matubo MiniDuos (40)
4 mm Druks or Pearls (20)
3 mm Fire Polish (20)
11/0 Japanese Seed Beads
15/0 Japanese Seed Beads
Horseshoe Thread Protectors (2)
Earring Wires
Beading Needle
Thread
