Maybe like me, you grew up among the notion that jewelry is, at best, gewgaw for the shallow minded. Or, at worst, a prop for the vain. That jewelry is no more than playing dress up; meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
Decades ago I worried that I was devoting a large part of my life to a frivolous pursuit that, in the end, would prove it misspent or squandered. But now, after having explored every aspect of jewelry from the ornamental, to the academic, to the aesthetic, and to the most fascinating for me, the psychological and emotional, I’ve come to a secure peace in knowing this: I have devoted much of my passion to precisely the right thing for me and my growth.
An excerpt from The Beader’s Guide to Jewelry Design speaks to what I’ve discovered.
The result? Magic.”
An alchemical magic happens when we commit a deliberate act of love and beauty.
Before I design jewelry for a friend I spend considerate time imagining. My mind sweeps through years of scenes. I see her laughing, talking, turning her head. I mentally sort through what I know she finds beautiful in books, movies, relationships, nature, art. I sense who she is beyond words. Like sculpting clay, I form these sensations into an object of beauty. She will drape this beauty on her Self, and it will temporarily become part of who she is.
Beyond artistry, talent, and skill, this is an act of love.
When we make (or choose) jewelry for ourselves, the process is more intuitive and rapid. But it is no less than – nor should it be – an act of love. And when a woman loves herself it has a profound impact on this world. This world where many women are raised to hate their bodies, hate themselves, see themselves as less-than, put their wants, desires, and needs beneath those of others.
Creating, choosing, and wearing jewelry can be an act of love that can have a profound impact on the world. It will start imperceptibly small: You may not be aware of it. But it can touch each person you interact with. And from there, expand infinitely.
Now when I hear the notion that jewelry is a fribble of vanity I smile. We jewelry designers know the truth, even if we’ve not put words to it, even if we’re not fully conscious of it. We know the necklace itself is a symbol, a reflection of the love and beauty that went into creating or choosing it. And we know the life-affirming power we feel when we suffuse our lives and ourselves with love and beauty.
12 comments
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August 5, 2014 at 7:15 pm
melissa
Thank you for this blog post Margie. I’m thankful it arrived in my inbox today. Reading your words warmed my heart immensely. I am making a beadwork neckpiece for a woman whose young son was murdered in 2003. She is now a very public woman as her and her husband launched an initiative as a legacy for their son, to help save other children. I have not met her personally, but know her only through the media. We have exchanged words via email, however it is proving difficult for me to design something for her. I am beading this purely for love itself sort of an extension of my heart to hers.
August 5, 2014 at 9:32 pm
colorforbeadartists
Dear Melissa,
How beautiful you’re beading a neckpiece from your heart for one who suffered such a tragic loss. That touches me. If you feel comfortable saying, may I ask what kind of trouble you’re having? Do you know what is “inhibiting” your creativity? (Don’t feel pressured to answer if this question is too personal.)
Thank you for what you are giving to the situation, and what you gave to me through your words.
August 5, 2014 at 10:23 pm
Karron
Margie. I am coming to this point in my beading evolution. I want to slow down on the making for making sake and create for all. Designing and Creating with beadwork is “An Act of Love”.
August 6, 2014 at 8:49 am
colorforbeadartists
Thank you for reminding me, Karron. Creating for the sake of creating can be a sacred domain. I’m fulfilled when I work in that space, as opposed to working to get it done.I appreciate you taking the time to read and respond.
August 7, 2014 at 10:58 am
Anne Bellissimo
This is a great post. I am not a beader (see my Amazon review of Beader’s Guide),but the need to create and the reasons for doing so are rarely addressed. Thanks.
August 7, 2014 at 11:03 am
colorforbeadartists
Thank you, Anne. I know what you mean: millions of books talk about how to create, or enhance your creativity.
Whether I’m creating in beads, words, musical notes, or paint, at the very core, love is involved.
August 7, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Noreen
What a beautiful statement about women and art and life. I’ll make sure that my artist (and non-artist) friends see this. Thank you for sharing your inspiring work. I love your new book and it’s just what I needed, especially for making jewelry in proportion to a person’s features and clothing.
August 7, 2014 at 3:01 pm
colorforbeadartists
Thank you so much, Noreen. I appreciate your response.
I’m glad you find the chapter, “Jewelry and the Body” valuable. It was really fun to write and illustrate.
August 12, 2014 at 4:13 pm
Veralynne
How beautiful….creativity. I think it is what defines us whether like it was said it is with art or macaroni…all of us have a creative bone. It is just up to us to use it and not tuck it away…my creativity is my release, it helps keep me calm even when it doesn’t go my way. I learn and move on. Thanks for reminding us!
August 12, 2014 at 4:26 pm
colorforbeadartists
I understand about creativity being a release! I go a bit nutty if I haven’t been created in more than 2 days! Thank you, Veralynne.
December 7, 2014 at 5:58 am
Ronel
When I related to a customer that beading is my therapy , she replied :
“you must be very broken “.
Thank you for this article – I often wonder whether my love of creating with beads isn’t just a ‘useless’ skill. It is in fact something that flows from a deep place and it’s not possible to block this flow.
January 26, 2015 at 11:54 am
colorforbeadartists
It does flow from a deeper place. How wonderful to *not* block the flow.