BriarRose Designs
I have been designing and creating beaded jewelry for 12 years.
Primarily self-taught, my skills have progressed from simple stringing
to wire work, metalwork, and intricate off-loom bead weaving. My goal
is to create durable, wearable, affordable pieces that are uniquely
beautiful without being “quirky” or trendy.
Design influences are classic – Chanel rather than Versace. I love
technical challenges – how does one take a necklace from 1 strand to 5
and back to 1 without the use of mass-market findings? How to create a
beaded ruffle that looks like a wave, or a flower petal? What shape bead
will show off this open-weave pattern to the best advantage?
Materials include semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, Czech glass
and Swarovski crystal. For focal points and dramatic accents, I prefer
hand-blown or lamp-worked glass, purchased from local artisans as much
as possible. Stone cabochons from local cutters are also a favorite.
All wire work and wrapping is done by hand, spirals and other shapes
are made without the use of jigs. I hammer paddle pins or create ball head
pins with a micro-torch, and create figure- 8 jump rings. I hand cut rings for
Byzantine and other chains, and fuse fine silver for larger hammered
accents.
For off loom bead-woven pieces, I use an assortment of traditional
stitches – brick, peyote, netting - combined with my own variations.
(“Off-loom” means items are crafted using a needle and thread, sometimes
2 needles! – akin to needle-made lace, but with beads added.)
Most bracelets have handmade toggle or button-and-loop closures. I
use beads where a “traditional” jeweler would use metal to create a
bezel for a stone cabochon, or a20frame for a crystal pendant.
Crocheted bracelets and necklaces are created by first stringing the
beads on the thread in the appropriate pattern and then crocheting the
beaded thread into a tube.
Many designs are a combination of several techniques, adding to the
uniqueness of the piece.
I have been designing and creating beaded jewelry for 12 years.
Primarily self-taught, my skills have progressed from simple stringing
to wire work, metalwork, and intricate off-loom bead weaving. My goal
is to create durable, wearable, affordable pieces that are uniquely
beautiful without being “quirky” or trendy.
Design influences are classic – Chanel rather than Versace. I love
technical challenges – how does one take a necklace from 1 strand to 5
and back to 1 without the use of mass-market findings? How to create a
beaded ruffle that looks like a wave, or a flower petal? What shape bead
will show off this open-weave pattern to the best advantage?
Materials include semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, Czech glass
and Swarovski crystal. For focal points and dramatic accents, I prefer
hand-blown or lamp-worked glass, purchased from local artisans as much
as possible. Stone cabochons from local cutters are also a favorite.
All wire work and wrapping is done by hand, spirals and other shapes
are made without the use of jigs. I hammer paddle pins or create ball head
pins with a micro-torch, and create figure- 8 jump rings. I hand cut rings for
Byzantine and other chains, and fuse fine silver for larger hammered
accents.
For off loom bead-woven pieces, I use an assortment of traditional
stitches – brick, peyote, netting - combined with my own variations.
(“Off-loom” means items are crafted using a needle and thread, sometimes
2 needles! – akin to needle-made lace, but with beads added.)
Most bracelets have handmade toggle or button-and-loop closures. I
use beads where a “traditional” jeweler would use metal to create a
bezel for a stone cabochon, or a20frame for a crystal pendant.
Crocheted bracelets and necklaces are created by first stringing the
beads on the thread in the appropriate pattern and then crocheting the
beaded thread into a tube.
Many designs are a combination of several techniques, adding to the
uniqueness of the piece.
| Lori Sousa Beaded Jewelry |
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