As the New Year opened up, I found myself drawn to work with colourful glass beads. I dove down deep and focused on the creative process and started a few new 2025 projects.
Knotting silk thread tight against colourful glass beads proved magically mesmerizing and meditative. I was reminded of praying The Rosary as a young girl ... and the spiritual significance of spheres in Ancient Civilizations. The practice of fingers moving over orbs as a way of meditating to raise one's soul's heavenly consciousness while it discovers universal truths. That particular practice is behind me now, and it's probably a good thing because if I remember correctly, it was more an effort in spewing memorized words out as fast as possible so I could see if I would get something I was asking for (probably a bike). And that bike was a long-time in coming. And I became rather pissed off I had to be so impeccably good for so long.
I was not that impressed
... still waiting for the meek to inherit the earth, too
Poignant during these times.
but ... Back to Earth!
As OneSeedWonders gets ready for Valentine's Day
+
(GALentine's Day & PALentine's Day)
I'm knotting lots of beads!
There's a 24-hour rest before cutting the silk threads because it takes that long for the glue dabbed on two places at the one end to cure.
Once it sets, I clip them!
I did make a few Kits, as usual, so others can enjoy the experience, too.
I love making sets that reflect light and are grounding
I know
slightly out there
BUT I like that it is ...
I enjoy playing outside the box ... using exceptions-to-the-rules-thinking ... while using rules to illuminate what exists thus far - other people's rules. They're ok, but it's fun making up a few of our own - right?
I added Gift Certificates to the shop because bespoke requests require a back-and-forth discussion on custom orders to decide on just the right colours and sizes, etc.
There are a dizzying number of potential ways to personalise a set!
I've been playing with a number of these configurations ...
But I digress again
Back to this set ...
Using the glue's precision tip, I cover the knot at the end beside the clasp with a drop of glue - just enough to hold the threads; and then another drop on the one thread end sticking out, one bead away (after pulling it through that first bead on the right, next to the clasp). Hopefully, it's easier to see in the picture above.
Only one thread fits back through the bead, but having two glued areas along the strand is much better than just having one, so let's not be too taken aback that both threads don't fit through the hole.
This is the best clasp design attachment method I have seen so far, and I made it up myself (though I won't be surprised if someone's thought of it before. I wish I'd found their instructions before I ran into all the issues I had after following so many other instructions that I felt fell short).
After I glued it,
I waited a day.
fast forward to the next day
TA- DA
the glue remains flexible and invisible after it's dry
there's a hair of thread on the right as you can see
I used baby fingernail cutters to clip it even closer than I could with sharp scissors
I figured that out on my own, too. It's all about details - right!
This jewellery glue is designed especially for knotting beads.
I mention it because I don't plan to include glue in the kits. Everything else will be included, though, and they will come with printed instructions and an online video link guiding everyone easily through the process.
AS WELL, there will be an even less expensive version for anyone who wants Subsequent Kits. These are all bespoke, too, and will come with Materials of Choice.
Check out the precision tip on the glue below.
The cap has a very thin pin attached to the inside that must be inserted into the tiny tip tube's nib to keep the air out.
This provides another excellent exercise in mega patience.
So Zen!
And in Other News ...
I have to admit I find drawing and painting meditative, too, and plan to do more of both this year. I've fallen behind in getting around to starting.
Currently, I'm still clearing space, gathering supplies and materials and setting up a Small Hall Wall & a Tall Hall Wall where I can work.
But back to beading.
Here's a short video showing how the knotting is done.
Stay Tuned ...
I've been playing with thread and bead colours & sizes. I will include a beaded pearl collection, adding black & white silk ribbons to go with the white pearls with black silk knots and black onyx with the white. The coloured glass beads are from The Czech Republic in Jablonec, an area once known as Bohemia, where they were made explicitly for rosaries!
Here's a peek at ribbon colours for this coloured glass set.
The red sets are in the shop now ... the silk ribbons will arrive soon ... all will be ready for 14 February!
Here's a process pic after playing with cotton ribbons I had on hand
Choker & Kits will all include a frayed silk ribbon bow (as shown above)
AND
I've also sourced 18" hand-dyed & hemmed silk crinkle ribbons from Europe
