Freebie Friday... or Should I Say, Free-bead Friday?!

T.G.I.F.  everyone!

Announcements and Instructions for winning today's giveaways are listed at the bottom.

No sense in prolonging it.  I just need to jump in with two feet.  Truth?  I face these Freebie Fridays with lots of excitement, but also some trepidation.  I feel an incredible amount of pressure to showcase our generous artists in a way that does them and their artistry justice.  The unfortunate truth is I'll come up short every time.  The real goal... miss the mark by as little as possible.

So, let's see how it goes with today's artist... Heidi Lynn Ferguson.  For two reasons, I knew I was going to love featuring Heidi from the get-go.  First, the beaded jewelry she sent me to give away on highlowaha is beautiful!  She even included special items just for me in the package and I have worn both the earrings and necklace repeatedly.  The second reason I knew I was going to love getting to know Heidi better is because of the quote imprinted on the back of her business card.  It says, " It is imperative to create that which you feel passionate about." Anybody who uses the word "imperative" and "passionate" in the same sentence is a.o.k. with me.  It tells me she is confidently moving towards her life's purpose knowing that, "When you want something all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it (my favorite quote).

Heidi, how did you start beading?

It started out as a hobby thirteen years ago.  I'm a visual person who likes doing work that is hands-on.  My B.S. is in Fashion Design, so beading was a nice compliment to what I was already doing.  Early on I took a basic finishing class and I've been beading ever since.

The world of beads seems a little overwhelming because there are so many kinds and so many colors.  Where do you get your ideas?  

I don't really know.  They just come through me.  sometimes I might have a general idea of something I want to do, but then it can change 180 degrees when I sit down to start making it the piece.  Tonight, for example, I got an idea from a scarf I saw around a woman's waist.  It was red with bright yellows, Kelly Green, and a Cobalt Blue.  I would never think to put those colors together, but I loved the way it looked so I'll try it.  Beaded jewelry is really a combination of color, dimension and texture.  All three things have to be considered.

Where do you get your beads?

All over.  Beads are my drug of choice, so I have quite a large collection.  My brother and sister in-law who have traveled abroad have brought them back for me.  Also, a wholesaler in the city (Philadelphia), on-line, thrift stores, and yard sales are examples of places I go.  One of my favorite things to do is find a piece at a thrift store or garage sale and then completely recycle the beads into new beaded jewelry.

The other thing I love doing, which has nothing to do with where I get my beads, is collaborate with a friend.

What do you mean?  Another artist?

Not necessarily.  Recently a friend of mine wanted something for his mother.  We worked together to custom design a piece for her.  He looked at my inventory and selected items he liked in her color palette.  I used his input to develop a really special piece she loved - down to a custom clasp.  That project was especially interesting for me, because initially there was something about it that just wasn't working.  I changed one bead color and it changed everything.  It's funny how something as simple as changing a color can make all the difference.  My jewelry is such a reflection of me, I just can't bring myself 

to sell something I don't personally like.

It's obvious you are really passionate about beading.  I know it's not your full time job, so when do you find the time?

First of all I think about it every day.  Sometimes the ideas come so fast, I can't keep up with them.  Something that makes it easy is that my beads are out and visible.  They're set up in clear containers in a section of my home.  That makes them easy to see and access.  Today is actually probably the first time in three months that I haven't worked on a beading project.  I find it to be a little therapeutic, so it doesn't feel at all like work.  The other issue I have is that I can't stop working for the night unless I feel like I'm stopping at a good place.  The other night I started something around 9:00 and I didn't like the way it was turning out, so stayed up until I got to a good stopping point. 

I also started a Beading Circle a while back and that group meets monthly on a Friday night.  People bring their inventory and occasionally we might trade or share beads.  Mostly it's just the camaraderie that makes it fun and a nice break. 

As someone whose been at this a long time, what advice might you have for other creative and entrepreneurial readers?

If a person feels passionately about something go into it with your full heart and full being... 100%.

With the holidays coming up, something beaded could make a great gift.  What would a reader need to know about prices and lead time if they wanted to order something?

In terms of lead time, yeah... I would like to know by September or October .  That's my busy season, so the more time I have the more likely I am to be able to get it done on time.  In terms of prices, items can range from $5.00 to $175.00.  It just depends on what we're making.

How could someone get hold of you, if he/she was interested?  

I can be reached through my email at hlynndesigns@yahoo.com.

For more about Heidi, check out: 

http://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/issues/2006/.09.21/locallife4html

Wanna win one of Heidi's beautiful necklaces?  

Here are the two ways...  Answer this question.  

What is Heidi's favorite color from the 120 Colors in a Crayola Crayon Box?  Visit this

 site to see the selection: (colourlovers.com/blog/2008/04/22/all-120-crayon-names-color-codes-and-fun-facts/).

The second lucky winner will be selected from our magical RAK box.  And the winner is...

DEBBIE CLIFFORD... again!  

Congratulations, Debbie who recently also won one of our $5.00 gift cards to Starbucks, compliments of P.P.D.C.

This should be great news for Debbie, but also for you!  Take comfort in knowing...in order to keep the integrity of the RAK box in tact, I will award the prize to whoever's card gets drawn.  Even if it means repeat winners.  Now you know the value of being in the game.  It's not to late.  Just mail your postcard to:

Claudia K. Beeny

4012 Harvestwood Court 

Grapevine, TX 76051

Announcements:

• Peanut and the Shell Participants:  (See Monday, July 7) for more information. Here is who I have signed up to participate.  If I missed your name or you still want in, just make a post today.  It's not too late. Participants: Julie, Jayme, Amy, Tera, Lori R., Stacie, Cheryl, Peggy, Katie, Kat, Chaotic, Maureen, Beekayroot, Sue, Heather, and Cassie (not P.).
  
• Altoid Table:  It is coming along nicely.  Hopefully by the end of this weekend the bulk of the hard stuff will be over.  A BIG thanks to Cheryl who has helped with the tiling and grouting.

Signing off until tomorrow...