Letter From the Editor
I have always loved stringing beads and making earrings. Those are my go-to crafts when I want to sit back and relax; that is, they were until I discovered bead stitches. There is something about the rhythm you create when working a stitch that just makes the world fade away and clears your mind.
Through owning my own bead shop, I was exposed to many different styles of beading by just listening to my customers and learning what they were interested in. This kind of interaction is what inspired me to create and teach a spiral-stitch class in my shop very similar to the free project in this month's newsletter.
The spiral stitch still remains one of my favorite stitches. It is so easy to learn, and its texture and look can change merely by changing the size, the style or even just the color of the beads you use. I hope that after learning this stitch you have the confidence to learn new stitch techniques.
Remember: There is always something new to learn in beading and jewelry making. Even now, I pick up new techniques and tips from the beaders around me. That is another thing I love about this craft -- there is always something new to learn!
As always, happy beading,
Corene Painter
Co-editor, Simply Beads newsletter
Corene began crafting and beading at a very young age, learning how to bead through Girl Scouts and a day camp that had an American Indian influence. Through the years, Corene has expanded her crafting and art skills to include photography, candle making, paper crafting, crochet and knitting.
After college, Corene opened a bead and candle shop that specialized in organic and gemstone beads. The shop featured her own jewelry creations as well as jewelry created by other local beadwork designers in Corene's hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind.
Corene's beadwork and paper creations are often featured at a local art gallery. At the request of a number of gallery patrons, Corene also teaches classes in both media several times a year.
Corene still enjoys living in her hometown and is the technical editor of Simply Beads Kit-of-the-Month Club, Creative Girls Kit-of-the-Month Club, CardMaker magazine, beading books and numerous paper-crafting books. She is also a writer and designer for the CardMaker blog.
Send feedback!
Fill out my easy feedback form and let me know your thoughts, questions, news or anything else you want to tell me about. You never know, I may feature it in an upcoming issue of Simply Beads newsletter. Keep reading!