Bead & Button – October 2019

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FacetJewelry.com/BeadAndButton 15

Looking Ahead

by Diane Fitzgerald

A WALK

DOWN THE

MEMORY LANE

OF BEADING

Finale

I

n the last few columns, we looked

at the evolution of beading over the

past 25 years: the changes brought

by social media, the rise of the multi-

hole beads, the role of bead societ-

ies, and the availability of books and

magazines — all of which spurred our

passion for beading.

Looking ahead, what might we expect?

BACK TO THE FUTURE

AND BEYOND

Many profess a desire to return to our

roots, in other words, seed beads, and

basic techniques, such as peyote and

brick stitches. Without a doubt, the

meditative quality of beading brings

satisfaction as we see the work of our

hands evolve.

At the same time, more complex

shapes for decorative objects are sure

to tempt the adventurous beader. Who

ever thought we would see a beaded

80-side sphere or a “substitute” for

bead crochet, now known as peytwist?

New beaders and young beaders

joining the movement will see the craft

with new ideas and find fresh ways to

apply them. But with cursive writing

and piano lessons now rare, will they

have the patience or manual dexterity

to do such detailed work?

“Fast fashion” means styles come

and go quickly. Will the fast-paced life

this suggests mean that hours, days,

and weeks of beading result in being

pursued by only a few individuals? How

will beading change as a result? Add in

the movement to tidy up, led by Marie

Kondo. What effect will this have on the

beading community to “destash?” Will

this result in a fresh perspective among

beaders who consolidate their beads?

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Along with our increased connected-

ness, the internet has brought unprec-

edented opportunities to be part of a

global community of beaders. Through

Facebook, Pinterest, and Google im-

age searches, we can see the work of

beaders from the most remote corners

of the world, and in return they can see

our latest accomplishments.

Like wildfire, new ideas encircle the

globe and engender fresh ideas. At the

same time, through Youtube and other

video feeds, generous beaders provide

tutorials to get us started. E-books are

gaining in popularity, while magazines

still provide a mainstay for many.

In the far future, might AI (artificial

intelligence) and sensors design new

patterns and perhaps even write instruc-

tions for them? Will large museums

begin to consider beading on an equal

footing with flat art and sculpture?

WITH HOPE AND REGARDS

It boils down to this: Because we are

living in the digital age with competition

driven by the internet, we have a robust

ever-changing world of beads, materials,

and tools. These elements inspire us

to use our minds and skills in the most

creative ways possible.

It is no doubt that the future of bead-

ing is secure. And the question, “Is the

best yet to come?” will be answered as

we add one bead at a time.

As I write this, my last “Memory

Lane” column, I have one simple

request: Wear your beads!

Diane Fitzgerald ([email protected],

dianefitzgerald.com, Etsy/DianeFitzgeraldBeads)

Suzanne Golden wows us with her

beaded 80-side triangle sphere; 8½ in.

(21.6 cm).

Photo by

Mark Rutledge

Falling For You!

909-338-

http://www.cynthiarutledge.net

[email protected]

Booth

# 508