My title is Mika and I’m a self taught folks artist who’s been beading since I used to be 8 years outdated. I began beading at a time when my mother was throwing hobbies at me hoping one thing would stick, and beading did. In the future she got here residence with a loom package that had a purple loom, some bead patterns and a bag stuffed with blended colour beads. I instantly took to it and have been beading ever since.
4 years in the past whereas dwelling in South America I noticed a woman sporting a Colombian beaded collar. Though I used to be conversant in African beadwork, I had by no means seen something like what she was sporting. I used to be so enamored I started furiously looking find out how to create beaded collars just like the one I noticed. I nonetheless can’t create necklaces like that (lol) however what’s grown from my makes an attempt is my very own distinctive fashion of beading.
My signature fashion is additional giant, triangular formed, colourful, over the shoulder beaded collars. I like to work in monochromatic tones, utilizing upward of 5 totally different shades of a colour on one beaded piece. I take advantage of hundreds and THOUSANDS of beads to create my items. I like beading a lot I work wherever I can, on the sofa, within the automotive, in my mattress with my little beading mat. My favourite supplies are crystals, shells, and of seed beads however my most favourite seed bead of all are milky seed beads.
I acquire classic milky seed beads, Preciosa milky seed beads, and Toho milky seed beads. I like any bead that’s iridescent. I’ve 3 packing containers and a small two drawer dresser stuffed with seed beads. I like to show once I can however primarily educate wire wrapping methods as beadwork is time consuming and requires tons of persistence.
This yr I wish to start engaged on beaded tapestries impressed by female shapes and basic symbology. I prefer to collaborate with totally different fashions, painters, and artists each time I can. I’m endlessly impressed by indigenous beadwork from Colombia, South Africa, Mexico, Ecuador and Greenland. My dream is to personal an unique beaded necklace from Greenland, and to have my assortment of over 40 beaded collars (and rising) displayed within the African American Smithsonian museum.
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