Today, I thought I would introduce you to a great British bead maker and jewellery designer, and someone that I am lucky enough to call a friend Claire Lockwood of Something to do and Something to do beads. Like me, she is from the UK and not only makes the most incredible and inspiring art jewellery, full of texture, colour and of course, art beads, but also makes her own polymer beads. She is one of those people who I know that when I tune into her blog, on her facebook feed, I will find something unexpected and lovely to inspire me.
The wonderful thing about polymer clay is just how different it can become, depending upon the hands in which it is in. Claire has her own unique style within her art beads, and last year began selling them on etsy, so that we can all enjoy working with them. I asked her a few questions about her creative process.
Q1.How long have you been creating, and what
led you to begin?
led you to begin?
A1. As a child and
into my teens and early twenties I was very creative. I was always
drawing as a kid and this continued and I actually did two years of a Fine Art
degree at Chelsea. I’ve had health problems throughout my adult life and
they first reached a head when I was at art college. I took a year out
and couldn’t face returning, so I took up studying Literature instead.
I’ve always felt a bit of a loss when I remembered all I got out of drawing
and painting – and creating, in general. I spent a long time avoiding
thinking about what I’d given up. Then, some years ago now, I developed
an interest in vintage jewellery – all jewellery, really – and I eventually
decided to try making jewellery myself. So, I am now, finally, getting
some chance to pick up the kind of interests I gave up.
into my teens and early twenties I was very creative. I was always
drawing as a kid and this continued and I actually did two years of a Fine Art
degree at Chelsea. I’ve had health problems throughout my adult life and
they first reached a head when I was at art college. I took a year out
and couldn’t face returning, so I took up studying Literature instead.
I’ve always felt a bit of a loss when I remembered all I got out of drawing
and painting – and creating, in general. I spent a long time avoiding
thinking about what I’d given up. Then, some years ago now, I developed
an interest in vintage jewellery – all jewellery, really – and I eventually
decided to try making jewellery myself. So, I am now, finally, getting
some chance to pick up the kind of interests I gave up.
.jpg) |
| Fox on the Lawn |
Q2.What do you find inspiring?
A2. Sometimes I can just
be thinking about something and it will occur to me that it might be translated
into jewellery or beads. Other
times, I’ll see some neat thing and I think, ‘Ah! I could make a bead along
those lines’. I often work around
a particular bead or material and take guidance from that. I also love trawling the internet, and
Pinterest in particular – it’s a wonderful source of ideas and inspiration.
be thinking about something and it will occur to me that it might be translated
into jewellery or beads. Other
times, I’ll see some neat thing and I think, ‘Ah! I could make a bead along
those lines’. I often work around
a particular bead or material and take guidance from that. I also love trawling the internet, and
Pinterest in particular – it’s a wonderful source of ideas and inspiration.
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| Stonewash |
Q3. Describe your workspace – are you lucky
enough to have a studio set up, or are you like me and work in odd corners of
your house?
enough to have a studio set up, or are you like me and work in odd corners of
your house?
A3. My workspace – if you
can call it that – is one third(-ish) of my living room. I have a large,
cluttered table on which I make jewellery and beads and do whatever else
requires a table (including eating, etc.). Basically my workspace works
around my living space and my living space works around my workspace. I’d
love to have a studio. There are so many things I really want to do (have
a kiln, do lampwork and metalwork – it’s a long list!) that just can’t be done
in the space I have.
can call it that – is one third(-ish) of my living room. I have a large,
cluttered table on which I make jewellery and beads and do whatever else
requires a table (including eating, etc.). Basically my workspace works
around my living space and my living space works around my workspace. I’d
love to have a studio. There are so many things I really want to do (have
a kiln, do lampwork and metalwork – it’s a long list!) that just can’t be done
in the space I have.
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| Claire’s creative space |
Q5.What are your favourite materials to work
with and why?
with and why?
A5. Well, I make polymer clay beads and I’ve just
starting using a new system that allows you to give beads a metal coat on which
you can develop a patina that you can also dye, so I’m loving that at the
moment. I can see so much potential in it. When, it comes to making
jewellery, I do like using art beads, in all sorts of media, and also vintage
beads and components – I think they’d be top of my desert-island-beads list.
starting using a new system that allows you to give beads a metal coat on which
you can develop a patina that you can also dye, so I’m loving that at the
moment. I can see so much potential in it. When, it comes to making
jewellery, I do like using art beads, in all sorts of media, and also vintage
beads and components – I think they’d be top of my desert-island-beads list.
Q6 If you were to draw attention to a favourite
designer or artist, who would it be and why?
designer or artist, who would it be and why?
A6 I’m really
struggling to think of one individual, especially when it comes to jewellery. My taste is really quite eclectic and
diverse. Rather than draw
attention to any one person, it seems more accurate to say a wee thank you to
all the many artists and designers from whom I’ve learnt some small, vital or
very useful thing. Some are people
I’ve got to know via the internet, but there are many that I couldn’t name now,
as I’ve just stumbled upon their work online. So, three cheers for the
internet!
struggling to think of one individual, especially when it comes to jewellery. My taste is really quite eclectic and
diverse. Rather than draw
attention to any one person, it seems more accurate to say a wee thank you to
all the many artists and designers from whom I’ve learnt some small, vital or
very useful thing. Some are people
I’ve got to know via the internet, but there are many that I couldn’t name now,
as I’ve just stumbled upon their work online. So, three cheers for the
internet!
Q7 What
drew you to art beads, and in turn to your specific medium of polymer clay?
drew you to art beads, and in turn to your specific medium of polymer clay?
A7 I think
it was the case that I’d been beading for some time when I became aware of this
‘other type’ of bead that was out there, partly through seeing them being used
in other people’s designs, and partly through seeing them for sale
occasionally. At the time I had no
real idea of the vast realm of bead sourcing that is Etsy! At around the same time, I saw a
polymer clay demonstration. I was
immediately drawn to it and thought I’d give it a go. I did ceramics for several years when I was younger so I
figured it was something I might be able to do. In time I discovered that, not only could I make beads to
use myself, I could also make beads that other people might like to own too.
it was the case that I’d been beading for some time when I became aware of this
‘other type’ of bead that was out there, partly through seeing them being used
in other people’s designs, and partly through seeing them for sale
occasionally. At the time I had no
real idea of the vast realm of bead sourcing that is Etsy! At around the same time, I saw a
polymer clay demonstration. I was
immediately drawn to it and thought I’d give it a go. I did ceramics for several years when I was younger so I
figured it was something I might be able to do. In time I discovered that, not only could I make beads to
use myself, I could also make beads that other people might like to own too.
 |
| Penny Button |
Q. 8 Can
you describe a little (without giving away any trade secrets!) of your bead
making process?
you describe a little (without giving away any trade secrets!) of your bead
making process?
A. 8 On
the whole, in the past, I think I’ve often started out with the idea of the
bead I want to make in my mind before I start, rather than playing around with
the clay to see where that takes me.
I don’t tend to use lots of the traditional polymer techniques, unless
they will allow me to achieve the look of the bead I’ve imagined. I frequently use the clay to create a
sculpted base that I paint once baked.
One reason why I like this new patina system I’ve been using is that
it’s given me the opportunity to experiment and develop my ideas whilst
making. It’s a different
approach and I’m really enjoying it.
the whole, in the past, I think I’ve often started out with the idea of the
bead I want to make in my mind before I start, rather than playing around with
the clay to see where that takes me.
I don’t tend to use lots of the traditional polymer techniques, unless
they will allow me to achieve the look of the bead I’ve imagined. I frequently use the clay to create a
sculpted base that I paint once baked.
One reason why I like this new patina system I’ve been using is that
it’s given me the opportunity to experiment and develop my ideas whilst
making. It’s a different
approach and I’m really enjoying it.
Q.9 Which
art bead artists do you find inspiring?
art bead artists do you find inspiring?
A.9 Where to start?! I
try to avoid taking too much inspiration from other people’s beads. But, of course, when you see something
you admire, you can’t help but be influenced by it – well that’s how I see it,
anyway! As with jewellery
designers, I can’t really pick out one or two bead makers as predominate
influences, but I can certainly offer a list of folk who just keep producing
things I really love – although some of them are bead artists who create beads
I love to use, rather than being an inspiration for my beads. Oddly, none of them are polymer artists:
Scorched Earth, Slate Studios Supply, Moogin, Grey Bird Studio, Jubilee, HappyFallout. Of course, that list
could be several times the length but you have to stop somewhere.
try to avoid taking too much inspiration from other people’s beads. But, of course, when you see something
you admire, you can’t help but be influenced by it – well that’s how I see it,
anyway! As with jewellery
designers, I can’t really pick out one or two bead makers as predominate
influences, but I can certainly offer a list of folk who just keep producing
things I really love – although some of them are bead artists who create beads
I love to use, rather than being an inspiration for my beads. Oddly, none of them are polymer artists:
Scorched Earth, Slate Studios Supply, Moogin, Grey Bird Studio, Jubilee, HappyFallout. Of course, that list
could be several times the length but you have to stop somewhere.
 |
| Luxe |
Thanks Claire, for sharing your thoughts with me today.
There is a bonus question and more pics over at my blog, if you fancy hopping over there!
And lucky for us, Claire is having a sale in both of her shops, through til the 26th June.
- For 10% off at Something to do beads, use coupon code SONGBEADBLOG.
- For 20% off at Something to do, use coupon code SONGBEADBLOG
Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Manchester, England. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.
Polly Red
June 19, 2013 at 12:49 pmGreat article, I had no idea Claire sold beads :0)
Polly Red
June 19, 2013 at 12:50 pmHad no idea Claire makes beads, beautiful :0)
Polly Red
June 19, 2013 at 12:50 pmGreat article, I had no idea Claire sold beads :0)
Claire Lockwood
June 19, 2013 at 1:30 pmThank you, Rebecca – lots and lots! It looks great. Thanks again! x
Claire Lockwood
June 19, 2013 at 1:30 pmThank you, Rebecca – lots and lots! It looks great. Thanks again! x
Leah Curtis
June 19, 2013 at 8:34 pmWonderful write up! I've admired Claire's jewellery for a bit now.
Cindy
June 19, 2013 at 8:39 pmLove Claire's work! I like the organic nature and the variety of beads she uses in her pieces – so natural and eye catching. The Penny Button bracelet really draws me in with the soft, muted colors!
Kathy Lindemer
June 20, 2013 at 10:25 amYour work is amazing! Great interview!
Jean
June 23, 2013 at 1:10 pmLoved this@!
jean xox
Petra Carpreau
July 31, 2013 at 11:45 amWhat a fabulous article, Claire. Very generous of you to share so much with us. Your new techniques and approach are working sooo well, and the results are fabulous! Too kind of you to mention me too. xo
Thank you muchly too, Rebecca!!!
Petra x :O)