Beading And Jewellery Making With Dorothy Wood
Here is what Dorothy had to say......When did you first become interested in Beading?Ò Do you have any memories of the first ever project you completed?
"I specialised in dress and design at college in the 70s and was particularly interested in embellishing fabrics so I did begin to use beads then, to add texture to my embroidery. My mother still has one of my pictures in her bedroom, inspired by Alexandre Dumas"s ò€˜The Black Tulip" ò€“ it has 3D fabric and wire tulips embellished with beads and embroidery on a quilted background."
Tell us a bit about your latest book ò€“ Beaded Treasures?
"Beaded Treasures is a book full of different small bead designs.Ò It is available this month to buy!"
How many books have you had published?Ò Do you have a favourite?
"I"ve written about 25 books now (beginning to lose count!) but have had over 50 books published because some have been reissued, or larger books have been split into three or four smaller books. My favourite book is always the one I"ve just done because I get so enthusiastic, but even so I do think my next book, Crystal Jewellery Creations (available from October 2010), also published by David and Charles, is one of the best books I have produced. The Swarovski crystals were just so gorgeous and I found it so easy to create designs that I think it will be hard to beat for a considerable time."
What was the last beading project you worked on?
"It was a lovely set of jewellery, inspired by Summer Festivals, for Make Jewellery magazine. I"m a regular contributor so need to come up with new ideas every month. Luckily there is always a theme so I go to my local bead shop and see what inspires me."
What is the one craft item you would not be without and why?
"For papercraft I always say my Fiskars paper trimmer ò€“ I contribute to cardmaking magazines and find it indispensable for cutting and scoring cards. For beading I couldn"t be without my magnifying lamp. It"s a professional daylight lamp, probably more suited to a forensic lab but I have it attached to a corner of my workspace and can just pull it across if I need to see more clearly when bead stitching or threading a beading needle."
Apart from crafting what else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
"I moved into a house that needed a major overhall a couple of years ago and so that takes up a lot of my spare time but it is slow going since I prefer to be out doing the garden if the weather is fine or taking the dog for a walk along the beach."
Do you hold regular workshops for budding beaders? If so where do you hold these and where can people get more information?
"I have just started doing workshops in The Bothy at Largoward in Fife, and will also be doing some at Precious Sparkle Beads in Perth. I have a tab on my website now which has information about the workshops. I"m keen for people to get in touch and let me know when and what they"d like workshops in as I am about to organise the Autumn schedule."
If you could pass on just one beading top tip or trick what would it be?
"I"d say if you are having problems, do go to a workshop ò€“ it"s always easier when you learn the proper techniques and get a chance to practice under the watchful eye of an expert."
And finally just for fun.....
Favourite colour - turquoise
Favourite food ò€“ anything my husband cooks!
Favourite day of the week ò€“Ò Friday
Favourite word or phrase ò€“ not sure but my least favourite is ò€˜lovely jubbly" aargh!
Favourite book ò€“ no particular book, but I do get hooked on authors. My current favourite is Robert Goddard.
Favourite place ò€“ Upper Largo, where I live; I"ve fantastic neighbours and the views over the Firth of Forth are stunning.
Dorothy"s new book Crystal Jewellery Creations will be available on RUCraft from October and her lastest book Beaded Treasures is available to buy now.