The Beaded Pillow

The Beaded Pillow has the most amazing handmade/beaded items I've ever seen! Karen has ornaments, sachets, hangers and of course - Pillows! They are just beautiful!


How did you decide on your shop name?
I certainly was stressing out over a shop name and then realized it was such a simple thing. What is it I do? Bead pillows. Ta Da! The Beaded Pillow.

When did you start crafting?
Since I spent a good portion of my adult life as a broadcaster and writer, I guess you could say I have been crafting for a good portion of my adult life. I actually started beading pillows a couple of years ago when I looked around my craft room at all the beads I had left over from my jewelry-making days, which didn’t last all that long.

Where do you craft?
I converted one of the guest bedrooms in my house to my craft room. What does your space look like? It looks like a craft room/guest bedroom. I have a work table, sewing table, comfortable chair, uncomfortable chair, ironing board, cutting table….and a single bed with a nightstand. What would you love to add to it? I’d love to have more storage shelves in the closet.

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
Nothing at the moment; I enjoy coming up with new angles to sewing and beading my pillows.

What or who inspires you?
I think flowers inspire me; a pretty garden, the birds, nature….and of course, sometimes I see fabric that just screams, “Make me into a pillow with beads!”

Do you have a day job?
Yes, I am married.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I enjoyed making everything you see in my shop…but maybe I am partial to Princess Elephant because she turned out so darn cute.

Where are you from?
It is funny that, after so many years of moving around, I happen to live in the very same town where I was born; I currently reside in beautiful Minnesota.

Dazzled Beader

Dazzled Beader is a wonderful jewelry shop on Etsy. Melissa is from Janesville, Wisconsin and has been on Etsy since February! Welcome to Etsy!! Melissa has a BLOG. It features new offers and specials. 10% of all proceeds from her Etsy shop goes to the humane society. She decided to write stories about animals on her blog in addition to information about her newest listings.

#1 How did you decide on your shop name?
I got into making jewelry when I joined a group of women called Bead Dazzlers. We'd get together regularly and make jewelry and eat and talk. I was hooked. Since my Bead Dazzlers friends dazzled me into beading, I decided Dazzled Beader Designs was a great name for my shop.


#2 When did you start crafting?
I've always liked arts and crafts. As a youth, I was in 4-H and did a lot of drawing, painting, photography, floral design and macrame. I started making jewelry a year and a half ago when I joined the Bead Dazzlers group. I have learned so much since.



#3 Are there other crafts you'd like to try?
Glass bead making sounds interesting or maybe I'd like to take up crocheting again. I admire people who can sew, I've never had much patience or luck with sewing.

#4 What or who inspires you?
I get inspired by seeing what kind of jewelry my friends are making. I also get inspired when I see all sorts of pretty beads and chain online and in catalogs. I have a notebook I draw design ideas in when I'm inspired.


#5 Do you have a day job?
I have a day job. I work as a graphic artist for a newspaper. I design the ads and lay out the paper.


#6 Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
The Stunning Symphony jewelry set. It was a great experience in thinking outside the box and became one of my most unique pieces. I worked hard practicing making many note links and treble clef pendants on my wig jig before I moved on to the final piece. I'm pleased with the result.

Melissa has a wonderful give away happening on her blog!! It's this amazing bracelet! Click on the picture and it will take you to the give away. The rules are easy - just follow her blog and an extra entry pick your favorite item from her shop and leave a comment telling her what it is. Please check it out!!