MEET BETSY HERSHBERG! Master Bead Knitter, Educator, Art Jewelry Designer
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- "My brain is like an airport runway," Betsy Hershberg says. "There's always another idea in line waiting to take off." Judging by this interview, that seems like an understatement! Betsy has designed dozens of sumptuous wearable pieces that blend beading and knitting.
In this video, as we chat, Betsy shares images of her award-winning neckpieces, bracelets and earrings, giving us insights into each design - and the techniques she used to create it. All of Betsy's pieces are one -of-kind.
Bead knitting may be one of the lesser-known jewelry beading techniques - but what you can create with it is amazing - as Betsy's work proves. I don't know of another bead knitting artist whose work has been accepted into major American juried art shows, as Betsy's has. In fact, I believe Betsy is the first to introduce bead knitting to the American art jewelry world. Some might call it "studio jewelry" instead of "art jewelry" but the general meaning of both terms is clear: a singular artistic vision, embodied with an advanced level of technical expertise to produce a beautiful body of work that's unique to the artist who makes it. You know an artist has her own voice when her work is instantly recognizable, as Betsy's is.
Betsy and I each selected 50% of the pieces we show in this video. After seeing the pieces I wanted to include, Betsy made an astute observation: that I had chosen pieces that emphasize beadwork, while she had chosen pieces that foreground her use of yarns or bead-knitting techniques - including several techniques she invented. In the end, we were both pleased with our selections, though we continued to add and delete images until the very end. We hope you like the result.
Betsy's art jewelry is represented by Graver's Lane Gallery in Philadelphia - and loved by leading art jewelry collectors such as Elsie Michie and Marcia Docter. (We mention their names here with their permission - see links below).
I confess I don't know how to knit. But now, having spent time with Betsy, I'd like to learn to knit with beads - and to make the kind of lush beaded beads she's made. Because Betsy's work is truly inspiring. And I used to think there was nothing more to bead knitting than I saw in antique beaded purses. Old bead-knit purses are amazing in their own right - but so much more is possible!
Check out Betsy's website:
www.studiobknits.com/
And Betsy's fabulous book on bead knitting:
Betsy Beads: Confessions of a Left-Brained Knitter
amzn.to/3U3WhTb
And Betsy's page on the Gravers Lane Gallery website:
www.graverslanegallery.com/be...
And Betsy's video tutorial on making bead-knit beads:
www.craftsy.com/class/brillia...
Betsy's Ravelry page:
www.ravelry.com/designers/bet...
Links to other things mentioned in our conversation:
PEOPLE
--Marcia Docter
-----www.graverslanegallery.com/ma...
--Bruce Hoffman
-----www.graverslanegallery.com/ga...
-----www.graverslanegallery.com/12...
--Elsie Michie
-----www.lsumoa.org/inside-lsu-moa...
-----www.lsu.edu/hss/english/facul...
PLACES BETSY RECOMMENDS
--Gravers Lane Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
www.graverslanegallery.com/
--Material Culture, Philadelphia, PA
materialculture.com/
BEAD SUPPLIERS BETSY LOVES
--Blue Santa Beads:
bluesantabeads.net/
--Caravan Beads in Portland, ME (for Miyuki beads especially): www.caravanbeads.com/pg/9-Ret...
BOOKS BETSY LOVES
1000 Great Knitting Motifs by Luise Roberts.
search.worldcat.org/title/560...
The Art and Elegance of Beadweaving: New Jewelry Designs with Classic Stitches by Carol Wilcox Wells.
search.worldcat.org/title/479...
The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Colette Wolff.
search.worldcat.org/title/350...
Fine Indian Jewelry of the Southwest: The Millicent Rogers Museum Collection by Shelby Tisdale.
search.worldcat.org/title/620...
The Art of Beadwork: Historic Inspiration, Contemporary Design by Valerie Hector.
search.worldcat.org/title/560...
#beading #diybeading #diybeadedjewelry #beadednecklaces #beadsjewellery #beadstitch #beadwork #beadworking #knitting #knittingdesign #jewelrydesigner #knitted #knittingdesign #ravelry
Finally, a masterclass in bead knitting from the one and only Betsy Hershberg!
Hi Charlotte! Yes, a masterclass in bead knitting from Betsy Hershberg - I'm guessing you already have her book - which is prettty fantastic!
Betsy's creativity knows no bounds! Prepare to be amazed by her bead knitting expertise!
Hello Anais - you are right! Betsy Hershberg's work is to be admired!
Discovering Betsy Hershberg's bead knitting journey is truly inspiring!
I totally agree, Sofia! Betsy Hershberg's bead knitting story is very inspiriing!
Betsy's talent is as mesmerizing as her creations! Such intricate bead knitting skills!
Hi, AvaJay! You are right! Betsy is a shining talent in the bead knitting world - and the art jewelry world too! Highly intricate designs - the product of great vision - and expertise!
Witness the artistry of Betsy Hershberg unfold as she shares her bead knitting mastery
Hi, @Liza! Thanks for stopping by. I agree that Betsy Hershberg's bead knitting designs are amazing!
No doubt Betsy and Valerie are both amazing beaders. I have been watching your videos for the last 6 months. you shared amazing beading techniques with us. Thanks
Thank you, @LiliShah! I'm glad you like my videos - more to come soon!
Betsy's artistry with beads is pure magic ✨ Can't wait to learn more from her!
Hello Amelie! You are so right! Long may Betsy Hershberg continue to make her beautiful bead knitting designs!
Betsy has been one of my knitting mentors for many years now. A brilliant creative mind and an amazingly kind person. 💕 Thanks for showcasing her and her work.
Hi @daniellem905, I agree! Betsy's work is amazing - and she's so easy to work with, and kind! How cool that you've known her for years. So I'm guessing you're a bead knitter too! Thank you for stopping by - and please stop by again soon.
A true pioneer in the world of bead knitting!
Hi, Adriana! Yes, you are right - Betsy Hershberg is a true pioneer - so very gifted - a master!
Thank you for this amazing interview
Hi @MindMysteries6248 - thank you for your kind words! I'm really glad that you like our first interview! Betsy's work is so imaginative and lush! And she's great fun to work with. Our second interview is in the works now - and should be going live at the end of April or early May. Happy beading!
Appreciate your efforts to teach us beading many thanks
Hi, @ManaZahra - thank you for your kind words - I love teaching beading - and sharing the work of other beaders. Please stop by again soon - more interviews and tutorials are underway now!
Thank you so much for another fascinating video. I found a book online, now just a matter of time before I can study it.
Hi, @angelinacroftjewlery! You're welcome! I'm glad you like Betsy's work - and I hope you'll enjoy learning bead knitting! I plan to get started fairly soon.
Thanks for showing us Betsy’s fantastic beadwork/knitting.
Hi Becca! You're so very welcome! I'm really glad that you like it!
Amazing
Thank you, @KanezAkbr - glad you like our first interview - Betsy's work is fantastic - and we didn't come close to showing all of the beautiful pieces she's made. Stay tuned for our second interview about bead knitting and how it works - which will be live in the next couple of weeks. Happy beading to you.
❤❤
Thank you, @sofianilsson4556 - Betsy Hershberg is incredibly talented! Mastering both knitting and beads!