Hi, my name is Sarah and I'm a bead artist who enjoys other arts and crafts too. I run Beadecked By Beads from my home-studio in Westgate-on-Sea, in the UK, as a sole trader. My day job is being a co-owner of two local art galleries which keep me very busy showcasing the work of over 100 independent Kent-based artists, makers and creatives. In my spare time I print, I make mosaics, I play with cla
y, but mostly I make jewellery - by hand-weaving, one-by-one, tiny glass beads, known as seed beads, to create vibrant, colourful, exquisitely detailed, artisan pieces - to be-deck you, your loved ones and your home. My work is sold in the Shoreline galleries, and is available to buy online from two websites currently. I'm inspired by the beautifully atmospheric surroundings of my home town - in the Isle of Thanet, which is in Kent, the garden of England. Beach-combed finds from my local coastline are now influencing my work too. Moving to Margate in 2017 was a long-held dream, realised after many years living and working in South London. I'm very happy to have put down my roots and become part of the local artistic and business communities here by the sea. I use traditional bead-weaving techniques in my jewellery, from across the continents, combined with modern interpretations and materials, to create small pieces of art that are light, durable and comfortable, delightful for both everyday and special occasion wear. I love to create fresh and bright, striking, sometimes quirky, colour combinations for my work. I often incorporate enamelled, ceramic and polymer clay elements, my own and other designers', and love to work with hand-blown glass beads crafted by renowned artisan lamp-workers. I also use semi-precious gem stones, shells and Swarovski crystals in my work. The making process is labour intensive, but it's therapeutic too. Patience produces beautiful, rare, limited edition, and often unique, heirloom-quality treasures, that with care will give their owners a lifetime of pleasure, and beyond. It's always a labour of love too. I've been been honing my seed-beading skills for 40 years, and am honoured to play a part in the resurgence of this heritage-rich creative medium. My jewellery ranges are finished with sterling silver chains, clasps and ear-wires. Other metals, including gold, copper and base-types are also utilised, when the design or functionality of a piece calls for it, or a client prefers it. Hypo-allergenic and screw-fitted ear-wires are always available on request and fitted free-of charge. I occasionally make and sell components for other artists and designers; collaborations and wholesale inquiries are always welcomed. BIG THANKS GO TO: Philip Le Maistre, of Grey Fox Photography, Ramsgate, who shot some of the pieces on this page. All images, and all my work, is my copyright, and must not be copied without my prior permission.
