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I’m Leslie from Leslie O’Neill Designs, and I am passionate about creating chic, wearable jewelry from seed beads. I started working with seed beads over twenty years ago when I was working as a jewelry designer. I asked my mom, a life-long artist and art teacher, to help me find a creative outlet. I wanted something that didn’t need special equipment and didn’t take up too much space. She recommended bead weaving, and she taught me basic peyote and brick stitch. A few years later she taught me how to set up and use a bead loom. She also introduced me to Miyuki Delica beads, and I’ve been collecting them ever since.
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For a decade I slowly worked on large projects in my spare time, mainly evening bags that would take a year or more to complete. Then twelve years ago I unexpectedly found myself a stay-at-home mom with a special needs child. I realized I needed an outlet for myself during this time, so eventually I picked up my beads and started making jewelry.
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I started very small; I put a few items in a local artisan shop and I tried out a few small craft fairs. It’s so challenging to put oneself out there, but I was encouraged by the feedback I received from customers. My business has grown quite a lot over the last ten years, and continues to expand. I sell at craft fairs in the northeast and online at my website. I now have a YouTube channel, and I hope to start selling patterns as well.
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Seed beads are my creative rocket fuel! I especially love Delica beads, and I have a sample board with about 250 colors and finishes. I often start my designs there. I also love seed beads, Swarovski crystal beads and stones, pearls, shell beads and natural stones.
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My design choices are informed by my work as a jewelry designer. Elegant, tailored, versatile designs that are meticulously finished are my signature. I want my pieces to look like they came from a colorful jewelry boutique. And I want my customers to be able to wear my jewelry with yoga pants, work clothes or evening gowns.
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I like to challenge myself with design. Since working with seed beads is like sewing together tiny mosaics, I find it easiest to create jewelry that has a Victorian, detailed feel to it. It is more challenging to figure out seed bead jewelry with a sleeker, more contemporary feel. Whimsical jewelry is also a way I stretch my abilities. I have a great time figuring out designs for plants like fruits and vegetables, birds nests, stars and similar.
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I also like to explore techniques. My particular interests include dimensional peyote stitch, peyote stitch with negative space and beaded bezels. For bracelets and necklaces, I prefer an integrated clasp that doesn’t break up the design. I use buttons, snaps and toggles to keep the look consistent.
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Customers tell me my jewelry makes them feel beautiful, and that they get lots of compliments on their unique pieces. For me that’s really what it’s all about!
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Please find me online:
Website: https://www.lsoneill.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedbeadbliss/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeedBeadBliss
YouTube tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/seedbeadbliss
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