It’s that time of year again and I’m delighted to announce that I will be joining the Starman Trendsetters team for the third year running!
Set up by Czech glass bead manufacturer and wholesaler Starman Beads, the Trendsetter programme brings together a host of beadwork designers from across the globe. Each year we are challenged to create inspirational designs using some of the innovative beads in the Starman range. These designs are turned into free tutorials, magazine projects and more.
It’s a real honour to be selected again this year, and to be joining esteemed designers such as Diane Fitzgerald, Marcia de Coster and Melissa Grakowsky Shippee.
How does the Trendsetter program work?
Starman sends each of us a treasure trove of different beads to play with, along with a stash of TOHO Beads, needles and One-G thread. From this we need to create a selection of designs, usually to a loose brief. These inspiration projects may be used in future advertising, or perhaps for Make and Take instructions. The designing of the projects has quite a quick turnaround time and all of the new designs are kept under wraps for several months. Often we get to play with brand new bead shapes, which arrive in exciting boxes marked ‘Confidential’!
It’s a great process to be a part of, and has opened up some exciting opportunities. The team at Starman works closely with Japanese bead giant TOHO, and this meant that last year many of us saw our submissions featured in a special gallery show in Tokyo. What’s more, my Aztec Wings necklace also took flight to Japan to be photographed for a new eBook ‘Beaders’, which is available from the app store.
The Starman Trendsetter program is a lot of work, but seeing your designs taking on a life of their own, and popping up in bead stores across the world is just marvellous.
Keep your eyes peeled for this year’s trendsetter designs which will be revealed on the Starman Facebook page in due course.
What did I create?
Take a look below at some of my designs from previous years…
Catherine Wheel set
Delicate Daisies Earrings
Kaleidoscope Pendant
Double Tile Bangle
Crescent Mandalas, as seen in Making Jewellery magazine!
