Pamy with her nephew in 2005

Pamela Welborn AKA Violetbead by Sigrid Wynne-Evans   Pamela Welborn ('Pamy' to those who know her) has been a beader for many years. To say she loves beads and beading would not fully describe her passion for beads and the art of beading. Pamy is prolific in designing. You can find all sorts of designs, from elegant bracelets to whimsical amulet size projects. If you have a passion for purples or for rainbows, then Pamy will definitely have something you will love.

Pamy also is the 'list Mom' for Learn2bead, a yahoo group that discusses many aspects of beading with the intent to teach and help those who need help with stitches and a variety of other beading 'problems'. Pamy says that teaching is one of her favorite things to do. With this list, and her many clases that she has held certainly gives credence to this. As an extension to teaching, Pamy has also written several articles for Jewelry Crafts Magazine and also an article for Bead and Button Magazine. Pamy's kits are available on her own website as well as BuyTheKit.com. So if you love her patterns, and don't want to search out all the beads needed, then check out her website www.violetbead.com for a nice complete package.

Here is Pamy's story:

I have had beads in my life as far back as I can remember. My Nana (maternal grandmother) collected strung necklaces and had them on pegboard in her room. It was a treat to get to put my hands behind my back and get to look at Nana's beads. She bought me seed beads as a teenager, but we didn't have the books and the internet like we do now, so I didn't do much with them until 1992. I started beading initially because a friend wanted a pair of parrot earrings that were on display at a local craft shop - bead class samples. So I learned brick stitch and bought the book and made the pair for her. Then the search for books and beads started. I think we are all Magpies - we love sparkly things. I suppose somewhere should mention that I am addicted to seed beads but I have not ventured into the Delicas or Aikos.

I started designing almost right away. I wanted a pair of earrings with a hot air balloon on them and there was no pattern out that I could find, so I modified a paint program on a Mac and started designing bead patterns. Nature, color combos and other beaders often inspire me. I am inspired and encouraged by a couple other designers. They have taught me that we need to stick together, have fun and share a love for beads with others. I look at fashion magazines to see the color schemes that are coming out and if any of them appeal to me, I design pieces with those colors. I am a purple fanatic, so many of my pieces are in purple first and then I try other color schemes.

Sampling of Pamy's Designs:
Click on an image to view the pattern information.
 
               

I am most proud of the more complicated pieces I have beaded. Though I opt for the faster projects most of the time, it's the ones that took 20-30 hours to make that are more of an accomplishment. I also love teaching. It's the best thing when you are teaching a class and the light bulb comes on for the students. When it all clicks for them, I know I did my job. My disappointments are usually in the fact that so many in the beading world think they are the only one who can do what they do.

Sampling of Pamy's Designs:
Click on an image to view the pattern information.
 
               

My goal is really to design a few really unique items I have in my head. I always hope that when they come out of my head and are beaded, that they look as good in reality as they did in my head.