Charlene Hughes is a designer we are all proud of. She has established herself as a beader and a designer for many years. She was a natural addition to Bead-patterns in its early days.

Charlene AKA BeadyBoop, has thrilled beaders with her books, and now with her patterns here on this site. Her patterns are delightful and colorful with clean crisp lines. She has a flair and a style that sets her apart and makes her distinctive.

Charlene tells her story better than I can. So here it is, straight from Ms BeadyBoop!

I was born and raised in a suburb of Los Angeles when there were still orange groves, ranches & farms. Hard to believe now but we had lots of room to roam and explore. Almost all our toys were things we made ourselves. This must be what made us both the kind of people we are today. Brother is a home builder and I have always been the type of person who when she sees something she likes wants to "make" it rather than buy it. Always crafting, painting, sewing......LOL....you name it, I have tried it.

Beading came after a trip to the local craft store. I spotted some seed beads and was hooked. Like so many others my first projects were brick stitch earrings. Discovered Bead & Button magazine, Delicas and peyote stitch and progressed from there. It wasn't long before I was designing my own patterns.

I have always carried around a notebook full of "ideas". Things I wanted to make, designs for.......everything from houses to clothing, business's I would start when I got around to it. Some I have done. Others are waiting to happen ;)

My husband and I left city life behind us and moved to Northern California. (redwood country) 35 + years ago. With the help of a Cal Vet loan we designed and built our home.

I feel very fortunate to live in this area. The ocean and redwood trees are such an inspiration and I never tire of them.

Designing is a mystery to me. I never know what I'm going to do before I start. I doodle around until something happens. Sometimes I re-doodle a pattern 3 or 4 times before I'm finished.

I love designing and would do it even if no one ever saw a thing I drew. Fortunate for me and lots of others that Rita Sova and Bead-Patterns.com came along. I get to do what I love and get paid for it. My big goal is to find more time to bead myself.

My biggest challenge as I grow older is living with Diabetes. Raising 2 grandchildren and dealing with my parents old age.

Charley currently teaches Bead Classes at: Classes.Bead-Patterns.com