Hi, I’m Rachel!
Environmental Educator by day, Beader by night.
Living on the North Oregon Coast, much of my inspiration comes from adventures outdoors. Whether I am taking an evening beach stroll or leading a tidepool tour for my day job as an Environmental Educator, I am always gathering inspiration for new designs and color palettes for my beadwork. Ombré color palettes are my specialty.
My signature color palettes each feature around a dozen different shades of beads in a variety of finishes for the perfect balance of color and shine. My signature Ocean Ombré color palette is my personal favorite. It captures the warm colors of the sun setting over the deep blue Pacific Ocean on the Oregon Coast, with beads that glisten like sparkling waves.
Just a needle, thread, and some beads.
When it comes to bead weaving, the basic elements are quite simple. All you need is a needle, thread, and some beads. In my beadwork, I only use the highest quality materials: hypoallergenic 14k gold-filled or Sterling Silver ear wires, Miyuki Delica glass seed beads made in Japan, and quality thread to make your beadwork last for years to come. Well, I guess you also need a whole lot of time and patience.
My Classic Fringe Earrings take around four hours for me to make per pair. I find the repetitive and familiar process of bead weaving to be meditative. I taught myself these techniques while processing the sudden passing of my father-in-law in 2019. From this grief, I reconnected with my creativity and passion for beading, which was something I lost during college.
It started as a school yard hustle.
If I count all the way back to the beginning, I have been making and selling jewelry for 18 years. I started my first business, Shooting Star Creations when I was in the third grade. I used to sell earrings for $5 per pair out of my pencil box during recess to my friends and the recess duty ladies (bless their hearts for supporting little me way back then.) I am honored to say that making jewelry runs in my family. My grandmother first taught me to how to bead, and she often used seed beads in her own designs. Later, my Aunt Jennifer taught me new techniques, and to this day I still hear her voice in my head when I make the metal loop at the top of an earring.