Glass beadmaking is an ancient craft which continues to fascinate people.
“The beads are so beautiful. I learned how to make them three years ago so that I could make my own jewelry. Then I gave to friends and relatives as gifts and then other people started to ask me to do custom orders. That started the business,” she said. “The hardest thing is the steadiness. You have to be very steady and calm to get a nicely shaped bead and keep it constantly turning. Your two hands are both working all the time.”
Ninard is constantly inspired to make new bead designs.
“Your imagination is the only thing that stops you, you can layer the glass, make raised designs, add coloured pieces, shape the beads with metal tools. I just like to sit down and see what I can come up with,” said Ninard, who has made snowmen and Christmas tree designs for her booth at Vernon Presents A Festival of Crafts, as well as beaded jewelry, keychains and book marks. She makes individual beads on request.
“One of the best parts about going to the shows is when women pick out things, then take my card and the husbands call to see if it’s still available. That’s the most flattering, to think that someone is going to get a gift that I made that is something they really want.”
The 11th annual Vernon Presents A Festival of Crafts takes place Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wesbild Centre in Vernon.
