BLOG: Courting My Beading Muse - TONI MCCARTHY DESIGNS

TONI MCCARTHY DESIGNS

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Meet ANNIE, my muse. I photographed her on a sunny February day on our deck just up from the woods. She's sporting a tank, a my husband's tooled leather belt , a big silver buckle that my dad used to wear, and lots of new "cowgirl"-style jewelry. She's looks pretty good, right?

It all started with my "need" for a figure like hers to be the stage for the new western-themed jewelry I had in my head. Once she arrived, Annie seemed the right name (just enough sass), but she needed some clothing. Well, lo and behold, I found the perfect garment on Junk Gypsies website: "Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History"--one of my favorite sayings.

Well, ever since I partnered up with Annie, my full-size (although headless and legless) jewelry model, I have found a wealth of jewelry ideas that just keep coming.

This is one of my FIRST BLOG POSTS from 2013. Several of my original posts are available below. Enjoy them. Things have changed, and I will add and update things soon.

Courting My Beading Muse

I think about beads, metals, and jewelry a lot.
Maybe not constantly, but almost.
So when my muse is with me, I must court her so she stays
and provides me with inspiration.

I Miss Sewing . . . I'm Going to Make Something

3/10/2020

So it all began when I ordered a book from Amazon called Wayward Threads Techniques and Ideas for Upcycling Unloved or Discarded Garments by Lorri Scott. She upcycles vintage fabric and clothing into new, one-of-a-kind garments. Right up my alley--I love to repurpose, and I'm totally enamored with the idea of anything that is one-of-a-kind. I read the book cover to cover the day it arrived; then I read it again. I was so inspired that I went shopping in my closet for up-cycling possibilities and soon I had a box of vests, shirts, and jackets--once so loved, now so last week. I needed a plan.

Even though I've sewn since I was a kid and made all my own clothes (and my sons' till it was no longer "cool"--if it ever was), I haven't done much more than repair lately. And I hate doing that. I have a sewing machine (my mom's basic Sears model--all I need), a sewing table (repurposed from my packaging/shipping area--now moved), and that stack of stuff from my closet. It was calling to me.

So a field trip to thrift stores was in order this week. I found lots of things that I put into the "remodeling supplies" box: natural fiber vintage tablecloths and yardage, men's Hawaiian shirts in wowza graphic prints, and a variety of jackets that will be cannibalized for pockets, yokes, cuffs, trims, etc. Plus some miscellaneous small doilies, tassels, and lace. You never know what you'll need till you need it.

So after re-reading the book, I've decided that my first project will be a Denim Jacket Facelift. I still need a few things before I actually start cutting, pinning, and stitching. Look soon for the next chapter.

Tamra Sheline link

3/10/2020 04:08:35 pm

Oh Toni- I cannot wait to see what you create with your sewing machine. You've got such great style!

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CIM Escorts Dayton link

3/6/2025 11:39:35 pm

I love how you are giving new life to old garments.

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About Me . . .
I am a beader, a designer, and a maker. And . . .
I love it. . . all parts of it: planning projects; buying beads and metal; accumulating tools; reading everything; organizing my studio; auditioning designs; researching other artists; collaborating in creative groups; working on my website and social media; and hopefully inspiring myself to continue courting my beading muse.

I have been designing and making handmade jewelry since about 1995, and always my focus has been on What Women Buy for Themselves (although I have LOTS of customers who are men too!)

My two "styles" are BOHO (mainly glass/gemstone beads in chunky designs) and MOJO (metal, chains, clays, and more in neutral designs). However, my styles have evolved throughout the years.

All pieces are designed and made by me in my studio here in Camas, Washington.
Czech glass in bold colors is one of my main "fabrics." In addition, metals play a huge part in my designs. Copper, brass, silver, gemstones, pearls, vintage glass, handmade lamp work beads, and wirework are mixed with metals, gemstones, pearls and found objects in one-of-a-kind designs.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some or all of the links in my blog posts are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission and we are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. As always, our heart is to encourage you to use what you already have and, when we suggest products, we only share supplies that we use and endorse.

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