In case you haven’t yet heard, this week we are launching our latest collaboration with Stephanie from Bronzepony Beaded Jewelry: a brand new themed beads collection celebrating everything beautiful about the fall season! Get ready! This collection will be available on Thursday, September 7th at noon est!

We are so excited to present the Autumn in New York Beads Collection featuring gorgeous honey browns and ambers, warm golds and bronzes plus a touch of deep velvety purple and elegant green to round out this unique and enticing autumnal color palette.

In honor of this, our 5th official collaboration with this YouTube beading superstar, we decided to dig a little bit deeper and find out more about Stephanie, her beading journey and her inspiration for this beautiful autumn selection of beads.

I chatted with Stephanie over email to find out more.

Q: How long have you been beading and how did you get started?

A: I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t creating something with beads! As a child I loved to create beads from paper mache, paint and string them, and give them to my friends! Am I dating myself or is paper mache still a thing?

Q: What prompted you to start your YouTube channel and want to teach others? 

A: When I first started beading I had difficulty following written patterns. I thought there must be others out there that have the same challenge so video tutorials seemed a perfect way to help. I have always been in a helping profession (my education is in psychology and art) so it is in my nature to want to share what I know. YouTube seemed the perfect way to do this. That’s how it all started!

Q: Where do you get your design inspiration from?

A: I am very much inspired by medieval, antique, and royal jewelry. I love the history attached to so many iconic period pieces. They are timeless and can be adapted for a more casual or modern look. I am also inspired by the beauty of nature. Nature is the ultimate color palette!

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you could give to someone who is just starting out in beading or jewelry making?

A: My best piece of advice is the simplest. Learn your basic stitches ad nauseam! Learn them until you don’t even need to think about them. You can create anything once your basic stitches are ingrained in your brain! You’ll automatically see how to incorporate these stitches into something beautiful.

Q: Tell us about the upcoming Autumn in New York Collection. What inspired you? Which specific beads & stones did you pick out for inclusion in the collection and can you give us a little sneak peek at the designs you are planning to go along with this collection?

A: The Autumn in New York Collection is inspired by my memories of growing up in New York City. The park was an oasis in the middle of a wonderfully chaotic city. All seasons in the park were magical. Sledding down snow covered hills and ice skating on the Wollman Rink made the park a winter wonderland. Walking through the soft pink and vivid magenta cherry blossoms carpeting the ground in spring, picnicking on lush green meadows in the summer. In the fall, Central Park is ablaze with color as the leaves on the trees turn from green to shimmering golden yellows, vivid oranges, and earthy browns. You feel the crunch of the leaves under your feet as you stroll along the park’s paths. One of my favorite places is the Mall, a formal promenade lined with beautiful elm trees. This magical scene is the inspiration for this collection. 

Here’s a little arrangement of beads I have on my mat at the moment. I love the idea of an autumn leaves and berries inspired necklace and/or bracelet. We’ll see what happens. It could end up completely different. I tend to change things as I go. 

I chose to include ELITE Eureka Crystal Fancy Stones as well as Krakovski Fancy Stones in several shapes, colors, and sizes in this collection. Lots of sparkle but in Autumn colors so a little more subdued. I chose burnished copper, glowing amber and earthy browns as well as cooling greens and purples as my color story. I love the warm and cozy colors of Autumn with just a little green and purple to cool things off. Paisley Duos add a beautifully curved leafy shape that compliments the colorful stones. Preciosa 4mm Bicones in Autumn hues add a sparkly touch. I’ll wait for you to see the rest on Collection Day [Thursday September 7th at Noon EST]! 

Q: What are your top 5 must haves in your bead stash (can be tools, supplies, specific beads that you find yourself returning to again and again)?

A: When I start a design I grab my seed beads in gold, bronze, and silver (or any color I think I’ll use). So seed beads of all sizes are must haves in my stash. I love creating bezels so Delicas, Treasures or Aikos are also must haves. Fancy stones of all shapes and sizes are on the list as they feature prominently in my designs. Pearls, fire polished beads, and rondelles round out the list. A good tool kit of course is always necessary.  I can create most anything using these items. Of course, adding other unique and interesting beads is always fun and moves the creative process forward. Oops, I went over the 5!

It’s been a pleasure chatting with you. Hugs to all my beading friends XOXO

If you want to grab one of these stunning Autumn in New York Collections for yourself, make sure you head on over to EurekaCrystalBeads.com Thursday, September 7th at noon EST! We made a lot of collections but they do have a tendency to sell out! Don’t get left behind!