I am over 800 posts on my blog, so I am looking back to around this time last year, when Barb Switzer, the Great, interviewed me for her online version of Simply Beads. Sign up for that--it is so fun!

Time Flies Design by Jean Yates Let your memories flow as you make this nostalgic locket, which incorporates personal ephemera as well as a small watch face. Materials 5mm Swarovski crystal bicone beads: 3 silk, 3 light smoked topaz, 3 olivine AB Antique brass pocket-watch locket Pewter-cast antique copper tiny bird Small watch-face cabochon Golden green glitter 36 inches 3/8-inch-wide brown grossgrain satin ribbon Copper jump ring Small paintbrush Round-nose pliers Chain-nose pliers Wire nippers Gel adhesive medium Epoxy Finished Sizes34 1/2 inches (can be adjusted to desired length) Instructions 1) Pop off the stainless steel backing from locket; brush a small amount of gel medium on front of backing. This will be the side that will be seen from the inside of the watch. Shake glitter over gel; let dry overnight. Brush another layer of gel medium over glitter; let dry overnight. 2) Apply a small amount of epoxy on back of clock cabochon; adhere to center bottom on front of backing. Note: Make sure clock is adhered so it will be upright when backing is placed on pocket watch. Let dry for 10 minutes. 3) Use epoxy to adhere bird to backing; let dry for 10 minutes. 4) Snap backing in place on locket. 5) Slide a bicone bead on a head pin; use round-nose pliers to form a wrapped head-pin loop above bead. Trim excess wire. Repeat for each bicone bead. 6) Open jump ring and slide on all beaded head pins; attach jump ring to right side of loop on locket. Close ring. 7) Attach ribbon to top of locket with a lark's head knot: Fold ribbon in half; thread folded end through locket loop from front to back; insert unfolded ends through ribbon loop and pull gently, securing ribbon to locket. Trim ribbon ends at an angle. Sources: Pocket-watch locket, clock cabochon, bird, glitter and gel adhesive medium from Ornamentea; ribbon from The Ribbon Jar; Swarovski crystal beads from Fusion Beads. Copyright © September 2006 Simply Beads magazine. All rights reserved. Click here for printer-friendly page. Back to top.

Design Insider: Jean Yates Editor Barb: When I first started at Simply Beads, I was immediately enamored with several project proposals by Jean Yates. Jean's work is distinctive, brave and no-holds-barred, a lot like Jean herself. Her book, Links, came out in 2008 and is frequently mentioned by other designers as an inspirational resource. My own copy sits proudly on a shelf of favorites, very near my desk and my heart. One of Jean's talents is creating connections, or links, through jewelry. Trends for 2009 are strong on one-of-a-kind, original jewelry that isn't afraid to be quirky, wordy or bold. Designing jewelry with a specific person in mind, Jean gets to the heart of the personal nature of jewelry. Using materials and beads purchased from artists she adores, she helps support people whose work inspires her own, creating links in the bead community. Now that I've gone on with the introduction, here is my interview with Jean Yates, designer extraordinaire.

Barb: What are your main inspirations or influences?

Jean: As a child, I had a strong drive to create and explore. My parents encouraged this. My father taught my sister and me to love the water. From the time we were little, he taught us how wonderful and magical it is to live near the Atlantic Ocean. He would explain, while holding one of us, how to hold our breath and go through a large, breaking wave without fighting it. In the summer, we were always at the beach or out on our boat. We were never afraid of the water; rather, we were respectful and fascinated.We were very much a part of our surroundings as we grew up. For example, we would always want to know if the birds were at the bird feeders. We knew their names and what their calls sounded like because of my parents. Nature was a great source of joy to us. We were also avid readers. I read constantly! My mother used to give both my sister and me a ream of manila paper every Christmas. We would draw as we watched TV, always multi-tasking. My grandmother would set up a table with cut flowers and a selection of vases. We were to arrange the flowers in our choice of vase. She did not judge the arrangements. She simply wanted to expand our creative potential by having us play with color derived from a wonderful source ... beautiful flowers. I had a remarkable childhood. I was so lucky!

Barb: What technique do you use the most?

Jean: I like to wire wrap. I particularly enjoy wrapping charms to chain. I also like making the chain first, using wire wrapping or weaving chain maille, and then adding charms, pearls and crystals.

Barb: How long have you been designing jewelry?

Jean: I have been designing jewelry for five years. I have been studying jewelry design my whole life. I love jewelry!

Barb: Did you learn crafting (sewing, knitting, crochet) as a young person?

Jean: My mother taught me to needlepoint and to embroider. I also took sewing classes as well, and made a really terrible dress once. I was definitely the worst student the teacher had. She was a good teacher, but I just did NOT get it -- I still don't! And I can't knit. I am so "not in!"In school, I learned paper maché. We even made life-size paper maché angels one year! I took what I learned at school and started making bangle bracelets. I would paint on zebra patterns or polka dots, using neon paints. This was around 1964, when I was 13. It was so much fun and people really enjoyed the bangles.

Barb: Do you do other crafts or do you consider yourself strictly a beader?

Jean: I draw. A friend and I just finished a children's book. She wrote it, and I drew the pictures. I also experimented with hand dying t-shirts, and painting designs on them. Those were really fun, and definitely influenced by my childhood!

Barb: If you were on a desert island, what supplies/tools would you like to have with you?

Jean: Sterling wire, gauges ranging from 16 to 22, sterling head pins, interesting bead caps, crystals of all shapes and sizes. I would also need lampwork beads by Kim Miles; polymer beads by top designer Emma Ralph; pewter and shibuichi beads and clasps by Green Girl Studios; Earthenwood Studio porcelain beads; strands of natural gems in cool cuts, and some sterling chain. And don't forget a big pile of jump rings! As for tools, give me the usual suspects, and make them Lindstrom, please. I am trying to be restrained. However, it is dawning on me that what I just did here was describe my bedroom stash to you! I suppose I would just move my bedroom to the island. I cannot live without any of my favorite items!

Barb: Do you wear jewelry every day?

Jean: I used to wear two toe rings, an ankle bracelet, two bracelets and six earrings, with rotating choices of rings. Right now, I am wearing a woven chain bracelet with two Kim Miles beads, each capped with hand-riveted sterling. One bead has the name of my candidate for 2008 on it, hammered into the sterling, and one has my favorite swear word. She made that one especially for me! Both include her "signature" cubic zirconias and are lovely!

Barb: What is your favorite type of jewelry to wear?

Jean: I am really attracted to interesting earrings. If I have designed them myself, it's even better! I love to wear my big charm bracelets, cool rings and the very special ring Jim (my husband) gave me for my fiftieth birthday, too.

To learn more about Jean, she shares her talents and insights with the world through her blog, and book reviews and interviews, and articles in Australian Beading.[<--note: I am coming after you soon, Barb!!! bwa ha ha!!!]

I would like to personally thank Jean for helping me with this interview, always saying the right thing when I need to hear it -- and for making me laugh! Back to top. Simply Beads subscribers have received the February issue, an earring-packed extravaganza. If February's issue doesn't have enough earrings to satisfy your cravings, look for our new book, Earrings, Earrings, Earrings, due out at the end of the month. With more than 170 fabulous earrings plus a few necklaces and bracelets to match, you're sure to be able to find a pair that captures your style. Barb Switzer Editor, Simply Beads newsletter PS. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to your beading friends, so they can subscribe! Send feedback!Please do not reply to this e-mail. Instead, fill out the easy feedback form to let me know your thoughts, questions, news or anything else you want to tell me about. You never know, I may feature it in an upcoming issue of this Simply Beads newsletter. Keep reading!