Interview with linda myers
Estelita Chiles, Linda Myers, Kristin K'eit
Interview with Linda Myers
By Kristin K’eit & Estelita Chiles
July 5, 2018
In January 2018, we had the privilege of meeting with Linda Myers to talk about her beading journey. She shared many stories and gave us a glimpse into her diverse beading experience spanning the last 26 years! Linda shared an intersection of personal challenges, beads, and talented individuals, and how they influence her bead work and outlook on life. Thank you Linda for sharing your beading journey with us.
Linda is from Sacramento, California, and has lived in Alaska since 1974. She has worked at the Alaska Bead Company since January 31, 1995, and is currently the Store Manager. She draws a special connection with beads, the beading process, and how they connect her to express herself and tell a story. Her energy is full of humor, endearing, and stout with conviction.
Linda's Bead Journey Begins
Linda's beading journey started with polymer clay beads in 1992 with a class at Blaine’s Art Supply in Anchorage. That year she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With her decision to have a double mastectomy, and not knowing exactly how radical the surgery would be, and whether or not the surgery would affect the use of her arms/hands, she started trying to increase her arm and hand strength. At work one day, a friend's daughter came to visit her mother and she stopped by to say hi to Linda. Linda noticed the amazing beads she was wearing. The young lady explained that she had made them out of polymer clay. So, Linda did some research and found out that there was a polymer clay artist teaching at Blaine’s Art Supply. Linda signed up three of her friends' daughters and herself. And that was the beginning of her bead journey.
At that time, there was a small "findings" store in the strip mall at the corner of Arctic and Dimond Boulevard. One of the store owners was a supporter of the polymer clay group that had formed. He was very helpful in explaining how to string up beads, using Acculon since the flex wires didn't exist that that time, and what clasp might work best, etc. The store also had a small stock of trade beads, and other little beads that worked as fillers. Linda explained that she went into the store one day to get some help and there was this lady behind the counter. She greeted Linda: “Hi, my name is Jonisue, and my husband and I just bought this store. We're planning on making a bead store, and offer classes on beading.” A short time later, as Linda's necklaces and bracelets kept breaking, she and two of her friends decided to take a basic stringing class at the store with Joni. The next class was on basic earrings, and then beaded cabochons, and then - well, the story has continued on now for 25 years.
In 1994, just two years after first discovering polymer beads, Joni and Mark offered her a job at their store. Linda said she knew she had job burn-out and it was time to make a move. So, she decided that what was needed was to take a "leap of faith" and change her career path. On January 31, 1994, she did just that. The 31st was her last day at ARCO, and her first day at her new job at Alaska Bead Company, also known as ABC. She knew it was the best "leap of faith" because she has been there since that day. Linda laughed when she realized that from the time she started her job at ABC until the day we met with her, she estimated that maybe there were about five days, that for whatever reason, she did not want to go to work. She still feels guilty that she loves her job so much.
In 1995, she and Joni attended the first ever Bead & Button Show in Austin, Texas. At the show, she was exposed to amazing beadwork, and teachers. She decided she wanted to learn more than what she was able to learn in Alaska. At that time, there was no YouTube, online or CD beading videos, or Facebook, etc. Nor were there many beading books or magazines. As a matter of fact, Bead & Button was the only "beading" magazine. To continue her learning adventure, that summer she attended the Split Rock Arts Program at the University of Minnesota where she learned from Virginia Blakelock and her business partner, Carol Perranoud. Although Linda felt overwhelmed, that experience opened up even more creative beading doors. She said she feels very fortunate to have learned so much from those that she refers to as the mothers and fathers of modern-day beading: Carol Wilcox Wells, Cynthia Rutledge, Diane Fitzgerald, David Chatt, Jeannette Cook, Joyce Scott, and NanC Meinhardt, to name a few.
Favorite Beading Technique
Linda's favorite beading technique is free-form – an approach to bead weaving without a pattern. A bead artist stitches together beads of any size, shape, or type to create anything their imagination comes up with: free-flowing and organic pieces, structure, people, faces, trees, and stories. She was introduced to free-form design at the first Bead & Button Show in 1995. Linda recalls that the artist’s name was something like Alexis. That artist designed and created “free-form” bracelets which were worn by models in Vogue magazine. Her next free-form bead teacher was NanC Meinhardt. Linda credits NanC with being a most wonderful mentor, and a truly amazing artist. Linda also said she was fortunate to take a class with the amazing artist Joyce Scott. Along the free-form path she also had wonderful classes with Jeannette Cook.
Although, Linda has a very strong opinion about free-form beading being her favorite, she admits that she loves the challenge of “structured” work as well. She feels that Cynthia Rutledge still continues to challenge and inspire her after all these years. Recently, she has also come to admire Cindy Holsclaw, and added Cindy to her "structured" artist list for her geometric bead work. In fact, Linda is excited that she will be taking Cindy's Twisted Starfish Necklace at Bead & Button this year.
No Such Word as "Can't"
Considering the evolution of beading from bead stringing to complex stitches, Linda understands the challenges for those who want to get started in beading. She also feels that she understands the difficulty when trying to follow a bead pattern or learning a new technique. Until she was about eight years old, Linda's grandparents raised her on their farm outside of Sacramento. In these formative years, she gained her love for reading from her grandfather. And her grandmother understood that Linda's learning style was different from how things were taught. Her grandmother provided patient and loving guidance to her. She told her she could figure out how to do anything she set her mind to do, and importantly, always left the final decision up to Linda. In her encouragement, she taught Linda that there is no such word as "can't" – a rule Linda still relies upon today. Linda uses this same encouragement for beginning beaders. She understands that what works for one beader may not work for another beader, and that is okay. When teaching, Linda feels like she provides the foundation, and an individual may develop her or his own way of getting where they want to go.
The Grandparents of Alaska Bead Society
The beginning of the Alaska Bead Society started during the weekly meeting of creative minds at a local Anchorage coffee shop, about 21 years ago. Linda and beading friends would gather at the Kaladi Brothers coffee shop on Brayton before ABC opened on Sunday mornings. That was where Randi Lucas discussed the idea of creating a local bead society. As best that Linda recalls, the first board was:
Randi Lucas (President)
Donna Schlein (Vice President)
Denis Linz (Secretary)
Terri Atwell (Program Chair)
Chanel Ayers/Linda Myers (Newsletter)
Shannon Hall (Treasurer)
Other participants of the Sunday morning coffee group and getting the bead society off the ground were: Annette Schram, Carolyn & Chuck Driver, Elise Strauss, Fred Linz, Linda Smith, and Mike Dover.
Within a short period of time, the Sunday morning group grew: Chris Irwin, Judy Robinson, Melodie Radcliffe, Rebecca Starry, and Vivien Noll. Linda said she apologizes if her memory failed to include someone.
These artists and those that first joined the ABS specialized in seed beads with patterns, seed beads using free-form, glass fusing, lampwork, bead embroidery, mixed fiber arts, and wire working. Linda feels that ABS has continued because it has not limited itself to just beaders. Over the years, metalworking, ceramics, pottery, and raku, have been added as mediums of artists that have joined the ABS.
Within a few months of the Alaska Bead Society forming, Randi and her board developed the idea of what is now called the Bead Arts Gala. Elise Strauss stepped up to be the coordinator and served in that position until she stepped down about three years ago.
And Today
Over the years, the beading community has grown. In Linda's opinion, one of the wonderful experiences for Anchorage and Alaskan beaders was the start of "Celebrity Guest Artists" coming to Alaska to teach. Again, before modern technology, it was an affordable opportunity for many beaders to be able to take classes locally from some of the country's leading bead, wire, and metal artists.
One of the things that Linda enjoyed was being able to take a visiting Celebrity Guest Artist around to the wonderful bead stores that Anchorage had: Bead Shack, and Black Elk and Bead Heaven when they were here. She loved it because invariably the artist would just shake their heads in amazement. Why? Not only because of the success of the stores in a city of less than 300,000 people, but how the stores seemed to support each other. They would also be impressed with the high level of creative energy among the bead artists we have here.
Best Advice
Linda gives us her best advice to aspiring beaders and current beaders: create a strong foundation, and don't worry too much about perfection when you are learning, playing, or creating. A foundational knowledge of beads, materials, and the various beading techniques is the key to that strong foundation, and can allow the artist to play and create with a song in their heart. She believes that learning to play, enjoying the learning process, and to remember to breathe makes the learning process a whole lot easier. Like her grandmother, Linda understands that each person may learn differently. She encourages people to recognize the way they learn is just the perfect way for them, to get help when they become frustrated, and to not beat up on themselves. She acknowledges that even though she was raised to believe that about herself, she believes she did not really understand it until she started teaching.
By Kristin K’eit & Estelita Chiles
July 5, 2018
In January 2018, we had the privilege of meeting with Linda Myers to talk about her beading journey. She shared many stories and gave us a glimpse into her diverse beading experience spanning the last 26 years! Linda shared an intersection of personal challenges, beads, and talented individuals, and how they influence her bead work and outlook on life. Thank you Linda for sharing your beading journey with us.
Linda is from Sacramento, California, and has lived in Alaska since 1974. She has worked at the Alaska Bead Company since January 31, 1995, and is currently the Store Manager. She draws a special connection with beads, the beading process, and how they connect her to express herself and tell a story. Her energy is full of humor, endearing, and stout with conviction.
Linda's Bead Journey Begins
Linda's beading journey started with polymer clay beads in 1992 with a class at Blaine’s Art Supply in Anchorage. That year she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With her decision to have a double mastectomy, and not knowing exactly how radical the surgery would be, and whether or not the surgery would affect the use of her arms/hands, she started trying to increase her arm and hand strength. At work one day, a friend's daughter came to visit her mother and she stopped by to say hi to Linda. Linda noticed the amazing beads she was wearing. The young lady explained that she had made them out of polymer clay. So, Linda did some research and found out that there was a polymer clay artist teaching at Blaine’s Art Supply. Linda signed up three of her friends' daughters and herself. And that was the beginning of her bead journey.
At that time, there was a small "findings" store in the strip mall at the corner of Arctic and Dimond Boulevard. One of the store owners was a supporter of the polymer clay group that had formed. He was very helpful in explaining how to string up beads, using Acculon since the flex wires didn't exist that that time, and what clasp might work best, etc. The store also had a small stock of trade beads, and other little beads that worked as fillers. Linda explained that she went into the store one day to get some help and there was this lady behind the counter. She greeted Linda: “Hi, my name is Jonisue, and my husband and I just bought this store. We're planning on making a bead store, and offer classes on beading.” A short time later, as Linda's necklaces and bracelets kept breaking, she and two of her friends decided to take a basic stringing class at the store with Joni. The next class was on basic earrings, and then beaded cabochons, and then - well, the story has continued on now for 25 years.
In 1994, just two years after first discovering polymer beads, Joni and Mark offered her a job at their store. Linda said she knew she had job burn-out and it was time to make a move. So, she decided that what was needed was to take a "leap of faith" and change her career path. On January 31, 1994, she did just that. The 31st was her last day at ARCO, and her first day at her new job at Alaska Bead Company, also known as ABC. She knew it was the best "leap of faith" because she has been there since that day. Linda laughed when she realized that from the time she started her job at ABC until the day we met with her, she estimated that maybe there were about five days, that for whatever reason, she did not want to go to work. She still feels guilty that she loves her job so much.
In 1995, she and Joni attended the first ever Bead & Button Show in Austin, Texas. At the show, she was exposed to amazing beadwork, and teachers. She decided she wanted to learn more than what she was able to learn in Alaska. At that time, there was no YouTube, online or CD beading videos, or Facebook, etc. Nor were there many beading books or magazines. As a matter of fact, Bead & Button was the only "beading" magazine. To continue her learning adventure, that summer she attended the Split Rock Arts Program at the University of Minnesota where she learned from Virginia Blakelock and her business partner, Carol Perranoud. Although Linda felt overwhelmed, that experience opened up even more creative beading doors. She said she feels very fortunate to have learned so much from those that she refers to as the mothers and fathers of modern-day beading: Carol Wilcox Wells, Cynthia Rutledge, Diane Fitzgerald, David Chatt, Jeannette Cook, Joyce Scott, and NanC Meinhardt, to name a few.
Favorite Beading Technique
Linda's favorite beading technique is free-form – an approach to bead weaving without a pattern. A bead artist stitches together beads of any size, shape, or type to create anything their imagination comes up with: free-flowing and organic pieces, structure, people, faces, trees, and stories. She was introduced to free-form design at the first Bead & Button Show in 1995. Linda recalls that the artist’s name was something like Alexis. That artist designed and created “free-form” bracelets which were worn by models in Vogue magazine. Her next free-form bead teacher was NanC Meinhardt. Linda credits NanC with being a most wonderful mentor, and a truly amazing artist. Linda also said she was fortunate to take a class with the amazing artist Joyce Scott. Along the free-form path she also had wonderful classes with Jeannette Cook.
Although, Linda has a very strong opinion about free-form beading being her favorite, she admits that she loves the challenge of “structured” work as well. She feels that Cynthia Rutledge still continues to challenge and inspire her after all these years. Recently, she has also come to admire Cindy Holsclaw, and added Cindy to her "structured" artist list for her geometric bead work. In fact, Linda is excited that she will be taking Cindy's Twisted Starfish Necklace at Bead & Button this year.
No Such Word as "Can't"
Considering the evolution of beading from bead stringing to complex stitches, Linda understands the challenges for those who want to get started in beading. She also feels that she understands the difficulty when trying to follow a bead pattern or learning a new technique. Until she was about eight years old, Linda's grandparents raised her on their farm outside of Sacramento. In these formative years, she gained her love for reading from her grandfather. And her grandmother understood that Linda's learning style was different from how things were taught. Her grandmother provided patient and loving guidance to her. She told her she could figure out how to do anything she set her mind to do, and importantly, always left the final decision up to Linda. In her encouragement, she taught Linda that there is no such word as "can't" – a rule Linda still relies upon today. Linda uses this same encouragement for beginning beaders. She understands that what works for one beader may not work for another beader, and that is okay. When teaching, Linda feels like she provides the foundation, and an individual may develop her or his own way of getting where they want to go.
The Grandparents of Alaska Bead Society
The beginning of the Alaska Bead Society started during the weekly meeting of creative minds at a local Anchorage coffee shop, about 21 years ago. Linda and beading friends would gather at the Kaladi Brothers coffee shop on Brayton before ABC opened on Sunday mornings. That was where Randi Lucas discussed the idea of creating a local bead society. As best that Linda recalls, the first board was:
Randi Lucas (President)
Donna Schlein (Vice President)
Denis Linz (Secretary)
Terri Atwell (Program Chair)
Chanel Ayers/Linda Myers (Newsletter)
Shannon Hall (Treasurer)
Other participants of the Sunday morning coffee group and getting the bead society off the ground were: Annette Schram, Carolyn & Chuck Driver, Elise Strauss, Fred Linz, Linda Smith, and Mike Dover.
Within a short period of time, the Sunday morning group grew: Chris Irwin, Judy Robinson, Melodie Radcliffe, Rebecca Starry, and Vivien Noll. Linda said she apologizes if her memory failed to include someone.
These artists and those that first joined the ABS specialized in seed beads with patterns, seed beads using free-form, glass fusing, lampwork, bead embroidery, mixed fiber arts, and wire working. Linda feels that ABS has continued because it has not limited itself to just beaders. Over the years, metalworking, ceramics, pottery, and raku, have been added as mediums of artists that have joined the ABS.
Within a few months of the Alaska Bead Society forming, Randi and her board developed the idea of what is now called the Bead Arts Gala. Elise Strauss stepped up to be the coordinator and served in that position until she stepped down about three years ago.
And Today
Over the years, the beading community has grown. In Linda's opinion, one of the wonderful experiences for Anchorage and Alaskan beaders was the start of "Celebrity Guest Artists" coming to Alaska to teach. Again, before modern technology, it was an affordable opportunity for many beaders to be able to take classes locally from some of the country's leading bead, wire, and metal artists.
One of the things that Linda enjoyed was being able to take a visiting Celebrity Guest Artist around to the wonderful bead stores that Anchorage had: Bead Shack, and Black Elk and Bead Heaven when they were here. She loved it because invariably the artist would just shake their heads in amazement. Why? Not only because of the success of the stores in a city of less than 300,000 people, but how the stores seemed to support each other. They would also be impressed with the high level of creative energy among the bead artists we have here.
Best Advice
Linda gives us her best advice to aspiring beaders and current beaders: create a strong foundation, and don't worry too much about perfection when you are learning, playing, or creating. A foundational knowledge of beads, materials, and the various beading techniques is the key to that strong foundation, and can allow the artist to play and create with a song in their heart. She believes that learning to play, enjoying the learning process, and to remember to breathe makes the learning process a whole lot easier. Like her grandmother, Linda understands that each person may learn differently. She encourages people to recognize the way they learn is just the perfect way for them, to get help when they become frustrated, and to not beat up on themselves. She acknowledges that even though she was raised to believe that about herself, she believes she did not really understand it until she started teaching.
It's All About Me, by Linda Myers