Face to Face: Danièle Haine

At Beadingschool, we love to bead together, share inspiration, discover new ideas, and celebrate the stories behind every piece of jewelry. We honor both the hands that create and the people who inspire our community.

This time, we’re excited to introduce a beader who has been with us since 2021. She has beaded many NOHTBA designs and often transformed them into larger, more complex jewels through her own beautiful variations and own designs. Seeing her finished pieces in the Beadingschool Club, along with comments truly feels like knowing her for years, even though we haven’t met in person yet. And that’s the magic of the beading community we share.
So take a moment to settle in, enjoy the beauty of her artistry, and join us as we discover the inspiring story behind her beading journey.

Meet the long-time Beadingschool Club member, talented beader-friend to many in the community,

our Danièle Haine.

 

Please tell us about yourself a bit! When and how did you start to create? How did you learn to bead?  

I’m 50 years old and live in a rural area in the south of Belgium, in the French‑speaking region. I’m an agricultural engineer and work for the Ministry of Agriculture.

I discovered beading during the first Covid lockdown. I started with an earring kit that had been sitting at the back of a cupboard for years. Then I bought another kit, and then another. I tried some bead stringing, but it just wasn’t enough. I quickly felt the urge to dive deeper into more advanced techniques. I explored the internet and gradually learned by following online videos. That’s how I came across creators like Stephanie from BronzePony Beaded Jewelry and Gina from Orchid and Opal Jewelry.

Thanks to the latter, I discovered Beadingschool in May 2021. I joined a couple of NOHTBA sessions and, without giving it too much thought, signed up for the 2021 Beadingschool Contest. To my surprise, I ended up winning second place in the Beadingschool Colors category (note by Zuzi: the photo on the left – variation of the Petronella motif). It gave me a tremendous boost of confidence—both in my technical skills and in my creativity.

 

 

Is beadwork your hobby or profession? How does your average day look like? When do you have time to create?   

It’s a hobby for me. I couldn’t do it for money, because I think it would put too much pressure on me and take away both my creativity and the joy I get from it. I don’t always have as much time as I’d like, with a full‑time job and family life, but I try to find a few hours each week—usually in the evenings or on weekends.

 

What did beading bring to your life?

Beading helps me unwind after a busy day.

I’ve also noticed that it has transformed the way I look at colors and how I combine them, whether in my clothing or in my home décor. I now put together combinations I would never have dared to try before, and I genuinely enjoy adding small pops of accent color here and there to brighten my surroundings.

Beyond the creative aspect, beading has also opened a door to a world I never even knew existed—an international community of beaders. It’s a space where people share ideas, offer advice, and provide endless inspiration. It greatly contributes to the evolution of my creative practice.

Tell us about the piece of jewelry you are the most proud of! 

I created a pendant using the hexagonal cabochon from the Starry Night Beadingschool Academy Box.

It’s a special piece for two reasons. First, it was only the second design I had ever created entirely on my own. I wanted to showcase the cabochon in a way that highlighted its unusual shape, and I was quite proud of how it turned out at that time.

After I shared a picture of it in the Beadingschool Club, I was contacted by another member, Nicolien Avis, who asked if it would be possible to have a tutorial for the pendant. I decided to give it a try and soon realized just how much work goes into writing a proper tutorial! Even if the tutorial itself wasn’t my greatest achievement, it opened the door to continued conversations with Nicolien. We eventually began exchanging beads and components as well, which inspired the creation of another hexagonal pendant. Over time, our discussions naturally expanded beyond beading into many other topics—and they are still ongoing today.

 

 

What is your favorite stitch? Which colors do you like the most? On the other hand, is there any color or color combination you try to avoid? 

Without a doubt, my favorite is peyote stitch. There’s something incredibly soothing about watching each Delica bead fall perfectly into place between the previous two. I also love creating all kinds of bezels—there’s an almost magical moment when, with one final pull of the thread, the bezel tightens and securely holds the cabochon in place.

I enjoy working with all colors, but I tend to stay within the same palette for a few months before shifting to another. The one shade I still find truly challenging to work with, though, is white.

Where do you like to create? Do you have a designated area in your home where you keep your beads?  

I have a small corner in my home office (which, admittedly, isn’t always as tidy as in the photo) where I keep all my beads and components. Aside from the few projects I sometimes take with me on holiday, it’s pretty much the only place where I work. I need the comfort of my desk, my chair, my bead mat, and the convenience of having all my supplies close at hand.

 

 

Do you follow instructions or do you like to develop your own designs? How would you define your style?  

I enjoy both ways of working. Most of the time, I follow instructions because it allows me to explore more complex constructions and focus on the technical side of beading. I find it incredibly calming—you just follow one step after another without thinking about anything else.

But there are also moments when I feel the urge to create something of my own. That’s a completely different process—less relaxing, perhaps, but so rewarding. Usually, I end up doing a mix of both. I’ll start a project by following the instructions, and then I might change the final steps, add a few extra embellishments, or design matching earrings.

I like to think my style is simple yet elegant. I try to create pieces I can wear every day.

 

Who are your favorite designers? Why? 

I admire Jayashree Paramesh’s work for the way she builds pieces that are both intricate and beautifully fluid. And I love Ronel Durandt’s designs for her mastery of peyote. But most of my inspiration comes from Erika and the other Beadingschool designers. I love the variety of designs they offer—both in style and in complexity.

 

 

Do you have a favorite design by Erika? Tell us about it!   

I have several favourites. First, Shooting Star, of course—the way the cabochon is bezelled is just brilliantly designed. It’s one of the few designs I’ve made several times.
Angel Wings is a set I wear very often. And more recently, I’ve really enjoyed making Limoges.

 

Which is the bead / component in your stash which you treasure the most? Do you already have plans on how to use it?

It’s a teardrop‑shaped gemstone cabochon. I bought it right at the beginning, when I had just started beading. At the time, I was only beginning to master bezeling round stones and had no idea how to handle a cabochon in a different shape.

It’s a simple stone, not an expensive one, but it has been with me since the very start of my beading journey. Every time I pick it up, my imagination starts running. My initial idea is to extend the colors of the stone directly into the bezel. As for the rest… I think I’ll be taking it out many more times before deciding what it’s truly meant to become.

 

 

If you could design something for a well-known person or maybe a fictional character from a film or book, who would it be, and why? 

I would love to design a necklace for Amélie Nothomb, one of Belgium’s famous contemporary authors. She is known for her sharp and imaginative storytelling, and her instantly recognizable appearance—often featuring distinctive hats and a subtle touch of elegance. She is also my mother’s favorite writer, which makes the idea of creating a piece of jewelry for her feel both personal and meaningful.

What are your plans for the future as a beader? Is there something you would really like to learn? 

I have quite a large collection of art and glass cabochons waiting to be used, so I’ve set myself the goal of incorporating them more often into my work. I want to keep exploring how to combine them with smaller beaded elements to create more interesting designs.

And then there’s bead embroidery. I’m a bit torn about it. I truly admire what others create and the incredible possibilities this technique offers. But at the same time, I feel a little overwhelmed by all those possibilities, and I’m not sure I’m ready to dive into a completely new technique just yet.

 

 

Where can we see and buy your designs? 

The Beadingschool Club Facebook page is the only place where I share pictures of my work. I don’t sell my pieces—although I tried it once and quickly realized the process wasn’t for me.

If you’d like to see my designs, we’d have to meet in person, as I wear them almost every day.

I’d love to showcase them in a local craft exhibition. I actually had the opportunity last year, but I chickened out at the last moment. Maybe next year…

 

 

 

Thank you for answering our questions and sharing more about your beading journey and your life as a beader, Danièle!

We’re very happy you’re beading with us. Seeing your jewels in the Beadingschool Club always inspires many of us. We wish you continue to enjoy designing, creating beautiful color combinations, and taking new steps on your journey!

 

Dear beading-friends and beadwork admirers, please, use the comment section if you have more questions you would like to ask, or greet our Danièle.

Stay tuned for more interviews for Beadingschool.com by Erika Sándor.