Face to Face: Meet Terry Stegeman
Today we continue with our regular Face to Face interviews with our fellow beaders and designers. The Beadingschool Club keeps growing in number and we love to introduce our community members who inspire so many of us not only with their jewelry.
We’re so different in style when it comes to beading, and our background story, but we fit together as a beautiful jigsaw puzzle. If you look for a beader who loves small earrings, created amazing pendants, is very skilled in outstanding color combinations and find a nice, friendly word for everyone – this is her!
Meet the Beadingschool Club member and Tila-beads lover,
Terry Stegeman!
Please tell us about yourself a bit! When and how did you start to create? How did you learn to bead?
I grew up in the Midwest of the United States and as an adult I had the privilege of being a military wife and supporting my late husband in his army career. It took us to some wonderful places and some not so wonderful ones. We lived in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and best of all got to live in Germany for 3 years. I loved our time in Europe and took advantage of my time there and saw as much of it as I could. I have done many jobs over the years that included accounting, medical assisting, being a recreation assistant working with kids, working as a secretary and in retail. In 2002 I was diagnosed with a rare cancer that changed my life but I am thankful to say that I am a 20 year survivor. I have not been able to work due to my health issues but I am thankful for every day. I got started beading while visiting a friend in Seattle 12 years ago. She was wearing a simple pearl pendant I loved and she offered to show me how to make it. She knew very little but showed me what she knew. I caught on and soon she was asking me to make her pieces! Those first pieces were pretty simple but I was hooked and never looked back.
Is beadwork your hobby or profession? How does your average day look like? When do you have time to create?
Beadwork is my hobby. Although I am not able to work anymore, I love to read, get outside to enjoy nature, spend time with my grandkids, and bead when I am up to it. I have a serious pain condition in my arm and hand from a medical procedure called CRPS that dictates when I can bead so I don’t really have set times to create.
Tell us about the piece of jewelry you are the most proud of!
I am most proud of my first mini challenge piece I did for beading school. I started it and I hated it and as we like to say I wanted to frog it and not enter at all but I decided to ask our group. I got so much encouragement to keep going that I kept going and ended up loving the piece.
Where do you like to create? Do you have a designated area in your home where you keep your beads? Can you show it to us?
I do most of my beading from the comfort of my recliner in my living room. I keep my beading supplies in a different room. Keeping things organized is a real challenge.
What is your favourite stitch? Which colours do you like the most? On the other hand, is there any colour or colour combination you try to avoid?
My favorite stitch is peyote because I love to bezel things. I really have fallen in love with the square stitch bezel I learned from beading school too. Choosing colors is my favorite part of beading. I love putting colors together and when I used to visit my local bead shop my friends were always asking me to help them with their colors. I love blues and greens together and I love the colors of Spring and Fall. I think the only color I don’t use a lot of is orange. I don’t hate it but find it can be hard to work with.
Do you follow instructions or do you like to develop your own designs? How would you define your style?
I call myself a “fly by the seat of your pants” beader. I don’t consider myself a designer in the true sense of the word because I don’t publish tutorials or anything like that but I do design some of my own pieces. I follow patterns but use color and embellishments here and there to give them my own personal touch. A lot of my inspiration comes from the things I find in nature. I am constantly taking pictures of things I see outside and then I try to replicate them in my beadwork.
Who are your favorite designers? Why?
I have several. Erika is probably my favorite but I love Zuzi and Veronka’s designs too. The tutorials are so well done and easy to follow and they really are fun to do. I also like Michele Snyder at Poetry in Beads and enjoy Bronzepony designs.
Do you have a favorite design by Erika? Tell us about it!
Anyone here that knows me knows that hands down my favorite design is Thetis from our Thetis’ Treasure theme. I love working with Tilas and that tutorial is perfect for me.
Which is the bead / component in your stash which you treasure the most? Do you already have plans on how to use it?
I don’t have a specific piece waiting to be used but I do have some beautiful cabochons that I would like to use for bead embroidery in the future.
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?
Her life was so short and her disappearance tragic but she accomplished a lot during her lifetime so if she were here I would love to make something for Amelia Earhart. I can imagine that she would only wear simple pieces and that is my style so it would be her.
What are your plans for the future as a beader? Is there something you would really like to learn?
My plans for the future are to do more of my own designs and to delve into bead embroidery more. I also want to challenge myself to do more difficult pieces so that I can keep learning and growing.
Where can we see and buy your designs?
I don’t sell my designs but do plan to continue sharing my pieces with my friends at Beadingschool.
Thank you for answering my questions, Terry!
We all are happy you are beading with us and inspire us through both – your personal and also beading journey ! 
Dear beading-friends and beadwork admirers, please, use the comment section if you have more questions you would like to ask, or greet Terry.
Stay tuned for more interviews for Beadingschool.com by Erika Sándor!
I loved your interview! You as such an inspiring beader. It’s amazing how you come up with you designs and how quickly you bead. I love seeing what you’ve come up with next!
Thank you so much for your friendship and encouragement to me Virginia! I have learned so much from everyone here! Amazing talented friends!❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us at Beadingschool. From the time I joined the group your kind words have encouraged me to keep growing, learning, and sharing. Your work is so pretty and inspiring, I hope to some day be able to put colors and designs together like you do!
Thank you so much Robin! I am so happy to have encouraged you! Keep doing it! If you could see how much I have grown since starting here and just trying things you would be shocked. I love seeing everyone’s pieces and get inspired all the time!❤️❤️❤️
It was a pleasure reading about you and getting to know you better, Terry! Your kindness and encouragements in the Beadingschool club group is heartwarming. I know, your supportive comments made huge difference in my life! Thank you! – Samia
Thank you dear Samia! I get inspired when I see all the beautiful sets you make. We are all growing so much and I think it is because we encourage each other along the way! Thank you for your encouragement to me!❤️❤️❤️
Terry,
I was delighted to see your interview! I am glad I found it! I am glad that beading and the Beading School is a part of your life! I have appreciated you sharing your beading projects, your frequent support, and always showing up in the lunch meetings!! Take Care, Kristen
Thank you so much dear Kristen!❤️
Thank you, dear Terry, for sharing your beautiful sense of design and color with all of us. I also love the way you support each beader in our community and share you enthusiasm for each person’s design projects along with your own that are wonderful. I worked for the DOD for many years, I recently returned from Germany where my former Jag Corps brother in-law , who was stationed in Bamberg , took me and my sister on a wonderful tour of Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Oberramagau , Baden-Baden and Stuttgart. Thank you, again.
Louise Del Negro
So interesting that you worked for DOD! We lived in the Nuremberg area of Germany so most of our travels in country were in Bavaria. Thank you Louise!❤️
Thank you Terry for sharing your story. I consider you a friend and one of the most creative and encouraging beaders in Beadingschool. Your jewels inspire me with your gorgeous color combinations and your kindness to others is most appreciated. Congratulations on a wonderful interview.
Thank you so much sweet friend!❤️
Dear Terry,
Thank you for sharing your story with us! You inspire me and I always love to read your comments. You truly are a “rare gem” and I look forward to learning more about you, your designs, and your color choices.
Sending hugs and kisses!!!
Thanks dear friend!❤️
Dear Terry, I’m glad to hear news about you and I’m sad because you have such fragile health. I too have been carrying the burden of an autoimmune disease for almost 40 years, so I understand what you are going through. But, we are strong and moving forward. I love all your works. You have a very special sense of colors and you give a lot of elegance to the finishes. For me, you are my guiding star. Elena Zidaru.
It can be hard at times as you know but as you said we keep moving forward. Each day is a blessing we get to share with each other. Thank you Elena!❤️
Thank you so much Terry for sharing this with us. I love very much the jewellery you are making and are admiring your colour combinations. I hope to “see” you soon again in an academy zoom meeting.
Thank you so much dear Mirjam!❤️
Thank you, Terry, for sharing more about yourself! You are always so inspiring and I love seeing your color combinations and designs. ❤️
Thank you so much Mary!❤️
I love your beading as we watch it unfold in the group. It is amazing how much you get accomplished. This was great that you got to do the interview. No shock that you love Tila beads! Great to get to know you a little better!
Thank you Virginia. It means a lot to me to be here and to get to share with this wonderful group. ❤️
Dearest Terry, Such a lovely interview & it’s so nice to know you a little better. I always look forward to seeing your interpretations of patterns & which colours you will choose – so inspiring & clever. The pieces in your photos for the article are so you! By the way, I love your photos too – always so clear.
I read all your kind words to all the Club members – they make me smile. I look forward to seeing many more pieces as & when you are able. Thank you for sharing your beady story. Hugs, Faye x
Thank you so much Faye! I love the friends I have made here. ❤️
Well deserved to see your story and all your beautiful work here. You are inspiring with your pretty colors and amazing kindness and positivity. Amongst all the wonderful things this club is doing for us, the best part is getting you as a friend. ❤️
I feel the same way Ariane! Thank you so much!❤️
Love your story Terry😊 it’s a pity that you cannot bead all the time cause your very talented.
Hope to see a lot more from you and a lot of comments on our work as well😘
To be a part of this community is so much fun and so therapeutic in so many ways Josien! Thank you so much!❤️
Thank you all for your kind comments, your encouragement, your inspiration and your friendship! I will take up Vania’s challenge to use more orange! 😊❤️
Lori would love that!
Terry, you are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your love of beading and a little of your life. Your color choices show how u have a great eye for it. I will challenge u to use orange. It is a great pop up color. I came to love yellow and orange as accents. All your work is beautifully done!!!!
Terry, thank you for sharing more about you! I absolutely love all of your designs, and you are an inspiration to me. I also appreciate what you bring to our amazing group, and you’re always so kind and supportive with all of your comments and tips you share with us.
Thank you so much!❤️
Dear Terry,
I’m very impressed that all the hard things you had to live through, olny made you stronger. You are one of the members of the Club form which I always get such a positive feedback. With every theme, I look foreward to see your interpretation of the designs and I’m always so nicely surprised.
I wish you good health and positive thoughts to keep on beading !
Thank you so much Irina! I feel like we all inspire each other. It is like visiting an art gallery with good friends! Thank you again!❤️
Terry,
Loved reading about where your journey has taken you and love your pieces ! Enjoy seeing them when you do them !
Thank you
Keep on beading
Deb T
Thank you so much Deb! Our journey I think comes out in our pieces and they are such unique expressions. I love seeing it!❤️
It’s so nice to get to learn more about you lovely ladies.
Thank you Malia!❤️
Dear Terry,
So wonderful to read more about you. You inspire me in the way you have grown above your challenges. I love seeing your beading and admire your designs. Wishing you all the very best in all you undertake.
Hugs,
Neeti
A wonderful interview Terry thank you for letting us get to know you so much betterI totally enjoy reading it and love seeing all your
beautiful jewelry .
Thanks so much Antoinette! ❤️
Thank you so much Neeti! Life can be challenging at times but it is worth all the friendships you have along the way. That is what gets us through. Thanks again friend!❤️