Face to Face – Sangeeta Bahadur

Do you like a bit of reading for the weekend? I do. Sometimes I can’t check the article out right away, but I know I definitely have the chance in next days, when I have a peaceful moment with a coffee or hot tea and the newest blog article, for example. We’ve reached the last Friday of the  month, and that’s when we’re publishing the  Face to Face interview with our fellow beaders and designers!

This time we interviewed a member from the Beadingschool Club. She has been beading with us for some years  and I have to admit, I knew a very little about her, mostly through eye-catching and beautiful Academy Mini Challenge entries where she’s always shown courage and prepared an original design. It’s been a journey with lots of inspiration and I’m so happy we happened to enter her life, so she continues with activity she loves so much – beading.

Meet the Beadingschool Club member, beader full of fresh ideas and kind friend,

Sangeeta Bahadur!

 

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

My name is Sangeeta and live with my mom in Rotterdam The Netherlands. I have 2 sisters, a niece and nephew too. I am a pharmacist assistant by degree but currently working as a management assistant for a small team at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dutch Government. I enjoy my work but love beading even more! Even though I have an eyesight of only 20% without and 40% with my glasses on due to doctors mistake by birth.

The love for creativity is given to me by my mom (sewing cloths) and grandfather (making paper decorations). I believe to have inherited his character of being a true introvert too. Coming from a rich Indian background where jewelry plays a big role is how I wanted to be able to make my own jewels. I have learned beading by myself through a few Youtube video’s and mostly trying myself. I really don’t know when I started beading but is was off and on for quit some years.

Beadingschool really came in my live at the right time because I was at the point of stopping this beautiful hobby and also stepping away from social media all together.

 

 

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

Beading is my hobby for now. I would love to take it to the next level but simply don’t know how. I’m a slow beader and can only bead when there is a little free time for it and I feel fit enough. You know, somehow everything I do costs a lot of energy especially if everything digital.

I wake up and one of the first things I do is counting my blessings and give my gratitude to the Universe. Then I get ready for the day. I either work from home on Monday and Wednesday or go to the office on Tuesday and Thursday. This is the reason why I can’t join the live classes. How I wish I could. After work it’s time to eat together with mom and do some household shores.

After that I can sometimes bead a little witch brings me so much joy and happiness. Then I get ready for the night with a cosy blanket and a big cup of tea. And before I go to sleep I evaluate the day to take with me what is helping in the service of me, my surroundings, and society and to leave everything that is not.

 

What did beading bring to your life?

Beading for me is like a “suraksha kavach” meaning a protective sheild through which I can share a little bit of magic through happiness and joy. To bring a bit of positivity in the mix. The sparkly jewels represent my inner light that I love to gift to loved ones.

Now that I finally have gained my self-confidence to great something so pretty on my own out of all these tiny beads and elements it’s becoming an important part of my purpose. This is all possible thanks to Beadingschool team and -community.

 

 

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

It’s the first complete set I ever made all in whites and crystal AB. At that time I was afraid to use colors. I still proudly were it to special occasions. It was the first time I dared to combine different stitches into a jewelry set. I remember how long it took me to complete it.

 

 

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

I bead at a corner of our salon table. I don’t have my own beading space but do dream of having the privilege to bead in my own beading area even if it would be just a few m2. My stash is all stored neatly in a corner in my bedroom. Everything needs to be very organized otherwise I can’t create. I always only work on one project at a time. And I do not like to have any UFO’s so I try to avoid that.

 

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?

I don’t think I have a favorite stitch although I seem to use RAW the most because of the versatility of it. I love layered beadwork and whatever stitch wants to be part of it will be added. My favorite color is pink. Fuchsia, red, purple, turquoise and for the findings or components champagne gold are part of my go to’s.

For the longest time I couldn’t use dark brown, bronze, yellow and orange. But now I’m not afraid of these colors anymore. Black I only use as an accent. I don’t like the half crystal colors on a bead.

 

 

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

I love to follow instructions of Beadingschool they are so well written and visually made. This is very important for me. And because of the safety of Beadingschool community I have learned a lot to try in designing my own jewels. I don’t know if I have my own style yet but in my dream I would love to create elegant, intricate an rich pieces.

 

Who are your favorite designers? Why?

Veronika, Erika, Zuzi and everyone at and connected to Beadingschool. Because seeing their exquisite designs have made my wish from the past come true as in it is possible. The love for beadwork did come to me for a reason.

 

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

I really can’t pick just one. All of Erika’s designs are masterpieces each. I love the Live Design sessions she does nowadays during the Beadingschool Academy themes so much. To see her creative mind at work on the spot.

 

 

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

The 27 and 35 mm Cabochons, Art Cabochons and gold components with Zirconia in them are the most precious for me. I keep a hold on them until I find the right jewel for them to shine in it.

 

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?

That would be my “nani” grandmother and “nana” grandfather from mom’s site. Because they are a great inspiration for not only me but everyone they met in life. I had the privilege to meet nani in real life in my childhood years only for a very short time. Nana I have never met in real life. Both are very dear to me because I experience them to be my guiding angels every day. So do my Guru and Gurumaa who teached me how to walk on my way of spirituality. They too are an great inspiration to all they meet.

 

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

For now I just go with the flow. I would love to be able to share a design with everyone one day through Beadingschool. Maybe someday I will learn these skills too who knows…

 

Where can we see and buy your designs?

At the moment I haven’t got any socials with my jewels. My loved ones are trying to encourage me to take the next step and show the world my pretties. There is even a name popping up in my mind for it but I’m not ready yet for this.

Thank you 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for answering our questions, Sangeeta!

I appreciate your bravery of letting us to know you better and I loved reading about your life. I look forward to seeing every jewel you’re going to share with us. I wish you lots of inspiration and ideas on your beading journey. We’re thankful for having you in the community, for your kindness and also beautiful jewels.  🙂

 

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

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