A wave of art and crafts groups has swept across the southern portion of The Villages in the past few years. Unlike many crafts, beads can be found on everything, from contemporary art and fashion designs to more traditional regalia pieces found at powwows.
As small or insignificant as they are, there’s a lot of value in end-products in the bead-making itself.
Here, in The Villages, the beading group has been around for two years, letting residents make various beaded items like necklaces, bracelets, earrings and anklets.
The Beaders, led by Margaret Rath, is a new crop of beaders who are now taking on the craft and completely modernizing it. The group gathers from 10 a.m. to noon on the first and third Thursday of the month at Water Lily Recreation Center to create a variety of items using different beads.
“I’ve always done counted cross-stitch and all different crafts,” said Rath, of the Village of Fenney. For her, beading “is just another venue to try. It’s a great stimulation to the mind. It keeps your mind and hands busy.”
Rath has been beading for more than 20 years. Her initial beading interest rose while living in Palm Beach.
She focuses on teaching new people the basics of the craft. Those who have experience in beading will work on their projects, chat among themselves and work on creative designs. Some people show up around the holidays to make some gifts.
“I like how they see things differently,” Rath said. “I get a lot of enjoyment watching them get enjoyment.”
During the pandemic shutdown, Rath and the group made beaded chains for face masks or eyeglasses.