Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Keville.
Hi Courtney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in Austin, I’ve grown up surrounded by the creative community. My mom taught me how to bead embroider when I was just six years old. My Aunt owned a bead store in Santa Rosa, California and taught me how to bead and work a cash register. In 2006 my family opened Sea Of Beads and I’ve worked there ever since. I love that I get to be around beads all day, work with my incredible father, and meet so many great artists that shop with us.
I sold jewelry to friends and family but got tired of the same old designs and I felt my creativity started to lack, so I went back to my embroidery roots. I began hand bead-embroidering sew on patches, which I had never seen at the time so I had to improvise my techniques!
I started setting up at local markets when I was 15, and after 15 years of attending, I decided to start my own market, Mutiny Market. I wanted to create a community of small artists and vintage sellers that supported each other equally, help them grow, and give them the confidence to flourish as artists. I’m incredibly grateful for the support this community has given me and continues to do so.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve been lucky enough to have a day to day job that gives me a steady paycheck. It allows me to really do whatever I want with my personal business under the name of The Bead Bitch. I make what inspires me and stuff that I love, I don’t make anything I don’t want to. Sometimes that hurts sales because my work isn’t for everyone. I’ve done markets that only my mom bought pieces, or I didn’t sell anything and that’s hard not to take personally or get discouraged. It’s taken me a long time to be confident and comfortable with my art, despite the praise and support I have received. A couple of years ago, something just clicked and I stopped worrying about what people would think about my art; that made my confidence and work flourish!
Owning a family business can be tricky and scary at times. I work really well with my father and we have an awesome staff that is practically family.
In 2009 we were barely surviving like the rest of the country, but with the support of the Austin community, we outlasted! COVID has really changed our operations, it forced us to have more of an online presence and have an online inventory to reach more people that couldn’t shop in person. Being a local, small business can be rough but it’s more rewarding than anything! We’ve had some hard times but thankfully, we have a really supportive community backing us.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My favorite thing I create is definitely the bead embroidered patches. I put a lot of work into each one that I make. When I finish a piece sometimes, I look at it and I think “damn, I really made this!” The very first patch I made was HUGE and it took me forever. It was so worth all the back and hand pain it caused me! I had my co-worker draw my idea because I couldn’t draw a stick figure to save my life at that time. We created a masterpiece of a unicorn fighting a narwhal with a storm and ocean scene, it’s my pride and joy. I wore it on my jacket for about six years and finally cut it off and framed it. It now sits on my table at Mutiny Market as part of my display, but I would never sell it!
Because I use the smallest seed beads available, my patches are meticulously detailed and I think that sets me apart from other beaders. Each patch takes a minimum of 3 hours, even if it’s an itty bitty one!
I still use the same techniques and materials I started with. I draw it out, paint/color in the drawing, bead one bead at a time on top, add a faux suede backing, and finally finish with a beaded edge. Each patch is a labor of love that is one of a kind.
When I began making beaded patches about twelve years ago, I hadn’t seen anyone else doing it so that also makes my work unique. I like to create my own little characters more than I like to make pop culture characters. One character I obviously didn’t create is Bobby Hill, but he’s one of my favorite patches I’ve made.
I also have had the luxury of being immersed in the art world at a super young age, and my mom teaching me at six definitely sparked my creative brain and it hasn’t slowed a bit. Having over twenty years of experience has given me confidence and the ability to teach others how to utilize their own skills!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I’m extroverted enough to love connecting with other local artists and vendors of all kinds, but I also love my alone time. Being in my little office, surrounded by art and trinkets that I love really does inspire me and helps me continue to create things I love and am proud of. Patience is key, and I try to keep in mind that it’s okay if I spent six hours making something that didn’t turn out quite right – nothing is a waste of time, regardless of the outcome.
Having worked at my family’s bead store for literally half my life has given me a lot of experience in communicating and working with all kinds of people. I think that mutual support goes a long way, and if I can inspire or help someone with less experience than me that gives me joy and excitement. I think it’s amazing to see people surpass their own expectations and continue to grow!
I have seen friends, students, vendors, and other artists grow after they got their start with me and that makes me so proud. I love collaborating with other artists in any way I can. Whether it’s beading patches for vintage clothing or beading onto sterling silver components, my friend made. I believe it connects us and it’s exciting to see things we create together!
Contact Info:
- Email: Thebeadb1tch@gmail.com
- Website: Seaofbeads.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_bead_bitch/
Image Credits
Photo #3 – evil eye earrings with beaded fringe was a collaboration with Roots Metals (@rootsmetals) photo taken by Alexandra Pettinato (@photolexx) Photo #4 – vintage jumpsuit with tiger patch – vintage from Lucid Voyage Vintage (@lucidvoyageboutique) Photo by Collin Findlay (@collinfindlayphotography)
