Patti Eaton - Mad Valentine Creations

The Origin – Where I Source My Stones: I source stones from all around the world. My two main ways are through Nature’s Treasures and trusted online suppliers. I’m always hunting for unique stones that already have their own story to tell — stones with interesting colors, patterns, or energy that speak to me. I don’t just buy what’s popular — I look for the ones that feel special and one-of-a-kind.

The Craft – My Creation Process: I am completely self-taught. Everything I know, I learned through trial, error, and lots of practice. For my necklaces: I always start with the stone. I create a beaded bezel around it using the peyote stitch to lock the stone securely in place. Once the stone is set, I pull from a huge variety of beads, bones, and other stones to build a completely unique necklace around it. No two are ever the same. For my earrings: I treat them like “paintings with beads.” I use brick stitch to create all kinds of patterns and designs. It’s very artistic and lets me play with color and shape in fun ways. Every single piece is handmade with love and attention to detail.

The Story – The Inspiration Behind My Pieces: I actually started beading in 2020 during a really hard time. I was feeling very isolated and my mental health had taken a dip. Beading became my therapy. It helped me slowly find beauty and joy in the world again, one bead at a time. Now, nothing makes me happier than watching someone’s face light up when they find their special piece — that moment when a necklace or pair of earrings feels like it was made just for them. That connection is truly what keeps me creating.