Working -- Heather Worthing

SHE IS

Creating breathtaking patterns with colorful beads

A CREATIVE JOB

For Heather Worthing, 21, beadwork feels like a hobby, but it is her

full-time job. She works up to 36 hours a week at Bead City, an exclusive

bead store on Harbor Boulevard.

The Costa Mesa resident is a psychology student at Orange Coast

College.

“But when you love something so much, you just make time to be there,”

Worthing said.

It is the creative process that Worthing says she cherishes the most

about her job.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” she said. “I’ve made jewelry since I was 11

years old. I always liked to paint and draw and make these gorgeous

things.”

BEAD MAGIC

Worthing has worked at the store for four years. There, she helps

customers pick out what they want and counsels them on what combinations

would work.

“I have people coming in all the time saying they saw this necklace at

some store and it was really expensive and it was not even in the colors

they wanted,” she said.

So as they describe the necklace to Worthing, she helps them pick out

the beads and strings that will create the jewelry of their dreams.

Although several people make a career of it, Worthing says,

eventually, beadwork is something that will remain her cherished hobby --

a passion.

“I plan to be in the business of psychology,” she said. “So this, for

me, is a creative release. It’s something to get away from all that

logical thinking.”

WORKING HER MAGIC

But Worthing said she would probably sell some of her wares to friends

and acquaintances. And as for family, they can always expect something

dazzling when they open Christmas or birthday presents from her.

Her favorite medium, says Worthing, is crystal and wire.

“I love to work with shades of blue,” she said. “I don’t know why.

It’s been my favorite color since I was tiny.”

She has been self-taught so far, but Worthing says she plans to take

courses offered by some colleges and institutes in soldering or making

metal jewelry.

“That’s the only thing I can’t do,” she said. “It would be wonderful

to be able to work with metal too.”

* Story by Deepa Bharath; photo by