Beadcraft by Mary Dayle McCormick

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Mary Dayle’s Beaded Jewelry
by Keetha DePriest Reed for Life in the Delta

    Many readers know Mary Dayle McCormick through the storied McCormick Book Inn in Greenville and Life in the Delta's "Delta Book Reads." What you ay not know is that the writer and business owner is also a talented artisan and holds a master's degree in art. The most recent expression for her artistry is unique jewelry and other items.

    Mary Dayle first experimented with jewelry making when she wanted a necklace to go with a certain outfit. She took apart some old necklaces and rewired them. She next explored the craft when she was searching for unique bookmarks to sell at their bookstore. She had trouble finding a product unique enough and hit upon the idea of making them herself. She taught herself, learning through trial and error.

    The first bookmarks she created were made with grosgrain ribbon and glass beads. Later she experimented with bookmarks of leather straps and thin chain. Mary Dayle also began using semi-precious stones and pieces from old necklaces, such as mother of pearl and ivory.

    After first seeing her bookmarks, customers began requesting bookmarks with crosses on them. She made several, which sold out during the Christmas holidays. Necklaces followed and from there, making earrings was a natural progression.

    Her husband, Hugh, had a difficult time finding a reading glass chain to fit him because of his height. Mary Dayle made a custom one for him and began selling beaded ones as well.

   From the bookmark requests, she was inspired to make beaded crosses.

    She usually uses brass or copper wire. She mixes glass beads with semi-precious stones, such as jade, amethyst, freshwater pearls, garnets, quartz, and agate. (The varying hues of the beads look gorgeous when hung in front of a window, allowing the sun to stream through them!) Mary Dayle also creates her own beads, forming them from polymer clay. Hugh attends estate sales and looks for beads for Mary Dayle to use in her creations. He searches for old necklaces and bracelets that have interesting beads and stones.

    "I really enjoy working with these stones," says Mary Dayle. "I don't like the fussy cuts. I really like the natural shape of the stones."

    Each cross has three rolled edges at each end and at the center. Mary Dayle crafts them this way deliberately to represent the Holy Trinity. "A cross is a very strong religious symbol. A cross is right angles, it has ends and it all joins in the middle. Everything leads to the heart of the cross," says Mary Dayle. "If a circle is a symbol of eternity, maybe the cross is a symbol of not only the sacrifice, but also of life right here and now. I think about these things while I'm doing this."

    Crafting these works of art is a calming activity. "I can't stand to just sit and watch TV. I like working with the shapes and the feeling stones in my hands and fingers. It's a very rhythmic thing - the tying and wrapping of wire," says Mary Dayle. "It involves a lot of the elements of art. It really suits me. This is something I can do and enjoy. Whoever gets it, it will mean something to them, hopefully. While I work I think about who will be wearing it."

    To see these crosses, bookmarks, necklaces, earrings, and eyeglass chains, visit McCormick Book Inn at 825 S. Main Street in Greenville.