Daily Blogs : Bead Embroidery, Stringing, Bead Crochet

Making Mistakes: How to Correct Five Common Mistakes in Your Beadwork

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:00:00 GMT

When I was learning how to bead, I made loads of mistakes. Nobody's perfect, right? And that goes double for me, especially when it comes to my beading. Now that I've been beading for many, many years, I'd like to say that I make fewer mistakes. I'd like to say that, but I can't. Mistakes still happen, no matter how good you are at beading, but I've learned that it's not the mistakes you make when you're learning how to bead that matter -- it's how you correct them!


If you need to tear out some stitches, always remove your needle from your beading thread before ripping out stitches. Don't stitch back through the beadwork to undo your stitching!

Correcting your mistakes properly when you're learning how to bead can make all the difference between creating a durable piece of beadwork and creating a piece of beadwork that falls apart when you least expect it.

1. Splitting your beading thread. It doesn't seem like a big deal, particularly when you are learning how to bead, but splitting your thread can create a whole lot of problems with your beadwork. If you prefer to use nylon beading threads like Nymo or Silamide (and I still love my Nymo for bead embroidery!), you should always pay attention to avoid splitting your thread with your needle, even if you condition your beading thread before you start beading.

If you do split your thread, the best thing to do is to remove your beading stitches until you come to the place in the beadwork where the split thread occurred. Leave a thread tail long enough to weave in, trim your thread, and end it there. It's better to start a new thread than to continue weaving with a thread that's been weakened by a split. A split thread can show up weeks or months later as a hole in your precious beadwork!

2. Using the wrong color (or type or size) of bead. This was a biggie for me when I first started learning how to bead, and it still is to some extent. It happens to everyone, and sometimes you don't even notice it until you're finished with your beading project. To correct this mistake in beading, you always have the option of tearing out the beadwork, removing the bead, and replacing it with the correct bead.

If that's not an option, you can always just leave the bead in there and call it a Spirit Bead in the Native American tradition. (Native American beadwork usually contains one bead of the wrong color placed somewhere in the beadwork on purpose to remind of the fact that nothing made by human hands can ever be perfect!)

3. Removing a knot from your beading thread. Knots in your beading thread are just no fun at all. Knots in your beading thread are relatively easy to remove if you are using a gel-spun thread like Fireline or Wildfire, but can take a little extra effort if you're using a nylon thread like Nymo, Silamide or S-Lon.

To remove a knot from your beading thread, insert a beading needle or beading awl into the center of the knot and wiggle it until you feel the knot loosen. You can continue to work the knot loose with your beading awl or beading needle. When you discover a knot in your beading thread, never EVER yank on it! Pulling on the knot will only tighten it and make it even harder to remove the knot from your beading thread!

When loosening a knot in your beading thread, take care not to split your thread if you're using a nylon beading thread.


	If you need to break a bead to remove it from your beading project, don't grasp it around the middle with your pliers. You might also cut your stringing material or beading thread!


	To break a bead, grasp it around the outside edges and squeeze gently. Don't forget to wear your safety glasses to prevent glass from flying into your eyes!

4. How to properly break a bead. If you find that you need to remove a bead from your beadwork or from your bead crochet project, you can easily smash the bead with a pair of pliers and remove it. The trick to crushing a bead with a pair of pliers and not cutting your thread is all in which direction you break the bead. To avoid cutting your thread, position the pliers so that they are on the top and bottom outside edge of the bead, and then squeeze the pliers gently. Don't put the pliers around the center of the bead -- the crushing of the bead will most likely cut your thread as well!

5. Tearing out stitches. Most of us are familiar with "frog stitch", or "rip it, rip it" when we have to tear out a few stitches or a few rows of our beadwork. And did you know that there's a right way and a wrong way to tear out your beading stitches?

I used to bead with a woman who, once she had her beading needle threaded, would not remove it for any reason that did not include blood or fire. When she made a mistake in her bead-weaving, she would stitch back through the beads until she came to the mistake and then remove it. Unfortunately, this method for correcting mistakes in your beadwork can lead to split threads, broken beads, and knots in your beading thread.

Instead, it's always better to remove your needle from your beading thread and then gently pull out each of the beads and beading stitches until you reach the mistake. Yes, this means you have to thread your needle again, but in the long run, it means that your beadwork will be stronger and more durable.

Are you ready to make picture-perfect jewelry? Need some inspiration? Check out Bead Star 2011, now on sale in the Beading Daily Shop! Every year, the Bead Star competition draws some of today's most talented bead artist and jewelry makers, and our special issue Bead Star 2011 is a collection of the best entries. You'll find new beading and jewelry making techniques, great ideas for beaded jewelry and lots of inspiration for your own beaded jewelry designs. Get your copy of Bead Star 2011 and see just how brightly our 2011 Bead Stars shine!

What's your favorite tip for correcting your mistakes in your beadwork? Do you fix every single mistake in your beadwork, or do you just leave some alone? Leave a comment on the blog and share your thoughts with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Glass Design Challenge Winners, Plus More Beading Contests

MichelleM — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

More than 150 beaders from around the world submitted their designs to the Glass Bead Challenge! The variety of entries was astonishing--every color palette imaginable and all types of glass beads from crystals and pressed glass to lampwork. After the blind judging was complete (entries were judged without any names or identifying information), I was surprised and impressed to learn that several of our winners created the glass beads they used in their designs. Trust Beading Daily members to go the extra mile!

If you did not win, take heart--many of the designs submitted were worthy of publication. What set these designs apart from the crowd were great use of color, the focus on glass beads (the contest theme), and flawless execution of the techniques featured in Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads.

Author's Choice Winner

Candy Collage Necklace
Mary MacVoy

Author Stephanie Sersich enjoyed the colors in this necklace and was impressed at the sewing on the felted balls. Mary MacVoy created the lampwork beads and the felted balls used in this necklace.

Mary is currently obsessed with felt making and embroidery. Visit her blog at: mizmerrymac.blogspot.com

Earrings Category Winner

Where is Spring?
Marsha Melone

This design proves that more isn't always better! I was impressed how Marsha kept this design simple, allowing you to focus on the beautiful lampwork beads, which Marsha created herself. The choice of hammered and coiled copper findings was also unusual.

Marsha has been beading for over 10 years and describers herself as a "techniques junkie." Her favorite techniques are bead crochet, peyote (especially freeform), and bead embroidery. Visit her blog: www.BeadMam.com

Bracelets Category Winner

Jumble Love
Jennifer Judd

I loved the bright combination of colors, as well as the stringing and wireworking combination, which added a bit of texture. It's tempting--and easy--to create symmetrical designs, so I was happy to see how Jennifer played with the concept of symmetry. The lampwork beads are by Lisa New (eBay seller Beadamaniac).

Jennifer's military job influences her designs--she loves original and fun designs that are "out of character with a girl who dresses in camouflage every day." Visit her blog: jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com

Necklaces Category Winner

Romancing the Spring
Samela Dorey

This strung and knotted necklace combines Czech pressed glass beads, vintage glass beads, and a lampworked focal. What impressed me about this piece was something that is barely noticeable--the very polished knotted loop and bead closure that blends seamlessly into the design. Finding (or in this case, creating) the perfect closure is an admirable design skill--and not one that everyone has.

Samela has been designing jewelry since 2002, focusing on silver and gemstones, a combination which she describes as "a perfect marriage." Visit her website: www.beadbumlady.com

Prizes

Each winner received an autographed copy of the new book Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads by Stephanie Sersich. The author's choice winner also received a handcrafted lampwork starfish bead created by Stephanie.

Congratulations to all our winners!

Upcoming Beading Contests/Challenges:

Bead Arts Awards. Deadline: May 1, 2008. Details.
Bead Star. Deadline: May 6, 2008. Details.
Stringing magazine's "Channeling Cinderella" challenge. Deadline: May 16, 2008. Details.
The Bead Museum's first annual juried jewelry design competition. Deadline: August 8, 2008. Details.
Art Bead Scene. Deadline: Last day of each month. Details.

Beadwork will be asking for submissions for its sixth international juried exhibit very soon. Your work could be featured in an exhibit at Bead Expo Santa Fe in 2009 and also in the pages of Beadwork magazine. I'll share the details on Beading Daily in April. I absolutely love the theme that's been chosen and can't wait to talk about it! (Take a look at the entries for the Beaded Bag or the Beaded Figure to get an idea of past exhibits.)

Plus, Beading Daily will host another challenge open to all members! I have several ideas in mind, but I'd love to hear what you think! Do you want to focus on color? A certain type of bead? Or maybe a theme? Do you want to vote for the winners? Or do some of you want to apply to judge a future challenge? Please share your suggestions on the website.

Michelle Mach shares beading news, contests, reader galleries, and other beady stuff every Monday on Beading Daily. If you have comments or questions for Michelle, please post them on the website.

10 Reasons to Bead Happy

MichelleM — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 22:00:00 GMT

Ever have one of those weeks? You rip your skirt getting out of the car, your boss says something upsetting, the grocery store has absolutely no mint chip ice cream . . .

And then something happens to put it all into perspective. In my case, I found a rattlesnake in my garage. Big, poisonous, and looking like his week was going about as well as mine.

That little drama reminded me to first, remember to breathe. And second, stop dwelling on the negatives and instead reflect on some of the wonderful beady things that made me smile during the past three weeks. (Can you believe that's how long Beading Daily has been live?)

10. Beading Daily reader Cariad, who wrote: "I'm enjoying your articles and making use of one from 'Color Your World', mixing not-so-loved beads with much-loved purple. Got to work on a necklace last night at friend's house, and even though it's unfinished and she's not a purple fan, I had to hand her a napkin. Drool is probably bad for the thread."
Trying something new

9. I took my first dichroic glass class and made a tiny glass and PMC pendant. It's always exciting to try something new!

8. The 57 entries in the "I'll Fly Away" Stringing challenge! I was amazed at the diversity—and very, very thankful that I am not allowed to vote in the "Reader's Choice" judging! (You, on the other hand, should hop over and choose your favorite design. The "Reader's Choice" will appear in the winter issue of Stringing.) And to the hundreds who let me know that they wanted to join a Beading Daily challenge, don't worry—your turn is coming!

7. Designer Jean Yates's blog title, which always makes me laugh: "Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done!."
Square-stitched crystals
Coming soon!

6. My friend Jennifer, who not only invited me to her beading group, but also brought me a beaded present: a blue-and-white beaded scissors fob. No one understands you like your beading buddies!

5. Seeing photos of two beaded ledger books by Dallin Maybee that earned the "Best of Show" award at this year's Santa Fe Indian Market. The books were hand-illustrated in watercolor and ink on 1863 ledger paper. Wow!
Luring a new beader

4. My editorial calendar. Imagine buying all these gifts for your friends, wrapping them up, and then having to wait weeks or months before they can be opened. An article on soldering. A project using crystals and square stitch. Bead embroidery tips. Seed bead tips. A wireworked pearl necklace. A bead artist who creates structures using more than 200,000 beads. A bead crochet bag. . . I feel like I'm going to burst every time I look at my calendar. You have no idea how many wonderful goodies are in store for you!

3. Beaded jewelry for pets. (Need I say more?)

2. The employee in a local bead shop who noticed a slight variation in color in some seed beads and suggested spreading them all out on the counter so I could take my time and pick the exact strands that I wanted.

1. A diehard knitting co-worker who (for the third time, not that I'm counting), said, "I thinking about that project in Stringing, the long necklace with the garnets . . . maybe I'll make that." Then she said, (and this was when I knew we had her), "And if it turns out, maybe I'll make some for my sisters in different colors." There's nothing like luring someone new over to the beading side of life!

Don't forget to download this week's featured project, the Harlequin Bracelet from the book, Mastering Beadwork by Carol Huber Cypher. Carol will be teaching at BeadFest Philadelphia this weekend. I'll be at the show too (hanging out at the Interweave booth), so please stop by and say hello!

Attention Seed Beaders!

MichelleM — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 08:00:00 GMT

Hello seed beaders! I bet you thought I forgot all about you, didn't you?

One of the wonderful things—as well as one of the challenges—about Beading Daily is that every bit of the beading world is being covered. This is a very diverse group—we have almost equal numbers of stringers, wireworkers, and beadweavers—plus a host of other folks who enjoy bead embroidery/embellishment, beadmaking (polymer clay, lampworking, metalwork, etc.), loomwork, bead crochet, bead sculpture, and a whole slew of other beady adventures. If you ever feel that I'm neglecting your part of the beading world, please drop me a line and let me know what you'd like to see.

So back to working with seed beads . . .

When I was looking through Mastering Beadwork for a possible Beading Daily project, I felt completely overwhelmed. Which project should I choose? The classic netted pearl collar? The peyote-stitched card case emblazoned with stars? The cabochon securely wrapped with brick stitch? The penta-petal bead created with triangle weave? Every day I had a new favorite. So I finally took the easy way out and asked the author, Carol Huber Cypher, to recommend a project from her book for the intermediate or advanced seed beaders on the Beading Daily list. She selected the Harlequin Bracelet, which uses the African Helix stitch. When I asked her why, she gave this terrific answer:

"Harlequin would be a fine choice. There is the thrill of four differently colored panels separated by checkerboard piping. If the beadweaver hasn't learned African helix already, it is a fun start. It calls on transitioning to peyote AND embellishing the join with fringe! Yippee! Plus a beaded toggle closure."

Doesn't her description just make you want to drop everything and try this project right now?

Fringe! I'll admit that I wasn't familiar with African Helix before this project. It looked a little like bead crochet to me. So what is African Helix anyway?

Here's what Carol said: "African Helix stitch produces a gently swirling rope of three or more panels separated by raised piping. It has more in common with bead crochet and stringing than with bead-weaving, because once the beads are picked up on the thread they are never passed through again. Unlike other off-loom bead-weaving techniques, the beads are incorporated into the beadwork solely by anchoring the thread that carries them to the thread between two previously placed beads."

But what about brick stitch?

"Brick stitch," Carol explained, "does rely on anchoring thread to thread, but it also requires passing back through the new bead."

Beaded toggle! What kinds of projects work well with African Helix?

"This stitch is great for using those cherished beads that have vexing tiny holes such as pearls and gemstones. (Though, gemstones often have ragged holes that break thread.) I love size 12 stripey Czech beads, whose holes can be pesky for peyote and impossible for right-angle weave, but, quite all right for African Helix."

I'll have more from Carol on Friday—she's graciously agreed to answer your questions. So start thinking up what you'd like to know about seed beads or beadweaving or even felted beads. (Carol is also the author of Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads and How We Felt.) You'll be able to post questions right here on Beading Daily.