Daily Blogs : Bead Making, Beading Tools

Options for Finishing Your Kumihimo Braids

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

I blame it all on Beadwork magazine Designer of the Year Jill Wiseman. Jill is infamous for getting hundreds of beaders hooked on doing kumihimo with beads through her amazing and easy-to-follow classes at big bead shows like Bead Fest Philadelphia.

Above: Jill Wiseman gets me hooked on kumihimo.

Below: My five-year-old son gets in on the action and helps me load a set of beads for a kumihimo braid.

Last summer, I decided to see what all the fuss was about, and signed up for one of Jill's kumihimo classes. The name sounded innocent enough: Basic Kumihimo With Beads. Harmless, right? Just another fun beading class with a bunch of fun ladies?

Well, after that one class, I was hooked. And not just hooked, like having a summer crush on the cute lifeguard at the pool. We're talking maniacal, borderline obsessive-compulsive disorder, here. I can't go for a long ride in the car without bringing along a couple of foam kumihimo discs, loaded with beads and threads. Even my five-year-old son has gotten into kumihimo, learning from his momma how to string beads onto the threads using a big-hole needle!

So now that I've been bitten by the kumihimo bug (thanks a lot, Jill), I'm looking for different ways to finish those pesky ends of my beaded kumihimo braids. So far, here's what I've come up with:

1. Glue, beading wire, and end caps. The easiest way to finish your kumihimo braids is the way I learned in Jill's class, using a glue like E6000 and a pair of end caps. Tie off your braid using beading thread and snip it, then coat the plain braid with a generous amount of glue. Slip a piece of beading wire through the space between the plain braid and the beaded braid, and through the end cap. Slip on a bead, a crimp, and your clasp, squash the crimp, and then thread the ends of the beading wire back down into the end cap.

2. Use the ends for button and loop closures. Of course, because I have these trust issues with glue, I thought about using the braided ends to create a button and loop closure on a simple bracelet. It worked!

Make one end of the plain braid long enough that you can tie it into a small loop, and sew your button to that small loop. Make the other end long enough to wrap around that button, and then tie off the long thread ends. (And, yes, a little bit of glue would help to keep those loops secure.)

When you're working this technique for making a button and loop closure on your kumihimo braids, just take care to leave extra-long thread tails so that you can work them into the braid with a needle without too much difficulty.

3. Add a piece of wire to one end. I haven't quite mastered it, yet, but there's a way to insert a small piece of craft wire or beading wire at the very beginning of your kumihimo braid for use in attaching a clasp to the finished project. This could also be used to attach a button for finishing, and then making a loop with the other unbeaded end of the braid as suggested previously.

Again, since I have trust issues with glue, the other way to finish your beaded kumihimo ropes is to make a shorter braid at the beginning and end of each piece, and then insert a piece of craft wire, making a wrapped loop around the plain braid. Leave enough wire to accommodate your end cap, slip on the end cap, and then make another wrapped loop where you can attach your clasp. Look, ma, no glue!

4. Make Your Own Endcaps. I'll be exploring this last one in greater depth over the coming weeks: the idea of making your own beautiful, custom beaded endcaps to finish your beaded kumihimo braids. I mean, why not? Sometimes, I think life is too short to use pre-made jewelry findings. Why not tap into all your bead-weaving skills and use your favorite beading stitches like peyote, herringbone, or even tubular right-angle weave to create your own custom kumihimo endcaps?

Have you been bit by the kumihimo bug? Make sure you check out all the fabulous ideas for making and using kumihimo braids in Beadwork and Jewelry Stringing magazines! Find inspiration with product reviews, bead news, basic and advanced techniques, and innovative beading projects from your favorite designers. Right now, as part of the Summer Sidewalk Sale, subscriptions to both Beadwork and Jewelry Stringing are on sale! Make sure you subscribe to one (or both) of these comprehensive beading resources, and check out all the great deals through June 23, 2013 in the Beading Daily Shop!

Do you have a great idea for finishing your beaded kumihimo ropes? Do you have trust issues with your glue, like me? Do you prefer the wrapped loop method? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your tips and techniques with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Are Two Needles Better Than One? Double Needle Right-angle Weave

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Once upon a time, in the middle of a long Adirondack winter, a lonely beader found that she needed a project to keep her occupied while she searched for a job. On a whim, she opened up her old copy of the "White Russian" beading book, and decided to challenge herself with a double-needle right-angle weave project depicting three horses charging ahead through what looked like a frozen Siberian tundra.

Yes, I was that beader, and no, I never got around to finishing that double-needle right-angle weave project because looking at the graph for too long made me dizzy!

Picking such an ambitious first project for double-needle right-angle weave may or may not be the reason I seldom use that technique these days, but once in a while, I find that knowing how to navigate the thread path of right-angle weave using two needles can definitely come in handy.

Using two needles for right-angle weave means that there are less thread passes through each bead. This comes in handy when you want to use beads with smaller holes, like my beloved Czech seed beads or vintage seed beads. You can also use a thicker thread without worrying much about breaking beads or needles with these tiny seed beads.

And speaking of seed beads and right-angle weave, those seed beads tend to sit tighter against each other, at better angles, when you work with two needles. Because those beads are sitting closer to each other, you're not going to see as much thread showing, either, which is great for some of us who have thread issues when it comes to our bead-weaving projects. (Yes, I'll say it out loud: I'm one of those beaders who will positively freak out if she sees the tiniest bit of thread poking out between beads while I'm stitching.)

A few of my favorite tips for learning how to do double-needle right-angle weave:

1. Don't use super-long thread. Start out with a length of thread that you're comfortable with, or just slightly shorter than your normal length of beading thread. Thread a needle on either end, and start by pushing your beads to the center of the thread.

2. Condition your thread. Using a thread conditioner, even on beading threads like Fireline, will reduce tangles.

3. Start with bigger beads. Just like when learning any new beading stitch, start out by using big beads, or even pony beads and shoelaces!

And even if making a beaded panel depicting three horses charging through a Siberian landscape isn't quite your cup of tea, knowing how to do some basic double-needle right-angle weave has many practical uses, like making a quick-and-easy start for a beaded chain, or a right-angle weave base that can be used for a cabochon bezel or a basic beaded bracelet.

If you're fascinated by bead-weaving stitches and all of their many and glorious variations, Carol Cypher's Mastering Beadwork is a book that belongs in your collection of beading books. Because it's such a comprehensive resource and well-illustrated guide, my copy is never far from my beading table when I sit down to design a new project. Whether you're just getting started with bead-weaving or you've already mastered a number of beading stitches, you'll want to make sure that you have a copy of Mastering Beadwork for reference and inspiration when the need to bead strikes!

Can't wait to peek inside? Mastering Beadwork is available as an instant download, with all the same great content as the print edition, but ready to view on your favorite desktop or laptop computer in just minutes!

Do you use double-needle right-angle weave? Do you have any advice for mastering this bead-weaving technique? Have you found a practical use for double-needle right-angle weave? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your discoveries and questions with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Getting Started With Wire Wrapping

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Even though I'm no wire expert (at least, not yet!), just like any other craft, before you get started with wire wrapping, it's good to have a firm foundation on which you can build your wire wrapping skills. As I've worked my way through scads of wire jewelry projects in the last couple of years, I realized that there are three things that can make or break a wire wrapping project for me:

1. Know Your Wire Wrapping Tools. Before you start any wire wrapping project, it's always a good idea to have the proper tools on hand. Understanding the capabilities of each pair of wire wrapping pliers can make the difference between a successful project or a whole lot of frustration and wasted wire. Of course, there's something to be said for improvisation: even if I don't happen to have the exact tool called for in a wire wrapping project, I know enough about the tools that I already have that I can usually use them with great success.

2. Know Your Wire. Knowing about wire gauge, wire hardness, and the types of metal used to make wire all play a part in choosing the right materials for successful wire wrapping projects. It's always a good idea to practice with brass or colored craft wire before moving on to the more expensive precious metal wire.

3. Brush Up On Wire Basics. You might not know it yet, but if you can make a perfect wire wrapped loop or a pair of matching ear wires, chances are, you've already got the necessary skills to create stunning wire wrapped jewelry. In any craft, having a solid foundation to build on is the most important part of creating perfect finished jewelry projects.

Want to get to know your wire wrapping tools and your wire? Try this easy filigree-inspired wire wrapping project!

Materials:

5 feet 18 gauge colored copper wire (I used brass color)
24-30 6mm OD jump rings in color to match or contrast with wire
3-6 10mm beads for dangles

Tools:

Flush cutters
Chain nose or combination pliers
Flat nose pliers
Jump ring opener (optional, but useful)
1/2 inch wooden dowel or mandrel

		Step 1: Cut 3 feet of wire. Leaving a 1" tail, make two wraps around your dowel. Remove the wire loop from the dowel, and place the dowel against the straight section of wire. Make two more wraps around the dowel. Every time you make two wraps around the dowel, remove the dowel and move it against a straight section of wire. You'll be able to create a series of little loops that look like bubbles.

		Step 2: Continue making loops and "bubbles" until you have about 1" of wire left. Make two small simple loops at either end of the pendant. Use your fingers to gently shape and straighten the pendant.

		Step 3: Open all the jump rings. Use two jump rings to "connect" each pair of loops in your pendant. You may have to gently coax the loops towards each other to make the jump rings fit.

		Step 4: To make the dangles, pick the bottom loops on which you want them to hang. Cut approximately 1" of wire for each dangle. Make a tiny bend in one end of the wire, then smash it together with your flat nose pliers. Slide on your bead, then make a simple loop at the top and hang it on the appropriate loop on the bottom of the pendant.

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced wire wrapping artist, you'll find plenty of projects to love in Artisan Filigree. With projects inspired by beautiful ironwork, wire wrapping artist extraordinaire Jodi Bombardier has created twenty-one graceful wire wrapped jewelry projects suitable for all skill levels. Plus, with the comprehensive wire wrapping basics at the front of the book, with a little practice, you'll be wire wizard in no time at all! Get your copy of Artisan Filigree and wrap your way to elegant wire wrapped jewelry. If you can't wait to get started, no worries -- Artisan Filigree is also available as a digital download, ready for viewing on your favorite desktop or laptop computer in just minutes.

For a very limited time, until June 9, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. MDT, you can take advantage of this special Artisan Filigree bundle -- get the print copy and the eBook for the same price as the print edition!

What would you say is the single most important bit of knowledge or skill to develop when learning how to do wire wrapping? Have you embarked on any interesting wire wrapping projects lately? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your thoughts with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Do Ergonomic Tools Make a Difference in Jewelry Making?

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Just in time for this blog, what should land in my mailbox but a brand-new set of ergonomic jewelry-making tools from Cousin Corporation? It got me wondering, would using ergonomic tools for my wire jewelry-making projects really make

that much of a difference?

What Makes Ergonomic Jewelry-making Pliers Different?


	*The difference between ergonomic and regular beading tools: ergonomic round nose pliers on the left, regular round nose pliers on the right (red handles)*

Most jewelry-making pliers are made to fit comfortably in your hand with rounded and padded handles. The head and jaws of a pair of regular jewelry-making pliers sits straight at the top of the tool. Because of the way the jaws are situated, getting those pliers into a tight spot means you have to angle your hand, fingers, and wrist. If you engage in several hours of jewelry-making using these kinds of pliers, you might find yourself suffering from pain caused by muscle fatigue.

Look at a pair of ergonomic jewelry-making pliers, and you'll see the differences right away. The head and jaws are bent at a slight angle, making it easier to get those pliers into tight spaces when you're working on a wire jewelry-making project, or even a chain maille project.

A pair of ergonomic jewelry-making pliers has one long handle and one short handle, and both handles are curved inward to fit better between the base of your thumb and your curved fingers. A better fit means more comfort when you're holding your jewelry-making pliers for a long time, resulting in less muscle fatigue and pain.

Are Ergonomic Jewelry-making Pliers Right for Everybody?

I used this set of Precision Comfort ergonomic jewelry-making tools from Cousin Corporation to play around with an easy wire jewelry-making project I designed, and I found that yes, indeed, tasks like opening and closing jump rings and making loops in my wire were much easier using the ergonomic tools.

That said, after years of using regular jewelry-making pliers, it took me a little while to get used to the feel of these ergonomic beading tools in my hand. I've only used them on a few projects, but I'll be using these exclusively in the next few weeks to see how they feel and what kind of a difference they make in my jewelry-making and beading projects.

Ergonomic jewelry-making tools are ideal for anyone who loves to make jewelry but suffers from arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, where holding a regular pair of jewelry-making pliers can turn into a painful experience rather quickly. Since I suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome flare-ups in the winter when the mountain air is usually very dry, I can understand why having an easy-to-grip set of jewelry-making pliers would be essential for me.

Even if you don't suffer from any kind of physical malady that makes holding your jewelry-making pliers difficult, having a set of ergonomic beading tools can not only improve your jewelry-making skills, but can also make your beading projects better and last longer. I found this Precision Comfort tool set to be the perfect entry-level set of beading tools for someone who wants to try a set of ergonomic jewelry-making pliers. Who knows? I bought my first set of inexpensive jewelry-making pliers way back in 1998, and I'm still using them today!

Get Dozens of Easy Wire Jewelry-Making Projects At Your Fingertips!

Ready to take your ergonomic jewelry tools for a spin? Check out all of the amazing wire jewelry-making projects in Easy Wire 2013. You'll find dozens of beautiful, colorful, and easy wire jewelry-making projects for bracelets, necklaces, and earrings that use your favorite beads and jewelry findings. If you haven't seen the latest in wire jewelry designs, you'll be thrilled to see things like ribbons, beads, leather, and even hardware in these innovative wire jewelry projects! Pre-order your copy of Easy Wire 2013 and be one of the first to see the future of wire jewelry-making projects. Or, if you just absolutely can't wait to see the designs and start beading, Easy Wire 2013 is also available as an instant download, ready for viewing in just minutes on your favorite desktop or laptop computer!

What do you think about ergonomic beading tools, especially for wire jewelry-making? Do you prefer using ergonomic tools to regular beading pliers? Leave a comment and share your thoughts and opinions here on the Beading Daily blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Make This Easy Wire Jewelry Project Using Your Favorite Glass Beads!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Welcome to Wonderful Wire Week here on Beading Daily! This week, I'm going to explore just a few of the ways in which wire jewelry has woven its way into my beading and jewelry-making projects, and I hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Not so long ago, I was a wire wimp. I was a great admirer of folks who could make wire jewelry, but never felt comfortable making it myself. A couple of things changed all that for me: the first was working on a couple of innovative wire and bead-weaving projects from the very talented Rachel Nelson-Smith; the second was learning how to do Viking knit. Suddenly, the wire world was my oyster, and I realized that the basic wire jewelry skills that I had been practicing for all those years could easily be used to create spectacular bead and wire jewelry!

One of the things I love about my basic wire jewelry skills is that I can take a handful of leftover glass beads, some pretty colored copper wire, and in just a few minutes, crank out a fun and funky piece of beaded wire jewelry. When I had a few of these beautiful picasso-coated Czech glass beads left over from a larger project, I grabbed my trusty flush cutters and combination pliers and got to work turning them into a fun and easy wire bracelet.

The secret to making this bracelet is to go easy on yourself: don't worry if your wire coils aren't perfect. I didn't have a mandrel handy for making my coils, so I just used the round jaw of my combination pliers to make my coils. If you have lots of different colors of wire and one solid color of bead, you can make each coil a different color for a rainbow effect. Have fun!

Materials:

For this wire jewelry project, you'll need at least 5 feet of 18 gauge copper wire, in whatever color(s) match your glass beads
An assortment of glass beads. I used some leftover Czech glass picasso beads in the shapes of barrels and rondelles

Tools

Flush cutters
Combination pliers
Chain nose pliers
Flat nose pliers

Step-by-step Instructions:

		Step 1: Use short lengths of the wire to make units with wrapped loops on either end. Measure your links to figure out how many wire coils you'll need to make to place in between each wire wrapped bead unit. (I made my beaded units about 1 inch long.)

		Step 2: To make the coils, cut a 6 inch length of 18 gauge wire. Using a mandrel (or the round jaw of a round nose or combination pliers) to make your coils. Place the center of the wire on your mandrel or pliers and make a series of even wraps. Trim the ends of the coil.

		Step 3: To make your end loops, gently bend the coil in the center, and when the ends separate, gently grasp the last wrap with your chain nose pliers. Bend the wrap at a 90 degree angle to form a loop.

		Step 4: Open the ends of the coils the same way you would a simple loop and attach the wire wrapped links.

		Step 5: To make the hook for one end of the clasp, take a 6 inch piece of wire and make a sharp bend in the middle of the wire. Use your flat nose pliers to flatten the loop.

		Step 6: Make a bend in the double wire about 1 inch from the end. Use your round nose pliers to make a subtle upward bend in the tip of the hook.

		Step 7: Grasping the hook with your flat nose pliers, take one piece of wire and make a few wraps around the other piece. Trim the wire close to the wraps.

		Step 8: Before you finish closing the wrapped loop, slip it onto one end of your bracelet. Finish wrapping the loop, and trim the wire close to the wraps.

There are so many ways you can play with this basic design! Include bead caps, crystal beads, or even paper beads or a lightweight alternative. Mix up the colors of your wire, or add a pre-made clasp if you don't want to make your own. But as long as you can make basic wire-wrapped loops, you can take this wire jewelry design and make it your own.

Inspired to start working with wire? Check out the all-new Wireworker's Companion by Denise Peck and Jane Dickerson. Get all the reference information you need about wire gauge, wire tools, basic wire jewelry techniques, and even more advanced techniques like chain maille and working with a micro torch. Or if you can't wait to take a peek, get your copy of the Wireworker's Companion instantly as an eBook! All the same great content as the print version, but ready to read on your favorite desktop or laptop in just minutes.

What about you? Have you tried making your own wire jewelry yet? Was there one special wire jewelry project that really got you hooked on making wire jewelry? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and tell us about it!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Infuse Your Beadwork with Native American Symbolism

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Native American beadwork has a rich heritage of symbolism through the use of colors, gemstones, and animal totems to tell stories and convey meaning. If you're looking to infuse your beadwork with a few special and meaningful symbols, check out some of these suggestions for including symbolic beads and colors in your next beading project.

Symbolism of Gemstones in Native American Beadwork

Turquoise: One of the most popular stones used in Native American beadwork, turquoise is believed to help overcome illness and bring strength to the wearer. Native American lore tells us that when the Great Creator finished creating Mother Earth, he threw all of the remaining turquoise up into the sky, giving us the beautiful blue color to look at every day.

Coral: While not technically a gemstone, coral also has its place in Native American beadwork. It is believed to be a very soothing stone, and to be able to assist with disorders of the blood. It is also considered to be a very protective stone.

Howlite: Beautiful howlite, with its light grey matrix against a stark white background, is believed to assist in concentration, relieving insomnia, and as a general relief for stress. Howlite can be dyed and sold as imitation turquoise and even imitation coral, but in its natural state, it mixes beautifully with both genuine turquoise and genuine coral!

Symbolism of Animals in Native American Beadwork

You can find beautifully carved gemstone animal beads in many local bead shops and online beading supply companies, and I love using these beads in all kinds of jewelry-making projects!

Bear: Bears are probably the easiest carved gemstone bead to find, when you're looking for Native American-style gemstone beads to add to your beading projects. In Native American lore, the bear is considered to be one of the most powerful symbols, representing both strength and power. Because bears hibernate, it is also thought to be a symbol of renewal.

Turtle: I have in my collection a number of beautiful little turtle beads, carved from both bone and gemstones. There may be a reason I'm always attracted to these Native American symbols, since the turtle is a symbol of nurturing, Mother Earth, and being grounded.

Wolf: Another very popular symbol used in Native American beadwork, the wolf is a symbol of intuition, finding your path, and is thought to be a powerful spirit guide for those who are looking for a deeper meaning in their lives.

Symbolism of Colors in Native American Beadwork

The colors you use in your beading projects can also convey a meaning, based on these ideas from the traditions of Native American beadwork:

Green: A representation of plant life, the Earth, and the season of summer. When green paint was worn under the eyes, it was believed to give powerful night vision to the wearer.

White: White is used to represent snow, death, or winter. It was used a symbol of peace when used as face paint.

Red: Red is the color used to symbolize thunder, day, and sunset.

Blue: If you want to convey the meaning of the sky, water, clouds, lightning, the moon, or sadness, look to shades of blue for your beadwork.

Yellow: Sunshine, day, and dawn are all represented by the color yellow in traditional Native American beadwork.

Black: Black is used to represent night, cold, and disease.

Infuse Your Beadwork with Native American Symbolism

You can use any of these ideas for including a little bit of Native American symbolism and meaning in your beading projects. Think outside the bead: change up the colors of a project to include your own special meanings from the suggestions here, or include a tiny carved Native American gemstone totem animal in the fringe of your next bead embroidered pendant. Using these symbols will make your finished beaded jewelry just a little more powerful.

Are you in need of a few new beading projects? Take a look over in the Beading Daily Shop, and for a limited time, save 30% on all eProjects! Whether you want to learn a new beading technique, make a gift for a special friend, or just add another piece of gorgeous beaded jewelry to your collection, you're sure to find something to excite and inspire you in the Beading Daily Shop.

How do you add meaning to your beaded jewelry designs? Is it through the use of color, or a special bead? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and tell us how you add meaning to your beaded jewelry.

Bead Happy,

Jennifere

Tips for Traveling With Your Beading Tools

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

It's that time of year again -- I can't believe that summer is back already! Pretty soon, I'll be packing my bags and hitting the road for places like Bead Fest Philadelphia, a couple of trips down to do some serious bead shopping in New York City, and ending my summer travels with a trip to the Colorado Bead Retreat, hosted by Beyond Beadery's Betcey Ventrella.

Of course, while I'm on the road in various planes, trains, and automobiles, I'll have some beading projects with me to keep me busy, and I'll have to bring along my beading tools for the fabulous workshops at Bead Fest Philadelphia and the Colorado Bead Retreat.

Traveling with beading tools isn't always the easiest thing to do: there are security rules at airports and plenty of opportunity to lose or misplace beading tools while you're on the road. But I've got a couple of ideas for ways I can keep my beading tools (and my beading projects) organized while I travel this summer!

		Of all my finds at last year's Bead Fest Philadelphia, I'm completely smitten with this luxurious tool wrap from Lisa Kan. It's an extremely well-constructed beading tool wrap, with plenty of pockets for your jewelry pliers (like my favorite heavy duty Fireline cutters from Xuron), and a zippered pocket where you can stash a needle case, bead scoops, and other tiny beading tools that make beading on the road easier.

		If you're planning to spend a lot of time on airplanes and need a sturdy, compact organizer with a built-in bead tray, Ezel Finding's new Beading Pal is my first choice. With plenty of straps for organizing your beading tools, seed bead tubes, and a handy mesh pocket for small spools of thread, this is the essential beader's travel kit. It zippers shut all around, and is small enough to tuck into a large purse or your carry-on bags, leaving plenty of room for other travel essentials.

		For cutting your beading thread, you might have to improvise a little if you're planning on taking your beading projects with you on an airplane. Since airport security can vary widely between airports, I prefer to stash my favorite thread cutters in my checked bags and instead make sure that I have a new, sharp finger nail cutter tucked into my kit of beading tools. It works in a pinch, and I save the really fine trimming of threads for when I get to my hotel and can use my scissors.

Of course, for reading material, I've have a few issues of Beadwork magazine tucked into my tote bag, and downloaded onto my tablet computer. Beadwork magazine has always been my number one source for inspiration and information when it comes to beading tools, new beads, and of course, extravagant and innovative beaded jewelry designs. Subscribe to Beadwork magazine today and take your inspiration to go during your summer travels!

Do you travel often with your beads? Do you have any tips for us beady travelers? Or maybe you have a question about traveling with your beads, and you'd like some feedback from our readers! Leave a comment or question here on the Beading Daily blog and let's share our experiences and advice for traveling with our beads!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

How to Bead Comfortably

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

It's not often that I get a long stretch of hours to sit and bead lately, but when I do, I take full advantage of it. Most of the time, I only get a few minutes here and there to sit down and bead, so when an opportunity for a marathon beading session presents itself, I take advantage of it! The trick to getting the most out of the time spend beading is knowing how to bead comfortably.

When I first started learning how to bead, I'd plop myself down on the bedroom floor, cross-legged in front of the television, with my beads spread around me. While it wasn't the best setup, it worked for me for a few years, until I started getting serious about beading and found myself spending more and more time in front of my beads. After I injured my back doing something completely unrelated to beading, I discovered that knowing how to bead comfortably for long periods of time was more important than I had previously thought.

Do you find yourself suffering from an aching back and tired eyes when you spend long hours with your beads? Here are a couple of ideas to help you learn how to bead comfortably!

Setting Up a Place to Bead


	Before sitting down to bead, do what the great chefs do and make sure that all of your tools and materials are easily accessible!

There are three basic things you need in order to set up a comfortable place to bead: a sturdy table or work surface for beading, a comfortable chair that provides plenty of support to your lower back, and proper lighting and magnification if needed.

A sturdy table or work surface. My bead surface of choice lately is one of my favorite Bead On It Boards. These nifty bead boards are perfect for setting in your lap or on a table. The high, rolled edges mean that beads can run down to the sides of your work area, but they won't disappear off the edge of your board. And, yes, when you give it a gently shake, all those seed beads really do land with the holes up for easy beading!
A comfortable chair. Your chair should be your best friend when you're beading. Make sure that your feet touch the floor, and if you need to, don't be afraid to sit on a low pillow to provide extra support for your back.
Proper lighting and magnification if needed. If you have to squint to see your beads, then chances are, you need to improve your lighting or magnification when you sit down to bead. For over ten years, I've used the same trusty Ott-Lite task lamp when I sit down to bead. It's portable and light, so I take it with me on the road, too, when I'm traveling to classes or workshops. And since last summer, I've found that using my CraftOptics telescopes are indispensable for my bead embroidery projects or any beading project where I'm using size 15^o seed beads!

My favorite place to bead lately is at my computer desk. Since I have a laptop and don't use the keyboard tray, I keep my bead tray there so I can just roll it away under the desk when I'm finished! (But don't be fooled -- I'm also just as comfortable setting up my bead tray on the couch or outside on the back porch when the weather is nice!)

Another great tip for setting up a comfortable place to bead comes from one of my favorite bead artists, Carol Cypher. She recommends that beaders imitate what great chefs do, and set up their work areas in a "mise en place". This means that you have all of your tools and supplies set up where you can easily reach them.

Ergonomic Beading Tips


	They might look funny, but my CraftOptics are a very important part of staying comfortable when I'm beading!

Once you're set up in a comfortable spot for beading, it's important to pay attention to your body while you're working. I know it's all too easy to get lost in the meditation of bead-weaving, but sitting in one spot without moving for hours and hours will leave me with an aching back, tired eyes, aching wrists, and even a headache.

There are lots of beading tools that you can use to help you be more comfortable when you bead, including ergonomic gloves and easy-to-handle jewelry pliers. More tips for learning how to bead comfortably:

Take a stretching break. This one is the hardest for me, but it definitely makes a difference. Set a timer, watch a movie, or do something to remind yourself to get up out of your chair about once an hour to walk around, stretch your legs, and stretch your arms. You don't have to do a lot of stretching, either -- just a lap around the house or raising your arms above your head and taking a few deep breaths will help you stay limber and comfortable.
Try an exercise band. Some beaders keep an exercise band handy while they're working to use throughout the day. Just a couple of easy pulls can help keep your arms, shoulders, neck, and upper back happy for long periods of time!
Don't forget about your lower back. Speaking as someone who has dealt with low back pain, you can never be too kind to your back! If you're feeling achy or sore at all in your lower back, make sure you have a comfortable pillow or cushion to provide support while you work. A couple of years ago after a particularly bad episode of low back pain, I invested in a special chair that's actually an exercise ball set in a frame. When I'm not 100% comfortable in my office chair, I can easily switch over to the ball chair for some relief!

The best part of learning how to bead comfortably? You'll find that you can get more beading done! More beading means more beautiful beaded jewelry for gifts or for yourself, right?

Now that you're ready to sit and bead in comfort, check out 8 Favorite Beaded Bezel Projects. Taken straight from the pages of Beadwork magazine, these eight beading projects will teach you everything you need to know about creating beautiful (and secure) beaded bezels. Learn how to capture your favorite gemstones, donuts, and crystal stones with these eight fabulous beaded bezel projects! Download your copy of 8 Favorite Beaded Bezel Projects and test out some new ways to help yourself bead comfortably.

What's your best tip for helping yourself stay comfortable when you get the chance to bead for hours at a time? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your advice and tips with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Great Advice From My Favorite Stitch Pro: Jean Campbell

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Jean Campbell has long been someone that I look to for information and advice about everything related to beaded jewelry design. Along with her sense of humor and her twenty-plus years of beading experience, she's an absolute treasure trove of tips, techniques, and inspiration for those of us who love to bead!

Jean writes the Stitch Pro column for Beadwork magazine, and she also shares her beady musings with us on the Inside Beadwork Magazine blog here on Beading Daily. I picked out five of my favorites to share with you!

		Jean Campbell's 10 Must-Have Beading Tools. Are you looking to put together the perfect beading tool kit? Jean has recommendations for beading tools that every beader should have! A well-stocked tool kit is essential for anyone who wants to create their own beaded jewelry designs, so take a look and see what you should have to round out your collection of beading tools.

		Stitch Pro: Taming the RAW Monster. Right-angle weave is one of those beading stitches that can be a bear to master, but the payoffs are fantastic. If you've ever struggled with right-angle weave, Jean has some excellent tips for making right-angle weave much easier to navigate.

		Stitch Pro: In Search of the Perfect Clasp. Like anyone who dreams up and then creates their own beaded jewelry designs, finding the perfect finishing touch can be a challenge. Jean has come up with a brilliant way of using this Tierra Cast s-clasp for finishing a piece of beaded jewelry!

		Stitch Pro: Breaking Bad...Beads. Oh, sometimes those pesky little seed beads just don't want to behave themselves! If you've ever found yourself in a position where an extra seed bead or two has slipped into the wrong place in one of your beaded jewelry designs, Jean shows us two ways to safely break those beads right out!

		How to Become a Stitch Pro. Yep, knowing all the variations of all the different bead-weaving stitches out there can seem like a monumental task. But if you want to work on your own beaded jewelry designs, it helps to have at least a basic understand of the most popular variations of brick stitch, peyote stitch, herringbone stitch, and right-angle weave. Jean has come up with this handy reference chart that you can use to track your progress as you become a Stitch Pro!

Now, how would you like to learn four of Jean's most popular floral beaded jewelry designs? Watch as Jean takes you through each of four designs, one stitch at a time, to create one beaded ring, two beaded bracelets, and one showstopping necklace in Jean Campbell's Best Beading Workshops: Floral Designs. Not only will you improve your bead-weaving skills with each project, but you'll end up with four amazing pieces of beaded jewelry to add to your wardrobe! Pre-order your copy of Jean Campbell's Best Beading Workshops: Floral Designs and get ready for three hours of pure beading bliss! (Can't wait to get started? Jean Campbell's Best Beading Workshops: Floral Designs is also available as an instant download in high-definition!)

What's the best beading tip you ever received? Who was it from? Why did it make a difference? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your stories with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

What You Should Know About Gemstones For Bead-weaving

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Although lately I've been incorporating more and more glass beads into my bead-weaving projects, when I first started learning how to bead, I used lots and lots of gemstone beads in my designs. There's something about the look of gemstones in bead-weaving designs that still appeals to me. Maybe it's the organic nature of the material, or the colors and patterns you find in my favorite agates and jasper gemstones.

But using gemstone beads in your bead-weaving is a little different than using glass beads. Gemstones mix beautifully with seed beads, if you keep a couple of things in mind before you start to stitch.

Holes and Needles and Threads, Oh, My!

Most gemstone beads can be quite a bit heavier than my favorite glass beads, so when I decide to use them in my beading projects, I usually use a heavier weight beading thread. 10 lb. WildFire beading thread is a great option for bead-weaving with gemstones, as is 8 lb. or 10 lb. Fireline.

But before you break out the heavyweight beading thread, check the bead hole by passing your beading needle through it a few times. Gemstone beads are sometimes drilled from opposite sides to meet in the middle, and the lower-quality beads will often have uneven bead holes. (I think the technical term given to those uneven bead holes by my friends is "wonky".)

If the bead hole is straight, but too narrow, use your bead reamer to widen it a bit. (Always remember to use your bead reamer with the bead under water to cool the bead and the reamer and to prevent any particles from flying into the air.) You can also smooth out any rough edges on the bead hole before you start stitching, too, to prevent your beading thread from becoming frayed.

Dye Jobs

Before stitching with any gemstone beads, always find out if the bead has been treated in any way with dyes or colors that may run if the piece becomes wet or damp. As a general rule, I try to avoid bead-weaving with any gemstones that have been dyed, particularly agates or howlite, because those colors can run and ruin the finished piece of beaded jewelry.

If you're unsure as to whether or not a gemstone bead has been dyed or colored, drop one or two of them into a cup of diluted dish soap and let it stand in a window for a couple of days. If you see the color of the bead leaking out into the water, you might not want to use it in your beading project.

Learn More About Your Favorite Gemstones

You can learn so much about your favorite gemstones and their properties in the pages of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine! It's my number-one source for fascinating information about the sources and characteristics of all my favorite gemstone beads. Subscribe to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine and get six issues of great tips and techniques for jewelry makers of all kinds!

What do you love most about using gemstones in your bead-weaving projects? Leave a comment and share your thoughts, tips, and advice with us here on the Beading Daily blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Bead Lovers Meet, Swedish-Style!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMT


Swedish bead artist Anna Lindell

From Jennifer: One of the awesome things about learning how to bead is being able to connect with other beaders around the world. When I was a competitor in last summer's Battle Of the Beadsmith, I "met" several lovely (and very talented) beaders from around the world, including today's guest blogger, Anna Lindell of Sweden. Even though we live with an ocean between us, we both speak the same language: the love of beads!

Anna recently traveled to a big Bead Lovers Meet, complete with beading challenges, good friends, good food, and bead shopping! Here's Anna's report on this year's adventures at the Swedish Bead Lovers Meet:

For the last six years, Swedish beaders have been gathering a couple of times a year for a weekend of beading, learning how to bead, teaching and shopping. Over the years we have grown to be quite an extensive family!

A dozen hard working enthusiasts spend months preparing the big bead events for us beaders. They work tirelessly to book a hotel, find sponsors for goodie bag gifts and contest prizes, make sure that beadshops bring their stocking supplies, and get tutors to exciting workshops. When the registration opens for the 150 spots in the Bead Lovers Meet, they fill up fast. Last fall, they sold out in less than four hours!

Last weekend, I went to the Bead Lovers Meet held in Lund, the first big event held away from Stockholm. People travel from all over Sweden to participate. We meet up outside the bead hall hours before it opens, making new acquaintances and resuming old ones. Everyone is in good spirits and the jewelry worn by the attendees is always great!

When the doors open we receive our goodie bags with beads and findings from the sponsors, and an important pamphlet with various information and the contest themes. It's always like Christmas morning, beading style! Within the hour, the tables are filled with tools, beading trays, patterns and supplies. The "bead hall" empties a bit when the workshops start and the room with the beadshops opens.

The "bead hall" is a bubble of creativity, a place away from problems and non-bead-related topics. Everything else is set aside as our minds are all on beading. The room quickly fills with laughter and friendly jibes, and some people stay up almost all night! In the early mornings, you can also find some beaders up before the sun, busily beading away, so the bead hall is almost never empty throughout the course of the weekend.

Meals can be pre-ordered, which is good because it's easy to lose track of time. Even though we consume lots of coffee, candy, water, and fruit between meals, once we get to the restaurant, we find that we're starving! Usually there is a midnight snack late in the evening, a most welcome extra meal for those of us that like to stay up late and continue beading.

The hourly "taster" workshops are held by beaders in all kinds of techniques, and offer lots of new opportunities to learn how to bead. It's great fun both attending and teaching a class, and you learn a lot from both experiencces. For those who like to compete, there are a dozen contests with different rules and time-frames. Prizes are awarded during the gatherings where everybody gets a chance to see the winning entries. At Bead Lovers Meet, we also got a chance to see all entries before the winners were announced, and I greatly enjoyed seeing how all the other beaders interpreted the contest themes.

When the weekend draws to a close, everybody packs up and leave for home. We've all become on big beading family through these big bead events. We know that we'll meet again, but it's still bittersweet to say goodbye and head home. The event continues for days on Facebook, where we share photos and remember fun times. People who can't be at the event are usually a bit envious, but for this Bead Lovers Meet, there was a spontaneous cyber beading event, complete with a contest and sponsored prizes! The Swedish beading family is so wonderful in every way!

No matter what language you speak, beads will always bring us together. If you're looking for a steady supply of great bead stringing projects, artistic inspiration, and all the latest beads and beading tools, you'll want to make sure you subscribe to Jewelry Stringing magazine.

What's your favorite beady gathering? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and let us know!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Earring Making Makeover: A Pair of Beaded Pearl Earrings

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite sources of inspiration for making beaded jewelry is antique and vintage jewelry. So when my good friend gifted me with a huge box of very special antique beaded jewelry, I decided to repurpose some of the jewelry for new jewelry-making projects.


	The original vintage pearl earrings (bottom) that inspired my earring making makeover (top)!

Even though earring making projects have never come easy to me, I was inspired by these vintage pearl earrings. I wanted to figure out how to re-create them using modern materials, and thanks to a little stash of Swarovski crystal pearls, I managed to do just that! These are real old-world glamor earrings, bold and brassy and fun to wear. Enjoy!

Materials:

24 Swarovski crystal pearl, Bright Gold, 5mm (A)
54 Swarovski crystal pearl, Bright Gold, 4mm (B)
66 Swarovski crystal pearl, Bright Gold, 3mm (C)
2 Swarovski crystal pearl, Bright Gold, 8mm (D)
FireLine beading thread, 6 lb. test
1 pair gold ear wires, or clip-on earring findings with 8mm pad

Tools:

Size 12 beading needle
Thread cutter
Chain nose or flat nose pliers (optional, but useful for guiding beading needle through a tight spot)

Step-by-step Instructions

		On a 5' length of beading thread, pick up 6 A. Pass through the first bead again, forming a ring. (If you are using ear wires, leave at least 7" of beading thread as a tail to use for attaching your ear wire.)

		Keeping your tension tight, pick up 6 C and pass through the same A again. Pass into the next A in the ring, and add 6 C. Repeat for each A in the ring.

		Pick up 2 B and pass through the A you're exiting again. Pass through the next A in the ring, and add 2 B. Repeat around.

		Pass through each B you added in the previous step again to form a solid ring. Pass through the first B of the second pair you added in the previous step.

		To form the "petals", pick up 1 B and 1 C. Push them all the way down against the B you are exiting.

		Pass your needle under the thread in the center of the 6 C you added in the second step. (Similar to catching the thread in brick stitch.) Pass back through the 1 C and 1 B you added in the previous step, then into the next B in the ring. Pass through the next 2 B in the second ring, and add another C and B in the same manner. Repeat around for each of the petals.

		From the B you are exiting, pick up 2 C and pass through the same B. (Same direction.) Pass through the next B in the ring, and add 1 C. Repeat around, alternating 1 C and 2 C until you have added a total of 9 C. Pass through all 9 C again and pull snugly to form a ring.

		From the C you are exiting, pick up 1 D and push it down into the ring. Find either the 1 C or 2 C directly across from the bead (or beads) you are exiting, and pass through. Pass back through the D and the bead (or beads) you originally exited at the beginning of this step.

		Pick up 9 B and push them down against the beadwork as far as you can. Pass through all 9 B at least twice more, pulling snugly to form a ring that fits around the D in the center. Tack the ring of 9 B down by catching the thread between beads of the ring of B you added in the third step. Knot your thread in the beadwork, weave your tail in a bit, and trim close to the beadwork.

		If you are using a clip-on earring finding or a post earring finding with a pad, use E600 or Euro Tool Super New Glue to attach the finding.

		If you are using an ear wire, weave your tail through the first 3 C you added in the second step. Pass through the ear wire, then down through the next 3 C, pass through the A, and back up through the first 3 C. Repeat the thread path a couple of times to secure, then knot your thread, weave it in, and trim it close to the beadwork. Repeat all steps for the second earring.

Would you like another free earring making project? For a limited time, when you purchase Melanie Potter's fantastic new DVD Bead Stitching Chevron Chain with Melanie Potter, you'll get her Wildflower Earrings as a FREE download! What could be better than learning the basics of chevron chain from a master bead-weaving artist? Get your copy of Bead Stitching Chevron Chain with Melanie Potter and get your free earring making project, too! (Or, if you're really into instant gratification, you can download Bead Stitching Chevron Chain with Melanie Potter and be watching on your desktop or laptop computer in just minutes!)

What's your favorite inspiration for beaded jewelry design ideas? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your ideas with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

It's a Secret: Make This Faux Chain Maille Bracelet by Jane Dickerson

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Are you a little intimidated by the idea of making chain maille jewelry? Jewelry Making Daily's Tammy Jones felt the same way, so you're not alone! But if you're comfortable with basic wire jewelry making, you'll want to check out this technique for a faux chain maille bracelet, designed by Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry's Jane Dickerson!

Best Kept Secret Bracelet
by Jane Dickerson

I love the look of chain maille, but I'm all fingers when it comes to connecting all those jump rings. So, look what I found! Shhhh, don't tell-it's chain-maille chain! Simply attach a clasp and you'll look like you've spent hours creating this fast-and-easy bracelet.

Materials and Tools:

16" (40.5 cm) antiqued brass 9mm chain-maille chain
Shibu 35mm Saki Silver toggle clasp
2 pairs of chain nose pliers
Flush cutters


	Try this easy and fun faux chain maille bracelet, designed by Jane Dickerson

Step by step instructions:

1. Cut the chain into two 6-1/2" (16.5 cm) pieces and one 3" (7.5) piece. Place the 6-1/2" (16.5 cm) pieces of chain side by side and disconnect one end link from each end of each piece of chain. You will be removing one 9mm jump ring and two twisted 6mm jump rings from each end.

2. Open two twisted 6mm jump rings from Step 1 and connect the end ring of the chain maille to one 9mm ring. Close the jump rings. Repeat with the three other ends of chain.

3. Remove two 9mm jump rings and four twisted 6mm jump rings from the scrap chain. Attach one 9mm jump ring to one half of the clasp. Repeat for the other half of the clasp.

4. Use two twisted 6mm jump rings from Step 3 to connect the 9mm jump ring on the toggle clasp and one end link of the bracelet. Connect the end link of the parallel chain to the toggle in the same way. Use two twisted 6mm jump rings to connect the 9mm jump ring on the ring side of the clasp with one end link on the bracelet. Repeat for the parallel link.

Voila! Look how simple that is--and no one will be the wiser. (You know your secret is safe with me!)

Even if chain maille isn't your thing, you'll still find lots of fantastic wire jewelry making projects in the pages of every issue of Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry magazine! Whether you love to do wire wrapping, chain maille, or just innovative wire jewelry, you're sure to find plenty of inspiration and instruction. Subscribe to Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry magazine and feed your need to create stunning wire jewelry.

Have you found another way to imitate the look of chain maille without actually doing chain maille techniques? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your ideas with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Start Designing Your Own Beaded Jewelry, Part 3: Putting It All Together

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week, I showed you how to stitch up some easy herringbone bezels for beads, and then how to make a right-angle weave necklace base, all part of my Beaded Jewelry Design week here on Beading Daily. Today, we're going to look at techniques for putting them all together into one, beautiful beaded necklace!

The inspiration for my color palette on this particular piece was from a handmade lampwork glass bead made by none other than Amy Blevins of Bead & Glass Boutique in Pitman, New Jersey. (I visited Amy's shop when I was in town for Bead Fest Philadelphia last summer, and her beautiful glass bead just had to come home with me!) So, focal bead in hand, and necklace parts strewn across my bead board, it was time to figure out what my final beaded jewelry design was going to look like.

Attaching the Bezeled Beads

Remember when I told you to leave those thread tails nice and long? Well, now we're going to use those thread tails to attach the beads with the herringbone bezels to the right-angle weave base. Once you've figured out where you want each element to go, mark the spot with a small piece of beading thread.

I decided that I wanted to outline each bezeled bead with a length of herringbone stitch, so I made a herringbone tube long enough to wrap around each of the bezeled beads. I attached the first bezeled bead in the center of the necklace base, then wrapped the herringbone tube around it to get the idea for how to space the remaining elements, marking each place with a small length of beading thread that I clipped out after I attached the bead.

Using the thread tail, stitch into the set of 3 beads in the necklace base, then back up into the bezeled bead. Repeat the thread path a few times, then weave through the herringbone stitch bezel to get into position for the next attachment.

Make four attachments per bezeled bead in order to secure them to the necklace base.

After all the beads were attached, I tacked down the herringbone tube. I gave my tube a little bit of a twist as I tacked it down to give it some texture. A good trick here is to work from the back of the necklace, so that you aren't bumping into the bezeled beads that you attached to the front. I also stitched the herringbone tube to the top of the herringbone bezels as I went around for good measure.

Embellishing the Strap

The next step in the beaded jewelry design process is to add a little embellishment to the rest of the right-angle weave necklace base. I had a nice little bag of crystal rondelles in my stash that worked very well with this color palette, so I stitched them into the right-angle corners of the necklace base using size 15 seed beads.


	*The tiny crystal rondelles stitched to the necklace strap add just a hint of sparkle without being too obvious.*

The smaller crystal beads give the rest of the necklace a hint of sparkle without being too overwhelming. For a more dramatic look, you can use drop beads, Magatamas (long drop beads), or peanut beads. Experiment to see what you like best!

Adding Fringe

Designing and adding fringe to a necklace is always the hardest part of the beaded jewelry design process for me. I started out with a strand of branched fringe using deep blue seed beads and cream drops, but I wasn't happy with the placement of it. Back to the drawing board! I'm sure I'll figure out something over the weekend before the final reveal on Monday, right?

Other ideas for fringe don't have to be so dramatic. Sometimes, just a tiny drop or a spike bead stitched between units of right-angle weave is enough. Small loops of seed beads spaced evenly along each side of the necklace also work nicely when you want to make it a more elegant piece -- remember, sometimes less really is more!

More Inspiration for Your Own Beaded Jewelry Designs

I've always said that if you want to learn how to make your own beaded jewelry designs, a good place to start is to look through the pages of your favorite beading magazine. For me, that's always been Beadwork magazine. I always keep my copies handy to look for inspiration and ideas that I can incorporate into my beaded jewelry designs, and now that they're available in digital format, it makes it even easier to find just what I'm looking for!

Whether you're new to beading, or you've been working with seed beads and creating your own beaded jewelry designs for years, you'll want to grab a copy of The Beadwork Ultimate Collection, now at a special price! It's a special collection of seven years' worth of Beadwork magazine on CD, with all the same original content as the print editions. Grab your copy (while you can) of The Beadwork Ultimate Collection and watch the evolution of beaded jewelry design unfold!

I'd love to hear your suggestions for finishing my necklace this weekend! What kind of fringe should I use? Should I add some more embellishment to the neck strap? What about the clasp? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and let's share our beaded jewelry design ideas!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Start Designing Your Own Beaded Jewelry, Part 2: Right-angle Weave Base

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Continuing with your beaded jewelry design project, now that you've made herringbone stitch bezels for the beads, we're going to make the base to which they'll all be attached using right-angle weave.

The base I like to use when making these beaded necklaces is a "v" shape that drapes nicely and is easy to adjust for length and fit. (Because being comfortable wearing your beaded jewelry is important!) Another reason I like to use this type of right-angle weave base is because it can support heavier gemstone beads.

To make your right-angle weave base, you'll need the following beads and materials:

30-50 grams of size 11 beads, color A
20 grams of size 11 beads, color B
Beading thread (6 lb. FireLine recommended)

Before You Start Stitching: This necklace base using right-angle weave eats up a lot of thread in a hurry, and because you'll be passing through the beads at least twice more when you attach your components, it's best to use as long a piece of thread as you're comfortable with so that you can avoid having to weave in a lot of thread ends. (Starting and ending new threads can fill up those bead holes pretty fast!)

If you're not comfortable using a long length of thread, consider leaving longer tails when you add new thread that you can use to attach your design components later in the process.

		Pick up: 3 A, 1 B, 3 A, 1 B, 3 A, 1 B, 3 A, 1 B. Tie into a ring. Pass through the first 7 beads (3 A, 1 B, 3 A) again as shown.

		To add each additional unit in the first row, pick up: 1 B, 3 A, 1 B, 3 A, 1 B, 3 A, and 1 B. Pass through the 3 A you exited in the previous unit, and back through the unit you just added until you are again exiting from 3 A on the side of the current unit.

		Work until your row is 5 units long. To start the second row, exit from the top 3 A of the last unit in your first row. Pick up: 1 B, 3 A, 1 B, 3 A, 1 B, 3 A, and 1 B. Pass through the 3 A you exited at the beginning of this row and through the beads of the unit you just added until you are exiting through the 3 A on the inside of the unit. Pick up 1 B, and pass through the next 3 A in the next unit.

		You'll continue to add those extra B beads at the corners as you work each unit.

		Continue to add rows to your right-angle weave base until the base is about 9-10" long. (This will be for an 18-20" finished necklace, not including the size of the clasp.) You can check the size/fit of your necklace by draping it around your neck and seeing where the end lays. Remember that your center "v" will take up about 1-2" of space in the middle. When the first side of your necklace is long enough, add a new thread (remember to leave a nice, long tail!) and turn the piece on its side. Weave through the beadwork until you are exiting from a set of 3 A on the top (the long side).

		Work a row of 5 units in right-angle weave just as you did before, adding B beads at the corners of each unit.

		Continue working until your second side is the same length as the first side. You can easily make adjustments to the final length of the right-angle weave base by adding or removing rows from the ends.

		Now the fun part! Start playing with the arrangement of your focal pieces, looking at spacing and thinking about where you can add embellishments and fringe. Play with the placement of your clasp, and any necklace findings you might want to include in your finished piece. If you find more than one arrangement that you like, take pictures and save them so that you can decide which one you like best before you start attaching and embellishing.

Are you having fun yet? One of the reasons I love these particular techniques for beaded jewelry design using herringbone stitch and right-angle weave is that they open up a whole world of possibilities!

If you want to brush up on your basic right-angle weave and herringbone stitch bead-weaving techniques, look no further than The Best of Step-by-Step Beads 2010 special issue. You'll find dozens of fantastic, easy bead-weaving projects using right-angle weave, herringbone stitch, peyote stitch, and more that are just right for when you need to do a little beading on a spectacular project, but you don't have a lot of time. For a limited time, you can get your copy of The Best of Step-by-Step Beads 2010 for only $3 and keep your bead-weaving skills sharp!

Come back on Friday, March 1, for the final installment in Design Your Own Beaded Jewelry Week here on Beading Daily and learn a few techniques for attaching elements and embellishing your beaded necklace!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer