Bead Substitutions in Seed Bead Patterns: What Works, What Doesn't

re: Bead Substitutions in Seed Bead Patterns: What Works, What Doesn't

lilli jordan — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 19:58:27 GMT

"Getting Started with Seed Beads" is one of the best books currently available for bead weaving explanations and seed beed patterns. There are so many patterns that I want to make and I love how the books is laid out according to stitch. "Mastering Beadwork" is a another fantastic book about bead weaving.

re: Bead Substitutions in Seed Bead Patterns: What Works, What Doesn't

SharonL@92 — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 17:29:34 GMT

I have found that sometimes not having the exact size beads leads to some really creative pieces. I almost never have crystals (I am a cheap beader :), so usually use glass pearls or czech beads or glass bicones instead. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out! YOu learn something from the effort...

re: Bead Substitutions in Seed Bead Patterns: What Works, What Doesn't

BarbaraH@105 — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 01:05:47 GMT

I wanted to make the bracelet on the cover of the October-November 2004 of Beadwork but I did not have 3mm cube beads! I was living in the Philippines where I could buy lots of beads but not cubes. So, I tried size 6 Japanese seed beads and they worked beautifully. I later discovered, the hard way, that size 6 Czech beads do not work. They made the bracelet pucker because of their slightly wider shape.

re: Bead Substitutions in Seed Bead Patterns: What Works, What Doesn't

ruthkaplan1950@gmail.com — Wed, 30 May 2012 19:47:15 GMT

I am like you about crystals--I don't have a large stash of them. I usually just buy the ones I need for a project and a few extra. If I can't wait, I use what I have--glass or gemstone beads, magatamas or other drops, etc. I have an extensive stash of seed beads and other glass beads but not of crystals though I will buy them occasionally when they are on sale just to have.

re: Bead Substitutions in Seed Bead Patterns: What Works, What Doesn't

pam jaw — Wed, 30 May 2012 16:02:29 GMT

When I first started making jewelry patterns called for size 11 but I couldn't find any so I used size 10 instead. Thank you for your e-mail on using different beads if you don't have the ones that are called for.