What’s the big deal about flat odd-count vs flat even-count peyote stitch? As I see it, the hubbub pretty much boils down to this: even-count is simple; odd-count is complicated. How can one thing be so diametrically opposed to itself? Easy/hard; clear/confusing; straightforward/perplexing? After just returning from a week’s road trip through South Dakota with a couple of hormone-demented teenagers, I know such things are possible. ...

Contests, Galleries, Giveaways, and Challenges Try your hand at these bead-related contests, galleries, giveaways, and challenges sponsored by Interweave Press. Entries are listed in date order. While we strive to keep this page up-to-date, be sure to...

I had all the on- and off-loom techniques down pat before I discovered that bead stringing can be an equally refreshing and creative mind teaser. As a technique for making jewelry, stringing is definitely easier than bead weaving, but once you delve into it deeper, you find there’s a nice design challenge there, too. ...

Beading is a sticky craft--and I don't mean when you accidentally spill maple syrup on your beads! (Anyone else spend time contemplating how much a waffle looks like a neat little right-angle weave project?)...

Beading Daily reader Gloria writes, “Jean, I live in Arizona where I have access to muchos milagros. How do you use them in your beading? Please advise.”...

I met beader/knitter/cartoonist/all-around-creative-person Julie Ann Smith when she emailed me in response to one of the Beading Daily newsletters and asked me to take a look at some of her work. I was blown away by her bright, cheery designs! (Be sure to check out one of her peyote bracelets, The Illusion, at the bottom of this newsletter.) Julie Ann has a tremendous amount of energy and has a good sense of priorities (beading tops laundry every time!)....

One of my favorite "got to be beading" stories came from a designer who told me that she had created a particular bracelet while waiting for surgery. When it came time for her to be wheeled off into the operating room, she almost lost it. The medical staff was startled by her reaction. Was she in pain? Was she scared about the surgery? "No! I have just 3 more rows! I'm almost finished!" ...

When my birthday or the holidays roll around and people ask me what I’m wishing for, I give the rote, “Oh, just good kids, health, and a nice dinner with loved ones”. But it’s all a sham. I secretly LOVE receiving gifts! The big fancy ones are nice, but the gifts I get really excited about are those that the giver really puts some thought into. Something tailored just for me. This type of gift—whether made or purchased—comes with a card saying, “This really reminded me of you” or “I knew you needed this.”...