How To

Tips for Building Bead Structures

2008-09-01T19:44:00Z

Enjoy these great tips on building bead structures from the October/November 2008 Beadwork Master Class artist, Maggie Meister....(read more)

Your First Bead Stash: 9 Must-Have Items

2008-08-27T09:41:00Z

This article by Jean Campbell explains the core tools and supplies you'll always want on hand when you sit down to bead. This article was originallly written for Step by Step Beads magazine....(read more)

3 Steps to Better Beadwork Photos

2008-06-30T14:28:00Z

Here are some simple steps you can take to improve your photos and capture the beauty of your designs. Good photos are key to selling your work online and submitting to design competitions. This article by beader and photographer Kirsten Creighton includes photo examples, additional photography tips, and a helpful summary chart for quick reference....(read more)

Square Stitch and Loomwork Graph Paper

2008-05-19T02:49:00Z

Want to create your own beaded designs in brick stitch or peyote stitch? Use this handy graph paper to plan out your project. ...(read more)

Brick Stitch and Peyote Stitch Graph Paper

2008-05-18T16:51:00Z

Want to create your own beaded designs in brick stitch or peyote stitch? Use this handy graph paper to plan out your project. ...(read more)

Adding New Thread

2008-05-15T21:33:00Z

Tie off your old thread when it's about 4" long by making a simple knot between beads. Pass through a few beads and pull tight to hide the knot. Weave through a few more beads and trim the thread close to the work. Start the new thread by tying a knot between beads and weaving through a few beads. Pull tight to hide the knot. Weave through several beads until you reach the place to resume beading....(read more)

Bead Embroidery

2008-05-15T21:32:00Z

For single stitch embroidery ,begin by passing the needle through the fabric, from wrong side to right side, at the place where the first bead is to go. String a bead and pass the needle back through the fabric right next to the bead. Bring the needle back through the fabric where the next bead is to go, thread one bead and go back down through the fabric. Continue. Use bugle beads between two seed beads to protect the thread from the sharp edges on bugle beads and single-stitch as one bead. For...(read more)

Brick Stitch

2008-05-15T21:32:00Z

Begin by creating a foundation row in ladder stitch or using a secured thread. String one bead and pass under the closest exposed loop of the foundation row. Pass back through the same bead and continue, adding one bead at a time. To decrease within a row , string one bead and skip a loop of thread on the previous row, passing under the second loop and back through the bead. To increase within a row , work two stitches in the same space of the previous row. Brick Stitch Decrease Brick Stitch Increase...(read more)

Bead Knitting

2008-05-15T21:32:00Z

Knitting one bead into one stitch is the technique to use for knitting charted designs. Insert the needle into the stitch to be knit as usual, slide the bead up against the needle, and pull the bead through to the front as you complete the stitch....(read more)

Crimping

2008-05-15T21:31:00Z

String a crimp tube and pass through the connection finding. Pass back through the tube leaving a short tail. Use the back notch of crimping pliers to pinch the tube into a U, leaving a wire on each side of the bend. Rotate the tube 90° and use the front notch to form the pinched tube into a clean cylinder....(read more)

Cones

2008-05-15T21:31:00Z

Use cones to finish a multistrand piece. Attach each strand of beads to a wrapped loop or an eye pin. Use the wrapped-loop wire to string the wide end of a cone, covering the ends of the stringing material. Form a wrapped loop at the tip of the cone that attaches to a clasp...(read more)

Flat Herringbone Stitch

2008-05-15T21:30:00Z

Begin with a foundation row of even-count ladder stitch. String 2 beads, pass down through the second to last bead in the ladder, and up through the next bead. String 2 beads, pass down the next bead and then up through the following. Repeat to the end of the row. To end the row, pass back through the last bead strung. To begin the next row, string 2 beads and pass down through the second to last bead of the previous row. Repeat, stringing 2 beads per stitch and passing down then up through two beads...(read more)

Finishing and Starting New Thread

2008-05-15T21:30:00Z

Crochet

2008-05-15T21:30:00Z

This method is worked with a crochet hook. It forms a tidy chain along the edge. Place a slipknot on a Beaded crochet cord makes a great finish or a strap for other beadwork. Make an initial chain of four (or more) stitches. Leave a bead in each chain stitch by sliding a bead close to the hook before making each stitch. Form a ring of beaded stitches by inserting the hook into the first chain stitch, under the thread carrying the bead. Move the bead to the right of the hook. Slide a new bead down...(read more)

Crimp covers

2008-05-15T21:30:00Z

Crimp covers hide a 2mm crimp tube and give a professional finish. To attach, gently hold a crimp cover in the front notch of the crimping pliers. Insert the crimped tube and gently squeeze the pliers, encasing the tube inside the cover....(read more)