Inside Beadwork Magazine : Herringbone Stitch

6 MORE bead shapes! Meet the new Bricks, Rullas, Pyramids, BeadStuds, Rizos, and Long Drops

Melinda Barta — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 02:50:00 GMT

I loved Jean Campbell's post last week on the difference between Superduo and Twin beads so much that I thought I'd follow up this week with a few more of the new shaped beads. If you missed Jean's in-depth look at two-hole seed beads, see her post here.

Here are the 6 newest shapes to come across my desk:

	Bricks These thick, rectangular, Czech pressed-glass beads are essentially smaller versions of the flat, 2-hole CzechMate Tiles-think of ½ of a CzechMate, with less rounded corners. They measure 6x3x3mm, with two 1mm-large holes that are about 2mm apart. The strands I've received are quite consistent in size and don't require much, if any, culling. I love working flat herringbone stitch with these beads. The beads won't angle to resemble classic herringbone, but a herringbone thread path quickly joins them. I also love working flat peyote stitch with these beads.
	Rullas Rullas are very similar to bricks because they also have 2 holes and are similar in size. However, their cylindrical profile is what sets the two apart. Rullas are 5mm wide and 3mm tall, with the two 1mm-large holes about 1.5mm apart. As with the bricks, I've found they are best suited for herringbone and peyote stitches, but this shouldn't deter you from playing around with them in other stitches. They tend to flop around a bit with flat right-angle weave, so plan on adding a few nets of embellishment beads to keep them in place.
	BeadStuds What do you get when you sit a pyramid on top of a flat, two-hole CzechMate Tile? A BeadStud! These fun beads are 12mm square at the base and about 9mm tall. The point of the pyramid is only on one side, so be mindful of this if your design will allow the beads to flip around. Pyramids I'm sure you've seen the many new bead spikes on the market. Give a spike 4 sides and what do you have? A pyramid! Measuring in at 7x11mm, their bases are wide and stable, making them perfect atop a bead-embroidery foundation. The 1mm-large hole sits about 3mm above the base of the bead, so plan to bead around the base of the pyramid to hide any thread left exposed. I would expect these beads to become available in more sizes, if they aren't already.
	Rizos These new embellishment beads, designed by Beadwork Designer of the Year Sabine Lippert, are elongated drop beads shaped like a grain of rice with one hole at one end. They measure 6mm long and are 3mm wide on one side and 2mm wide on the other side. I've found them to be very consistent in size. They are produced in the Czech Republic. I love the way the team at Beads by Blanche describes how this bead was born, read the charming love story here.
	Long drops Miyuki also has a new longer drop bead. Simply called "long drops," these beads are 5mm long and 3mm wide. They are more bulbous at the end than Rizos. I've found the top width of these beads (at the base of the hole) to be a bit inconsistent, so some culling is needed.
	Want to see these beads in action? Stay tuned for more information on my newest video workshop Beading with Shaped Beads: Tilas, Superduos, Peanuts, and More. In this DVD I discuss today's most popular shaped beads, including those shown above, and how to use them successfully in beadweaving projects. Download the workshop starting April 8th or purchase the DVD April 30th at interweavestore.com. Follow along as I explain and demonstrate the techniques that work best with each bead shape, plus watch me share tips for hiding threads, maintaining proper tension, and more. Discover which similar beads are interchangeable and which aren't.

Please share your experiences with the new shaped beads here. The possibilities are endless.

Have fun!
Melinda

Editor, Beadwork magazine

Brand New: Quick & Easy Beadwork

Kate Wilson — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Desert Thistle Earrings by Kristen Winter
Feb/March 2013 Beadwork

We're so excited to announce that we're now accepting submissions for our first-ever Quick & Easy Beadwork, a special issue from the editors of Beadwork magazine! Many of today's hottest fashion trends incorporate stylish beadwoven jewelry that can be worn every day--and can be made in a day or less. And that's just what we're bringing to you. This issue will include pieces that beaders of all experience levels can enjoy--from
DIY-ers who've never beaded before and are looking for a new craft to experienced designers who'd like a quick weekend project to wear to a party or whip up as a gift. We want to see simple techniques (peyote, herringbone, brick, right-angle weave, and/or square stitches) used in fresh and interesting ways that are fun to make and wear. This is your chance to invoke your inner fashionista and put your beading needles to work!

Swingin' Bugle Cuff by Cathi Tessier
June/July 2012 Beadwork

Keep in mind: We do not accept projects that have been previously published in books and magazines or on websites (even Etsy). If any portion of your submission has been published previously, please let us know when and where. Also, your submission MUST represent your original work--it is both unethical and undesirable to submit a project that you have learned or copied from someone else.

Submissions deadline: We are accepting emailed submissions now through March 25, 2013, and we may request that you send in the actual piece before a final decision is made. Visit beadworkmagazine.com/submissions for complete submission guidelines.

We so look forward to seeing your creations!

Bead chic,

Kate Wilson
Project Editor

Learn How to Add New Beading Thread with a Slipknot from Melanie Potter

Melinda Barta — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 05:11:00 GMT

A few years back I treated myself to a "beadcation." If you haven't done this for yourself yet, I highly recommend it! For my beadcation, I choose a trip to breathtaking San Luis Obispo, California to attend classes at Beads on the Vine with top teachers Melanie Potter, Cynthia Rutledge, Laura McCabe, and Carol Wilcox Wells. I still keep in touch with the friends I made there and often reference the amazing new tips and techniques I picked up.

While it's not always easy for us to sneak away to such great adventures as Beads on the Vine, today I'm happy to share with you one of the many great tips I learned from Beadwork Designer of the Year Melanie Potter. Not only is Melanie one of the sweetest people I know, but she's also a beading genius and a wonderfully patient teacher. What I love most about this technique is that it is sure to change the way you bead each and every time!

In this video excerpt from Bead Stitching Chevron Chain with Melanie Potter, Melanie shows us how to add a new thread mid-project, without having to end one thread and start another. In the past when my beading thread ran short, I used to tie it off between beads, weave the tail through a few beads, and trim the tail. Then, I would proceed to tie in five or so more feet of thread and weave it through beads to pick up where I left off. But now that I use this new slipknot technique from Melanie, adding new thread is a breeze and saves so much time and effort.

Best of all, this technique works with any beadwoven project, including peyote stitch, herringbone stitch, netting, right-angle weave, and more! So sit back, relax, and imagine you're on your own beadcation while taking this mini private lesson from Melanie Potter.

Do you have a favorite beadcation? Or do you have a different favorite technique for adding new thread?

Have fun,
Melinda

Editor, Beadwork

From One New Beader to Another

Kate Wilson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Although I've made strung jewelry for years, I'm pretty green when it comes to beadweaving. I've quickly fallen in love with the craft, but also hit some frustrating walls I've had to climb along the way.

I have the luxury of endless learning resources around me, but, like many new beaders, I've faced some trials and errors. During my bumps in the road, I compiled this short list of must-have and must-do advice for the beginning beader. If you're a seasoned beader, you can pass these on to friends who are just starting-or, give them to newbies as gifts!

1. Invest in a beading mat. When I first started, I tried using a tray I had from stringing necklaces. I became increasingly annoyed as tiny seed beads rolled down the crevices as I tried to string them. My editor gave me a beading mat, and it changed my life. I can't express enough how much a difference it makes. The mat holds my beads in place as I thread them onto my needle. I will never bead without one again.

2. Don't run before you walk. A mistake I've made is trying long, intricate projects before I'd completed simple ones. The minute I'd learn a new stitch, I'd practice 3 or 4 rows of it, then want to complete a whole necklace or bracelet. Being the perfectionist that I am, I wanted to instantly create projects that beaders with years of experience were creating. Although I was able to work through such projects, I found many mistakes and spent a lot of hours correcting errors. My husband reminded me that it took other beaders years to reach that level of excellence, and I can't expect that perfect quality from myself just days into learning. While it's great to aspire toward beautiful beadwork, give yourself time and lots of practice before moving on to advanced pieces.

3. Find a mentor. I'm fortunate to have my own personal beading guru, Beadwork Editor Melinda Barta, hanging around and helping me out. Not only have I watched all her instructional DVDs, but I'm always showing her my work and asking how I can improve. Face time with her has made a significant difference to my learning curve. And I email her questions often. Recently I sent an email that said "The end of my square stitches look like herringbone. Any advice?" She quickly responded and I was able to correct my mistake right away and move on. If you don't know anyone who fits the beading-mentor bill, take a class or join a beading group. Or, invest in Melinda Barta's DVDs. They're great tools and I wouldn't have learned so quickly without them.

4. Beader's Companion. I can't live without it. This isn't a sales pitch-The Beader's Companion by Judith Durant and Jean Campbell is just what it claims: a companion. I use it nearly every day in my job and while creating projects. When I want to buy a particular shape of bead, I flip to page 13 to see what name to search for. When I'm trying to decide what stitch to use in a design, I refer to the "off-loom stitches" section. This book is one of the most valuable tools I possess.

5. Thread conditioner. Another life-changing item. I've read online forum conversations where some participants said they don't think thread conditioner makes a difference. I'm not disputing that it's a personal preference, but I think it's beyond useful. I started beadweaving with nylon thread, which often became knotted, split, and frayed. It was especially hard to use with long pieces of working thread, and I couldn't keep it from getting messy. I started using Thread Heaven, and I wouldn't be without it now. I've since switched to FireLine thread, which I think is more workable than nylon threads, and I still use my conditioner with it sometimes. Many experienced beaders prefer beeswax, which is an equally viable option. Either way, I recommend using something to tame those wild threads.

These are just a few things I strongly recommend for beginners. I'll be sure to share my quips and new knowledge along the way as I learn.

Are there any items, tricks, or advice that has made your projects easier? We want to hear from you! Use the comment section below to share your best beading wisdom.

Happy Beading!

Kate Wilson
Project Editor