From One New Beader to Another

re: From One New Beader to Another

DebB@46 — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:02:58 GMT

Hello Kate!

Thank you for your wonderful ideas and thoughts! In regards to your bead mat that is shown in the picture. Can you suggest where I might find one or did you make it yourself? I usually lay one of the velour beading mats in something about the same size or a a bit larger like a lid from one of those tin cookie cans or whatever I have thats not already being used for another project. I really like the one you have pictured though.

Thanks!

Deb Brown

re: From One New Beader to Another

Judith53 — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:33:08 GMT

Two things finally broke the proverbial mental block for me. Since there is no mentor here for me, I found lots of great visual instruction on You Tube. Sometimes written instructions assume too much previous experience, especially when the beads won't (and they never do) just cooperate and lay down in the correct positions those pesky first few rows. Once I saw what is supposed to happen, I found ways to make it work. For example, to get beads to lay correctly for peyote, I thread a long beading needle through every other bead on my working thread being sure that the "working end" bead (where the first turn and first new bead will go) is in the Down position. Then I stick both ends of the long needle in my beading mat, which firmly anchors the beads so they stay in position while I put in a few rows. After that I can take the long anchor needle out and everything is stable. The only caution is to be very careful to not let the thread twist around the long anchor needle while you are threading it through that first row of beads.

The other tremendous help is the book "Mastering Beadwork" by Carol Huber Cypher. This book covers the basics in progressive lessons utilizing 15 different off loom techniques. I consider it the ultimate inclusive textbook, well written, very descriptive, lots of illustrations and pictures, and very user friendly. And one ends up with a jewelry case loaded with very wearable art as one works through the lessons. If you can only have one book, this is the book that covers it all and then some. While I do not know Ms. Cypher personally, her book lets me feel like she is looking over my work and helping every step of the way.

re: From One New Beader to Another

brassi15 — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 22:13:27 GMT

@sbrady46 you just saved my beading life. I'm a newbie without a mentor and learning on my own. I have been so frustrated with learning the peyote stitch that I put it down Sunday night and not picked it up since. After reading your comment I realized that I was trying to learn with the wrong sized bead. I'm inspired to give it another try. Thank you........Susan

re: From One New Beader to Another

sbrady46 — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 11:26:26 GMT

I'e been bead weaing for a while. The one mistake that I see made and I did it myself, is using the 11 or 15 to learn with. I now teach weaing and the first thing I say to newies is Start with 8 or even 6 till you learn the stitch. It is easy to get lost with the smaller beads! Weaving is my passion. and the end product is amazing!