Once you have all your beadwork supplies and patterns handy, it's time to set up a place where you can bead in comfort. Some beading projects can take a couple of hours, others a couple of days or longer. So when it's time to set up your beading area, there are a couple of things you'll want to have handy every time you sit down to bead.

For me, the most important thing to have is a good work surface. Since I'm a work-at-home Mom, I needed to have a portable work surface that I could carry with me from room to room, or even from town to town when I travel. My Deluxe Bead Traveler from Designer's Findings lets me do that - it's one of the best investments I've made since I started beading.

Besides learning the intricacies of each beading stitch, there are other skills that you should master. Some of them are pretty simple - cutting and conditioning your beading thread - and others take a little more practice. Knowing how to weave in your thread tails, adding new thread, and learning how to read a peyote stitch graph are all things that you'll need to know for doing beadwork, and with a little practice, they can become second nature!

Once you feel comfortable with a couple of off-loom beading stitches, did you know that there are lots of free beading patterns available for you to practice your new skills?

If you love making beaded jewelry, check out the free patterns for beaded necklaces, beaded bracelets, and beaded earrings. There are also patterns for amulet bags and beaded components like flowers and leaves that you can use to make your own original designs.

The Beauty of Spring Necklace is actually made from a few simple embellishment techniques. You can make the necklace thicker or thinner by adding more embellishment or doing less. It's all up to you - you can even change the types of beads you use for a truly personal look.

This easy crystal tennis bracelet really is just that - beautiful and simple and with lots of sparkle. You can make one up in just a few hours with some Swarovski bicone beads and a few seed beads.

New patterns are being put on the site every week, with new techniques for you to learn! Check back frequently for new free projects, tutorials and more!

Even if you already know how to do off-loom beadwork, you might be looking for a new stitch to try. There are lots of free tutorials available for off-loom beading stitches and beadweaving techniques.

Some stitches are more difficult to learn than others, and it's always different from person to person. When I first started beadweaving, I had the worst time learning peyote stitch - while everyone else in my beading group had said that it was the first stitch they mastered. It took me over a year to figure it out, and I finally did with the help of a caring and patient teacher. But if you don't have access to a teacher or a class, there are still a few things you can do to make it easier to learn a new stitch.

Beaded cords and ropes are another fun way to expand your beading stitch repertoire. There are so many different types of ropes to learn, and most of them make quick and beautiful bracelets.

Or if you just want to add a little extra something to your beaded designs, try adding some fringe. There are a few basic styles of fringe that you can easily customize to fit your beadwork and really make it your own.

Make up several samples of different beading stitches and see which ones you like the best! It's also good to keep a little bag or notebook with all your beaded samples handy as a reference when starting a new project.

Once you have your seed beads, you need something to hold them together. Beading threads are most commonly used to weave the beads together, with or without a loom.

There are two types of beading threads used by most beaders for loom work, bead embroidery, and off-loom beadweaving. Bonded beading threads resemble fishing line and are also known as gel-spun threads. Some of these beading threads are actually fishing line that has been packaged for beading shops - so make sure you check your local sporting goods or outdoor store's fishing section for some great deals on lightweight fishing line that you can use as beading thread.

Bonded beading threads are great threads for beginners because they don't require much preparation before you use them - just cut and stitch. They are also somewhat stronger than some nylon beading threads, and they don't tangle as easily. But they can be much more expensive than nylon beading threads, and they don't come in as many colors.

Nylon beading threads can also be a good choice for beginners because they are easily found in most local bead shops and are inexpensive. They also come in dozens of different colors to match your beads. Most nylon beading threads require a few extra steps before using them to stitch - they usually have to be stretched and conditioned before you can use them, and if you use longer lengths of thread in your stitching, you'll want to know how to loosen a knot in case it gets tangled.

Beading needles are another supply that you'll need for your beadwork. Like the threads, there are some needles that are designed specifically for beadwork. There are also other needles that are fine enough to be used for beadwork - it's all up to you and what feels most comfortable for your work.