Beadweaving Skills
Beadweaving Videos
A directory of our free beadweaving video tutorials.
Attach a Slide Clasp to a Peyote Stitch Bracelet
Use beaded end loops to attach a sleek slide lock clasp to a peyote stitch cuff bracelet.
Get Started Loom Beading
Learn about the styles of beading looms, how to warp a loom, how to weave beads, and how to finish off your designs.
Loom Beading
Learn how to weave beads on a simple bead loom.
Using the No-Wind Method to Warp a Bead Loom
Use this technique to warp your loom when you won't need to wind (wind on) the beadwork.
Weaving-In With Square Stitch
Learn how to weave-in your thread when you work with square stitch, including making half-hitch knots and cutting your thread.
Loom Beading Expert Tips
Reader tips and bits of advice for beaders just getting started with loomwork.
Begin a New Weft Thread in Loom Beadwork
Learn how to finish an old weft thread and begin a new one when the first thread begins to run out.
How to Add a New Thread to Beadwork
Adding a new thread into your beadwork is a basic beadwork skill that will make your beadwork more enjoyable and will make your finished beadwork last longer. This article includes step by step directions, tips for maintaining your tension, and a reference graph that illustrates a suggested thread path for adding your new thread.
Terms and Annotations Used in Beading Patterns
Learn about the terms and annotations commonly used in beading tutorials and patterns.
Beaded Butterfly Bail Tutorial
Add a simple beaded bail to your beadwoven pendant.
Weaving In With Peyote Stitch
Learn how to weave beading thread into peyote stitch beadwork.
How to Cut Your Beading Thread
Tips and information on how to correctly cut your beading thread. Cutting thread is a pretty simple task, but doing it the right way will prevent your thread from fraying and will make your beadwork more professional-looking.
How to Tie a Half-Hitch Knot
Instructions and step by step photographs on how to tie a half-hitch knot.
How to Tie a Surgeon's Knot
Instructions and step by step photos on how to tie a surgeon's knot.
What Is Meant by Single-Strand Beadweaving?
Learn more about off-loom beadweaving with a "single strand" of beading thread.
How to Tie a Square Knot
Instructions and step by step photographs on how to tie a square knot.
How to Tie a Lark's Head Knot
Step by step photographs and instructions for how to tie a Lark's Head knot.
Readers' Tips for Threading Your Beading Needles
A collection of tips from readers for how to thread your beading needles.
How to Choose the Right Size Needles and Threads for Your Seed Beads
Using the right size of needle and thread for your seed beads is an important part of your beading projects. Because seed beads come in so many different sizes and shapes, using the right size needle and thread can make your project easier and more enjoyable.
A smaller size seed bead will require a smaller size thread and needle to allow for several thread passes through each bead. Larger s…
How to Thread a Beading Needle
If you are going to do any kind of off-loom beadweaving or any loomed beadwork, threading your needle is the first step to making your first stitch. But threading your needle can be difficult and frustrating, particularly if you are new to beading. These are a few simple steps and tips that can help make threading your needle easier and make your beadwork more enjoyable.
How to Prepare Nylon Beading Thread
Step by step instructions for how to prepare your nylon beading thread before stitching.
How to Find Inspiration for Your Beadwork
Ideas about where to look for new sources of inspiration for your beadwork.
How to Make a Project-Specific Beading Kit
Project beading kits are always a welcome gift between bead buddies. I can still remember the first beading kit I received as a gift – it was two pieces of Ultrasuede and a selection of seed beads and a fastener that was meant to be turned into a carry case for my round thread cutter. The friend who put the kit together for me used my favorite colors – Earth tones – and even though it has…
How to Make a Beading Kit for a Beginner
You might want to consider making a beginner’s beading kit as a special treat for a good beading buddy, or as a gift for yourself. I can’t think of a better way to get someone totally hooked on beading. The items I’ve included on this list are only suggestions, of course, and you can and should customize your beginner’s beading kit for the recipient’s likes and dislikes - feel free to…
How to Bezel a Rivoli
Easy step-by-step instructions that show you how to make a peyote stitched bezel out of cylinder beads and seed beads for a Swarovski crystal Rivoli.
Bead Storage for Your Stash
If you’re like me, you believe that you can never have too many beads. As a professional bead artist, my collection has steadily grown over the last ten years to the point where I had to set aside a room in my home just for my beads. While you may not have vast quantities of beads, there are a few things you can do to keep your stash organized. There is nothing more frustrating than not bein…
5 Tips For Learning a New Beading Stitch
Learning a new beading stitch can open up a whole world of possibilities, but it can also be extremely frustrating, especially if you are trying to teach yourself. Here are 5 tips for making that learning process easier for you:
How To Care For Your Beadwork
Caring for your beadwork is very important. You’ve spent hours creating a lovely piece of wearable art, so take the proper steps to make sure that it lasts. If cared for properly, a piece of beadwork can last for several generations. If you give your beadwoven jewelry away as a gift, you might want to tuck a small card into the pouch or box in which you give the piece with these guidelines p…
How to Break a Bead
If you've made a mistake in your beadwork and need to remove a bead by breaking it, there is a way to do it safely and correctly. Correcting mistakes in your beadwork is an important basic beadwork skill.
How to Tear Out Your Beadwork
It doesn't sound like something you'd want to do, but knowing the proper way to tear out your beadwork stitching will prevent any more damage to your thread. Knowing how to tear out your beadwork is a good basic beadwork skill to know.
How to Remove a Knot From Your Beading Thread
If you discover a knot in your beading thread, there are a few things you can do to try and remove it before resorting to cutting your thread. Knowing what to try to remove a knot from your beading thread is a good basic beadwork skill to have.
How to Use a Bead Stopper
Find out how to use a bead stopper when stringing beads for off-loom beadweaving projects and for beaded jewelry projects.
How to String a Stop Bead
Step by step instructions for how to string a stop bead, a beading skill that can help beginners keep their beads on their thread without falling off.
How to Use Tape to Keep Beads on Beading Thread
Learn how to use regular self-adhesive tape to keep your beads from falling off your thread when you start a new piece of beadwork.
How to Use Tension to Keep Beads on Beading Thread
Learn how to keep your beads on your beading thread just by using your fingers.
How to Weave a Thread Tail Into Beadwork
Steps for weaving a thread tail into your beadwork as a finishing technique along with tips for maintaining tension and avoiding common problems and mistakes. Properly weaving your tail threads in is an important basic skill for doing beadwork.
All Tied Up in Knots
When adding and ending thread in your beadwork, make sure that you use a secure knot to fasten the threads. Making good knots can prevent your thread from unraveling and will make your beadwork last longer. Take the time to review these knots and practice tying them. While it can be tricky to learn how to tie a good knot when doing beadwork, it will greatly improve the quality and durability of …
Tips for Threading Your Needle
Here are a few tips for threading your beading needle. Even if you are an experienced beader, we all run into problems threading our needles. These tips just might help.
Basic Skills for Beaders (And Why They are Important)
New and experienced beaders should both take a look at this list of essential basic skills for beaders. Learning how to perform each of these tasks properly will make your time spent beading more enjoyable. Knowing basic beadwork skills will also make your work last longer so future generations can enjoy what you have created.
What Do I Need to Get Started Beadweaving?
If you are thinking about diving in to beading and beadwork as a new hobby, but aren't sure about what you might need to get started, here is a checklist of supplies you might want to gather before you start. The good news is that the supplies you need are pretty easy to come by, and your local bead shop would most likely be happy to help you get started.
How Many Beads Will I Need?
A set of basic tables to let you estimate how many seed or cylinder beads you need for your beading project. Estimated bead amounts are given per gram; per linear inch and linear centimeter; and per square inch and per square centimeter.
Setting Up a Place to Bead: Your Ideal Beading Area
If you are thinking about setting up a place in your home specifically to do beadwork, then you should think about each of these important things before you set up. Making sure that you are comfortable when and where you bead will make your time spent beading much more enjoyable.
Splitting Your Thread and How to Correct It
Nylon beading thread is great for beading, but one of it's drawbacks is that you might accidentally split the fibers of the thread with your needle. Here is some information on how to prevent split threads and how to correct a split thread in your beadwork.
Good Lighting for Doing Beadwork and Why It's Important
Information on what constitutes good lighting for doing beadwork and why good lighting is important for doing beadwork.
How to Count Rows in Right Angle Weave
How to count your rows when working in the off loom beadweaving stitch called right angle weave. Counting your rows is an important basic beading...
How to Count Rows in Flat Peyote Stitch
Learn how to count your rows when working in flat peyote stitch, a popular off loom beadweaving stitch. Counting your rows is a basic beading...
How to Count Rows in Square Stitch
Learn how to count rows when working in square stitch, an off loom beadweaving stitch that looks similar to beaded loom work. Knowing how to...
How to Count Rows in Tubular Even Count Peyote Stitch
Learn how to count rows when working in tubular even count peyote stitch. Tubular even count peyote stitch is a popular off loom beadweaving...
Learn How to Do Beadwork - How to Hold Flat Beadwork
If you are new to beaded jewelry making and learning how to do beadwork, this article will give you some help in learning how to hold flat beadwork.
Learn How to Do Beadwork - How to Hold Tubular Beadwork
If you are new to beaded jewelry making and are teaching yourself how to do beadwork, this article will tell you how to pick up beads onto your needle.
Learn How to Bead - How to Pick Up Beads on a Beading Needle
If you are learning how to do beadwork and new to beaded jewelry making, this article will teach you how to pick up beads on a beading needle.
Beaded Ropes - How to Add a Toggle Clasp to a Beaded Rope
Easy steps to add a toggle clasp to your favorite beaded rope. Simple beaded ropes make great necklaces and are a great introduction to beaded jewelry making. You can turn a simple beaded rope into a beautiful beaded necklace by just adding a clasp.
How to Do Beadwork - How to Use a Double-Strand Thread
When you are learning how to do beadwork or bead weaving, you might find a time when you need to use a double strand of beading thread. This article tells you how to use a double strand of beading thread.
Learn How to Do Beadwork - How Much Beading Thread Should I Use?
When learning how to do beadwork, many beginners don't know how long a piece of thread to use in their beading projects. This article will help explain how to figure out how much beading thread to use for your bead weaving projects.
Learn Beadwork - How to Zip Up Peyote Stitch and Brick Stitch
Learn how to zip up peyote stitch or brick stitch into a tube. Beaded tubes can be used in beaded jewelry making and as beaded beads.
Bezeling a Rivoli - How Many Delicas Do I Need to Bezel a Rivoli?
Bezeling a Rivoli - How Many Beads Do I Need to Bezel a Rivoli?
Bezeling a Rivoli - How Many Delicas Do I Need to Bezel a Rivoli?
Bezeling a Rivoli - How Many Beads Do I Need to Bezel a Rivoli?
Beading Stitches Used to Make Beaded Ropes
Beaded ropes are fun to stitch up and can be made from any tubular variation of a flat beadweaving stitch. There are also a couple of beaded rope stitches that aren't related to another beadweaving stitch. Beaded ropes are incredibly versatile and can be used to make beaded bracelets, beaded necklaces and beaded lariats.
Explore each of...
Photographing Your Beadwork - How to Photograph Beaded Jewelry and Beadwork
Learning how to take good photographs of my beadwork and beaded jewelry was the most important thing I did when I decided to become a professional bead artist. This series of articles and tutorials will guide you through the process of getting to know your digital camera and how to get the most out of it in order to take good, clear pictures of...
Photographing Your Beadwork - Good Lighting for Photographing Your Beadwork
A series of short articles about how to determine the proper lighting for taking photographs of your beadwork.
Learn Beadwork from Scratch
You can learn how to do beadwork from scratch. Use these simple tips, patterns and tutorials to teach yourself how to do beadwork from scratch. These free beading lessons will get you started in beadwork in no time!
Learn Beadwork from Scratch
You can learn how to do beadwork from scratch. Use these simple tips, patterns and tutorials to teach yourself how to do beadwork from scratch. These free beading lessons will get you started in beadwork in no time!
How to do Beadwork Basics - Keeping Beads on Beading Thread
When you start a new off-loom beadweaving or beading project, you'll need a way to keep the first set of beads on your thread until you have established the your stitching pattern. Try one of these methods to keep beads on the beading thread.
Learn Beadwork and Beading Basics - How to Correct Mistakes in Beadwork
No matter how careful you are when you bead, mistakes still happen. But the good news is that you can correct these mistakes and still go on to finish a beautiful piece of beadwork or beaded jewelry. This list is some of the most common mistakes that happen in beadwork and how you can correct them.
Beadwork - What is the Difference Between Beadwork and Beadweaving?
This article answers the question, "What is the difference between beadwork and beadweaving?" While the two terms may seem interchangeable, there is actually a difference. While the exact definitions are sometimes debated by professional beaders and beadweavers, here is a simple answer to give you a starting point.
Beadweaving - Why is it Called Off-Loom Beadweaving?
Off-loom beadweaving is a set of specific beading techniques and stitches. This article explains a little more about off-loom beadweaving and beading stitches.
Learn How to Do Beadwork - What's the Best Beadwork Stitch to Learn?
If you are just getting started with beadweaving and beadwork, you are probably wondering what the best stitch is for you to learn first. Here are some suggestions for picking out a new beading stitch and tips for learning that beading stitch.
Learn How to Do Beadwork - Learn How to Hold Beadwork
Learn how to do beadwork and how to hold your beadwork. Holding your beadwork properly will make it easier to complete a project and to learn a new beading stitch. Holding your beadwork properly is an important basic beadwork technique.
How to Use Up Leftover Beads
Some ideas for using up leftover beads. If you've got beads left over after you finish a project, you can use them in many different ways.
How to Use a Needlework Pattern as a Beading Pattern
Learn how to transform a vintage needlework pattern into a pattern for beadweaving.
How to Prepare a Beading Needle and Thread
Learn what it means to prepare your beading needle and thread for beadweaving.
How to Add New Beading Thread Before Ending the Old Thread
Here is an efficient technique for ending an old (used up) length of beading thread and starting a new one in your beadwork.
5 Common Mistakes Made by Beginning Beaders
Learn how to avoid the most common beadweaving mistakes.
How to Decide Which Size of Crimps to Use
Learn which sizes of crimps are best to use on which sizes of beading wire.
Suggested Thread Paths for Starting and Ending Threads in Beadwork
A series of charts that show examples of suggested thread paths (directions) for weaving in your threads when you start and end new threads in your beadwork.
Making Paper Beads
A gallery of photos courtesy of Vicki Dehne, the originator of the Paper Bead Roller.
Making Paper Beads
Step by step instructions on how to make your own rolled paper beads using the Paper Bead Roller.
How to Count Rows in Brick Stitch
Learn how to count your rows when working in brick stitch, an off loom beadweaving stitch. Counting your rows is an important basic skill when...
Spiral Tube Charted Peyote Stitch Pattern
This is the charted peyote stitch pattern to make a simple beaded bead that can be used for beaded earrings, bracelets, necklaces or other beading projects.
How to Make an Easy Peyote Stitch Beaded Bead
If you want to get started making your own beaded beads, here are a few easy steps to follow to make your own easy peyote stitch beaded bead. Beaded beads can be used to make your own beaded bracelets, beaded necklaces and beaded earrings.
How to Correct Loose Beading Thread Tension
Learn how to use a new length of beading thread to correct loose tension in your beadwork.