How To's For Beadwork
This is where you will find advice, tips and hints about 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…
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…
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…
Wire Working Tools and Their Uses
A gallery of images showcasing the different types of wire work pliers with some information on their uses.
A gallery of images showcasing the different types of wire work pliers with some information on their uses.
How to Properly Use Crimping Pliers
A free step by step tutorial that illustrates the proper way to use crimp tubes and crimping pliers.
A free step by step tutorial that illustrates the proper way to use crimp tubes and crimping pliers.
Making a Basic Loop
Step by step directions for how to make a basic loop using wire.
Step by step directions for how to make a basic loop using wire.
How to Make a Wrapped Loop
Step by step directions for how to make a wrapped loop out of wire.
Step by step directions for how to make a wrapped loop out of wire.
Making a Place to Bead
Whether you are a homebody or travel frequently, you will always count on your beadwork to relax you at the end of a hard day. Here are some ideas and suggestions for what you need to create a comfortable, inviting workspace to make the most of your beading time.
Whether you are a homebody or travel frequently, you will always count on your beadwork to relax you at the end of a hard day. Here are some ideas and suggestions for what you need to create a comfortable, inviting workspace to make the most of your beading time.
Overcoming Beader's Block
It's happened to us all. You finish a masterpiece of beadwork and are giddy with delight. You sit down at your work table with your beads in front of you and - nothing. Nothing at all happens. The light in your head does not go off, your fingers won't work properly, and you start breaking needles and beads and your thread gets tangled in an unprecedented mess. So what do you do? Here are a …
It's happened to us all. You finish a masterpiece of beadwork and are giddy with delight. You sit down at your work table with your beads in front of you and - nothing. Nothing at all happens. The light in your head does not go off, your fingers won't work properly, and you start breaking needles and beads and your thread gets tangled in an unprecedented mess. So what do you do? Here are a …
How to Make Your Own Seed Bead Mix
Step by step instructions for how to make your own custom and unique mixes of seed beads.
Step by step instructions for how to make your own custom and unique mixes of seed beads.
How to Make a 2-Strand Clasp
A step by step set of instructions on how to make a wire-wrapped 2-strand clasp out of a set of 2-hole beads.
A step by step set of instructions on how to make a wire-wrapped 2-strand clasp out of a set of 2-hole beads.
How To Have a Beading Party
One of the things that drew me to the art of beadwork is the community surrounding the craft. I have found many wonderful friends through my beadwork and through my local bead store, and one of the things that we enjoy doing the most is getting together once in a while to eat, drink and bead. We share so much with each other about art and life and it’s great to get opinions on our current pro…
One of the things that drew me to the art of beadwork is the community surrounding the craft. I have found many wonderful friends through my beadwork and through my local bead store, and one of the things that we enjoy doing the most is getting together once in a while to eat, drink and bead. We share so much with each other about art and life and it’s great to get opinions on our current pro…
How to Make Your Own Peyote Stitch Toggle Clasp
After spending hours and hours on a piece of beautiful beadwork, why settle for an ordinary clasp? Instead, make your own clasp out of materials that match the beads you used in your masterpiece. Before you try this, make sure that you are comfortable with even-count tubular peyote stitch.
After spending hours and hours on a piece of beautiful beadwork, why settle for an ordinary clasp? Instead, make your own clasp out of materials that match the beads you used in your masterpiece. Before you try this, make sure that you are comfortable with even-count tubular peyote stitch.
How to Stitch a Peyote Bezel Around a Cabochon With a Backing
Easy, step-by-step directions to stitch a peyote bezel around a cabochon that has a backing attached to it.
Easy, step-by-step directions to stitch a peyote bezel around a cabochon that has a backing attached to it.
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.
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.
Beading on a Budget
With all the glum news about the economy and thousands of people uncertain about their jobs, it makes sense that more and more people are turning to handcrafts as a way to soothe their souls and seek refuge from the five o clock news. But when you are trying to stick to a budget, you might think that it can hamper your creative impulses. Not so, if you try a few of these ideas.
With all the glum news about the economy and thousands of people uncertain about their jobs, it makes sense that more and more people are turning to handcrafts as a way to soothe their souls and seek refuge from the five o clock news. But when you are trying to stick to a budget, you might think that it can hamper your creative impulses. Not so, if you try a few of these ideas.
5 Tips for Better Beading Classes
Taking a class in beadweaving can be a great way to make new friends, meet new people and add to your set of bead stitching skills. But it can also be a very frustrating experience, particularly if you go into it unprepared. As a teacher of beadweaving, I can offer a few tips for making your class experience fun, relaxing and enriching.
Taking a class in beadweaving can be a great way to make new friends, meet new people and add to your set of bead stitching skills. But it can also be a very frustrating experience, particularly if you go into it unprepared. As a teacher of beadweaving, I can offer a few tips for making your class experience fun, relaxing and enriching.
Store Beads - How to Store Your Bead 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…
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:
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…
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…
5 Beadweaving Must Have Tools
As you explore the fun of beadweaving, you will come to rely on a few simple tools over and over. There are a few tools that I always have handy when I sit down to work. Not only does having these items nearby make my work easier, but also more enjoyable.
As you explore the fun of beadweaving, you will come to rely on a few simple tools over and over. There are a few tools that I always have handy when I sit down to work. Not only does having these items nearby make my work easier, but also more enjoyable.