Choosing different types of beads
If you are thinking about making a beautiful handmade accessory for a friend or a loved one, you are sure to want to find the perfect bead or gem to suit their taste. Before you start, you need to think about your friend’s tastes for there are two very different types of beads; one is a glamorous and feminine gem and the other, a classic and simple bead.
If your friend or loved one already has a lot of elegant jewellery such as diamond rings and silver necklaces, then why not surprise them with a one of a kind, handmade beaded bracelet? Once you have read my articles on how to make your own jewellery, now is the time to decide which beads you should use.
Lead Crystal Beads
If you want to make a glamorous and feminine bracelet, then I would recommend using lead crystal beads.
Lead oxide is added to molten glass which gives these beads an amazing shine and shimmering effect. Surprisingly, these gems are quite soft, so great care must be taken to ensure you do not scratch the surface. Some of the most notable makers of lead crystal include Swarovski (Austria), Steuben Glass (USA) and Arc International (France).
Seed Beads
If you want to make a simple and classic accessory, then you might like the sound of seed beads. They are delicate beads which range in style and size, from ovals to rectangles. They are often used as dividers between other beads but they are also striking by themselves.
Before World War II, there was a huge bead industry in eastern Europe where many factories made beads out of glass, metal, aluminum and steel. However, most of the factories were destroyed during the war. If you are lucky enough to find one of these rare, vintage beads, it will certainly add a striking feature to the bracelet, as well as being an interesting story to tell your friend.
Elegant or classic? The beads can make all the difference!
Beaded turtle-pattern
Making beaded toys,like this turtle is rather amazing hobby. It is not very difficult to make it. Find out pattern of this beaded turtle at beads-making.com
Making a beaded necklace
Creating a beaded necklace requires time, patience and the right tools, but is something nearly anyone can learn to do with ease. Follow these simple steps to learn more about how to create your own beaded necklace.
Tools and Supplies
Before you can start making your necklace, it is important that you have the right beading tools and supplies available. This will ensure you bead a excellent necklace that will last a long time. You will need the following items: jewelry wire, beading needle, beading thread, beads, beading design board, a flat surface to work on, craft glue, scissors, and a pair of flat nose pliers. Read the rest of this entry »
Building the Sides of Beaded Box
When you are satisfied with the size of the base of your box, continue to bead around the edges without increasing (every space gets only one bead).
Remember to step up as you complete each row—you arc now working with tubular peyote stitch.
How to Make Two Pairs of Simple Earrings
Here is a video showing, step by step, how to make Two Pairs of Simple Earrings. I hope that it will be very interesting for you.
Beaded Square Box
STARTUP ROWS
Row 1: String 4 beads, and tic in an over-hand knot (as if you are beginning to tic a shoestring), leaving an 8″ {20.3 cm) tail.
Grasp the tail tightly in the hand that is not holding the needle until you have established several rows. Sew Through the next bead.
Triangle Beaded Box
STARTUP ROWS
Row 1: String 3 beads, and tic in an over-hand knot (as if you are beginning to tie a shoestring), leaving an 8th (20.3 cm) tail. Grasp the tail tightly in the hand that is not holding the needle until you have established several rows. Sew through the next bead. Read the rest of this entry »
Beading the base for beaded boxes.
To build the boxes, you will work with variations on peyote stitch.
Peyote stitch is a popular beadwork technique that has several variations.A more descriptive name for the stitch is “one-bead netting,” because technically it is a netted stitch with “up” beads—the beads that protrude from the row—and “down” beads—the beads that recede into the row.
The working row is always buill from the up beads. The netting contains one bead per stitch, so the result is a solid fabric of beads.
Beaded boxes-Getting Started
My little boxes are self-supporting, peyote-stitched vessels, woven with cylinder beads. I developed this technique by applying to beadwork the same principles that are used to increase in crochet.
These boxes may be as small as 1″ (2.5 cm) wide—or as large as your patience (and tension) will allow.
The process of making a box has many steps. As you complete each step, write down what you have done in case you need to refer back later in the project.