Showing posts with label Bead info. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bead info. Show all posts

Sunday, March 29, 2009

What about the square stitch ?

Another page of my beady journal...
This weekend, I managed to put some pictures of my work on DEVIANTART.
Also, after trying the Cellini spiral for three times, I just gave up... My thread was always getting tangled !
I was about to stop beading, when I descovered this tutorial about the square stitch :


And this is my sample, yay !...

Friday, March 27, 2009

A priceless collection...

As I decided to share all the information that I find regarding beading and beadwork, I will continue to do so today...
Here you will find a priceless information and tutorial collection, that you will surely appreciate !
Thank you for this collection, dear Candy, even we don't know each other !
Have a nice weekend, everybody !

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Bead Instructor Tips

Swimming among the lots of information about this new hobby of mine, I bumped into an older, but very interesting post (again, I know…) : Bead Instructor Tips
I decided to seize this opportunity as much as I can – not everyday you get the chance to receive tips and advices from professionals !
And, as I said, I would like to learn from the best !

Beading and beadwork books

I think that the Internet is the best information source, no matter what you want to learn, including beadwork.
However, if you really want to have some palpable learning materials about the art of beading, I have a suggestion : beadwork books.
Here is a list of the best books to learn beading and beadwork, according to the site About.com (more details HERE) :

1. Creative Bead Weaving: A Contemporary Guide to Classic Off Loom Stitches
2. Beadwork Basics by Ann Benson
3. Beading on a Loom by Don Pierce
4. The Art of Beadwork by Valerie Hector
5. French Inspired Jewelry - Creating with Vintage Beads, Buttons & Baubles
6. The Beader's Guide to Color by Margie Deeb7. Beaded Embellishment by Amy C. Clarke and Robin Atkins8. Beading for the Soul - Inspired Designs from 23 Contemporary Artists
9. Jill Oxton's Beautiful Beading for Beginners and Beyond
10. The New! Beader's Companion - Expanded and Updated from Interweave Press

Pattern maker

If you don’t know it already, here is something really useful for you, dear friends : The Patternmaker.
Here is how it works :
1. You upload an image (I suggest you to choose a simple image, in case you are a beginner like me)
2. You can change your settings (optional) : “view/hide advanced settings”. You have the possibility to modify the width, the type of cell, the colors…
3. You choose the stitch : Loom, Bricks, Peyote or Right Angle Weave.
4. Press the button “Create pattern” and…
You have your pattern ! Original and unique !
I usually modify a little the final pattern, by adding or deleting some elements.

If you are searching some ready-made, free, cute and simple patterns, you can find them in the same place.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Cardboard Box Loom

Innovative, inventive…I like these words !
But mostly I like this kind of ideas !
A very inventive idea that I found and I would like to share with you is this one : How To Make A Beaded Bracelet On A Cardboard Box Loom.

How To Make A Beaded Bracelet On A Cardboard Box Loom - Celebrity bloopers here


I should definitively try this !

Friday, March 20, 2009

Peyote - again !

For those who are just starting to find out more about beadwork&co - including myself, of course ! - I will post here one of my findings. Here is a very simple and practical tutorial about the even-count Peyote stitch. I would call it the ABC of Peyote technique.
You will learn, step-by-step, bead-by-bead, how to create a bead "fabric", a bead cylinder, and, the most important, how to create many variations and different designs using this technique. You just have to let your imagination ramble...

50 Great Beading Tips

This is a great article from the Beadwork Magazine, called "50 Great Beading Tips".
As many of you could need and appreciate it, I will share it here.

50GreatBeadingTips 50GreatBeadingTips blinkypoet

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Very useful links

The site About.com is an unlimited source of information about beadwork and jewelry making.
Here are some priceless links for you, that will help you in your beading process.
http://beadwork.about.com/
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/
http://familycrafts.about.com/
Enjoy !

Clasps

Besides beads and their variety, I am amazed about the variety of accessories...
Let’s take, for example, the clasps.
There are several types of clasps used in beading or jewelry making :
Spring Ring - These are very commonly used and are quite inexpensive compared to other types. They are secure and easy to attach to a design. A jump ring or chain tag may be used for the other side. The ring attached to the circle part of the clasp is either opened (not soldered) or closed (soldered). Many people find these difficult to close without some assistance. Some also use these to attach charms to bracelets.

Lobster or Trigger - These are also secure and easy to attach. A jump ring or split ring may be used for the other side. To open this type of clasp, a lever is pushed and a spring inside the clasp opens the bar so that the clasp may be attached to the other end of the item. Easier to use than a spring ring as the user can usually close it without assistance. These are more expensive than a spring ring as well.

Toggle - These are more decorative and heavier weight clasps. These come in 2 pieces a bar (usually straight), and another piece, usually round, that the bar goes through to kind of make a 't'. These are used usually in heavier necklaces. These come in a variety of attractive designs and usually make up part of the look of the piece.

Tube - These are used with multi-strand designs. They are held together with suction. To open, hold each side and pull. To close hold each side and push closed.


Information source : eBay Guides.

Want some more clasps ?
Here they are !



Let’s not forget about earrings !



...And beaded clasps :



My favorites are this kind of clasps :


Bead and beadwork

" A bead is a small, decorative object that is pierced for threading or stringing."
Here is a very interesting article with almost everything you need to know about the variety of beads and another one about beadwork.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Etsy and Flickr

Take my advice : if you open an online Etsy shop - bead addicts know what I'm talking about... - you better be also on Flickr !

Here is an article where Flickr users talk about their Etsy shops.

I will very soon talk about mine !

P.S. I would also create a Deviantart account, if I were you.

Share with the whole world your original work !

The cheapest beads

Where can I find the cheapest beads ?
Here is a article about cheap beading supplies.