So just what the heck is beadwork anyway?

I've noticed that one of my favorite sites has to be beadwork.about.com.  Now that got me thinking, just what is beadwork anyway?!

So I looked it up on "Wiki" and their definition is below.... it makes sense to me now what beadwork is and why the about.com site is so useful.

Do check it out, I highly recommend it.  Do you know any awesome sites you can share with us?  Post a comment and let us all know about it!

Talk soon (I hope!), Julie

Beadwork is the art or craft of attaching beads to one another or to cloth using a needle and thread. Most beadwork takes the form of jewelry or other personal adornment, but beads are also used in wall hangings and sculpture.Beadwork techniques are broadly divided into loom and off-loom weaving, stringing, bead embroidery, bead crochet, and bead knitting.Most cultures have employed beads for personal adornment. Archaeological records show that people made and used beads as long as 5000 years ago. Beads have also been used for religious purposes, as good luck talismans, and as curative agents.

Beadwork - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

technorati tags:beading, beadwork, beadwork.about.com, wikipedia

I'm so sorry!

I haven't been able to blog in what seems like an eternity!  My partner Edward decided to switch Internet people and so I've been without the internet for what seems like forever (I still am, I'm  actually writing this at a friends house).  Please bear with me if updates are infrequent over the next little while.

Julie

Ebay: The place to end your beadings woes?

Hey,

So immediately after posting that last post I had a brainwave and thought, "hey, what about ebay?"

So without further ado, I give you beading storage options from ebay.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=beading+storage&category0=

(Again, this is completely without affiliate links).

Julie

technorati tags:beading, storage, shop, ebay

Ugh! Is it just me or is your beading storage a mess too?

I had a lot of fun at the beading party last night, but my beads are a mess!!  How do you keep up with all that storage?  And it seems like the more diverse your interests the more you have to find storage room for.

How do you keep your beading supplies organised?  Post a comment and let me know :)

Julie

technorati tags:beading, storage

No blog update tonight (this morning) I'll blog in the morning, sorry guys!

Hey,

Well a friend of mine threw a beading party tonight.  It was so much fun!  Ah, I had a blast.  And she had some new beads I hadn't seen before (so I got some *smile*).  I told my friends I had started a "blog" and that they should check it out.  They laughed at me.  That's ok though because I just can't help but share this wonderful creative craft.  I think everyone should learn it.

So how about you.  Do you have a blog?  Did your friends laugh at you when you started it?  Should I keep it up or are my friends right and I should give it up (not that I could)?  Please post a comment - you can remain anonymous :)

I'm off to bed.  I'll be sure to post soon!

Julie

Rings & Things - The Place to Bead Shop on the Web

I think I speak for us all when I say, we love our craft, but we want to keep it affordable.  Right?  So I've found what I think has got to be the best "wholesale to the public" site on the web.

Rings & Things

Now this is not an affiliate link.  I've linked directly to the site without any affiliate mumbo jumbo stuff (an affiliate is someone that gets paid a percentage of each sale).  I want to provide you with the best information possible, not line my pockets with your hard earnt money.

Here's a little more about Rings & Things:

Rings and Things has been around for ages, has just about everything you need to bead and are all-around great folks to do business with. They stock everything from sterling silver, Swarovski crystal, liquid silver beads, alphabet beads, gold filled beads, thread, chain, findings and more. Requires a $25 minimum order.


Julie

technorati tags:beading, supplies, shopping, online

What a cool beading project for the kids...

Check this out.  It's called a "bead buddy".  Oh its adorable.  I've made several today.  They're so fun and easy to make.  I've included a link to the tutorial I found below.  The instructions are a little vague (at least they were for me) but check it out, and let me know what you think by leaving a comment!

Julie.

Bead Buddies Tutorial

technorati tags:bead, buddies, fun, kids

The "standard" brick stitch - a tutorial

Here's a tutorial which teaches you the foundations of brick stitch.  Beadseast.com have an animated tutorial on their web site.  Here I've linked to a pdf document which shows you how the stitch is done.

Julie

Brick Stitch Tutorial from Beadseast.com

technorati tags:brick, stitch, tutorial, pdf, beadseast

The "other" brick stitch, and a cute little purple cow pattern!

I found this cute purple cow and I thought I'd share it with you.  Isn't it just the cutest little thing ever?  Oh I think its fantastic!  It uses a variation on brick stitch.  Check it out. 

Julie

The "Other" Brick Stitch and a Cute Cow Bead Pattern, too!Learn a variation on Brick Stitch that involves passing through the beads of the previous row rather than passing through the thread of the previous row. Work this with a fairly thin thread to avoid bead breakage and you'll have good luck. It makes a sturdy stitch and the tutorial comes with a free bead patterns for this cute little cow, too!

The "Other" Brick Stitch and a Cute Cow Bead Pattern, too!

technorati tags:beading, pattern, brick, stitch

Brick Stitch History

Hey, I found this cool history of the brick stitch which I thought I'd share.  I've included an extract of it here.

Julie

Brick Stitch is a very old beading stitch. It is a relative to peyote stitch. Both brick stitch samplers can be made using peyote stitch if the patterns worked vertically instead of horizontally.

Native Americans have used brick stitch for many years. The Comanches used brick stitch extensively, as well as peyote (gourd) stitch for decoration of bags, cradles and other items. Some Iroquois wrist and hair bands were worked in bead stitches that kept each row of beads offset much like brick stitch and perhaps was a precursor to the stitch. The Totadaho Belt (wampum), dated late 1750’s is probably worked in long strips of bugles and then stitched together, making an offset appearance that looks like brick stitch. Old, brick stitch beadwork has been found in Guatemala worked in antique beads size 22/0 or smaller. The originators are unknown. Beadwork from Africa and the Middle East also include brick stitch techniques. In reviewing quill work and basketry created by Native Americans, the cross sections of various reeds in basketry and quills placed in decorative pieces both naturally appear offset like brick stitch beading. The motifs easily work from one medium to another. Perhaps as the use of beads evolved, the same appearance was desired that follows in the other crafts.

Continues...

Brick Stitch History

technorati tags:brick, stitch, history, native, american, beading

Handy Illustrated Beading Glossary

Here's a handy little illustrated glossary from beadage.com.  Definately check it out and if you've got the time, help them to grow the glossary and let's improve it for everyone.

Julie

Beading Glossary

technorati tags:beading, glossary, illustrated

A georgeous beading pattern to get you started with peyote stitch

Following on from yesterdays peyote stich tutorial I thought it would be handy to find a basic pattern which is quite attractive to get you started with peyote stitch.  I hope you like it!

Julie

An absolutely adorable Valentine's Day pattern called "Floating Hearts", designed by Dona exclusively for Beadwork.About.Com.

The Floating Hearts Amulet Bag is beaded in 2-drop Peyote stitch and is 38 single beads wide worked in 19 sets of 2 beads each. It is 81 rows down for the front of the Amulet. You could bead an additional 81 rows in the same pattern for the back of the Amulet or bead the additional 81 rows in white, pink, red or any combination of these colors! Enjoy!

Dona Anderson's Floating Hearts Pattern - Beadwork

technorati tags:peyote, stitch, beading, pattern

My favorite retailer: UniqueBeadedJewelry.com

This stunning image is one of the many many patters on UniqueBeadedJewelry.com.  I just love their stuff.  Definately check them out if you are looking for a new project to get started on.

Julie.

technorati tags:shopping, retail, bead, pattern

To Die For: Beautiful Beaded Chandelier Earrings!

Aren't they just georgeous?  Best of all they are so easy to make!  Oh I think I'm in love. 

I'm off to make a set of these beaties now and then I'm off to bed so I'll catch you all tomorrow.  Have a terific day, we'll catch up soon!

Julie

Chandelier Earrings Jewelry Making Project Pg 01

technorati tags:fashion, beaded, chandelier, jewelry

Awesome beading resource: Basic techniques

Hi again,

I just found a fantastic resource on a beading magazine web site that I just couldn't wait to share with you.

Check out this link:

http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/default.aspx?c=ss&id=79

Thank you Bead and Button magazine, what an excellent beginner beading resource!

technorati tags:beginner, beading, resource, magazine

Native American Peyote Stitch Tutorial

Peyote stitch is one of several common stitch techniques used in beading. It is a complicated stitch for many beginners. To help you in developing your stich I have found the following peyote stich tutorial for you to follow.

My book will cover peyote stich in more detail and provide a few examples to develop your proficiency in the stitch. However for now this is an awesome tutorial to get you started.

I hope you enjoy!

Julie.

Peyote Stich Tutorial (pdf)

technorati tags:tutorial, stitch, native, american, peyote

Beading projects you shouldn't try at home....

Ever have one of those Monday's when you need to laugh at someone else's stupidity to make yourself feel better?

Enough said. I hope you find it funny!

Great Class Opportunity

Beading on Fabric - Monday July 24

Sorry guys, I've run out of time today.  Here's a great sounding class for those lucky enough to be in the area.

Talk soon, Julie

... Class Cost $20 - + Supplies (Available @ Beadworks) If anything, take this course to repair your beaded clothing and accessories that are sitting in a closet somewhere because they're coming apart and your afraid to use them! Beads can add just the right touch to some garments, or personalise a gift or accessory. I will show you three projects ...
Beadworks Classes

technorati tags:Beading, Class, Tutorial