Quick & Easy Beadwork

Do you ever have a hard time getting started with something? It might be something you’ve been procrastinating for a while because you know it won’t come easy. Or perhaps you realize you just don’t have the time to invest. Or maybe you’re staring at the proverbial “blank canvas” and haven’t been able to come up with a single idea. The appeal of a blank canvas is the prospect of being able to do what you want with it. However, a blank canvas can be a bit daunting. The beauty of the Quick + Easy Beadwork special issue is that you don’t have to start with a blank canvas for your next beaded project. We’ve compiled thirty-five stylish bracelet, earring, and necklace designs that are quick and easy to make!…

Former Beadwork Editor Melinda Barta paired up with Starman Inc. and the Tulip Brand Company of Hiroshima, Japan, to trace the history, art, and use of Hiroshima needles in the new book, Crafting Needle Compendium. This excerpt provides helpful tips for dealing with stuck needles, broken beads, and other tricks of the trade. Choose the right needle size Selecting the right needle size for beading is quite easy since the choices aren’t very overwhelming. Use a size 10 or 11 needle with size 11° and size 8° seed beads and a size 12 or 13 needle with size 15° seed beads. Use short “sharps” in tight spots and for bead embroidery, or if you prefer short needles. Storing and caring for needles Wipe off natural oils from your hands before…

TECHNIQUES Right-angle weave variation Peyote stitch variation See p. 110 for helpful technique information. MATERIALS 0.5 g turquoise semi-glazed size 15° seed be ads (A) 0.5 g turquoise semi-glazed size 11° seed beads (B) 1 g turquoise semi-glazed size 8° seed beads (C) 2 g matte white azuro 3.8×1mm O beads (D) 22 alabaster petrol pastel 8×5mm 2-hole DiamonDuos (E) 22 brass gold 10×3mm 3-hole AVA beads (F) 1 antiqued gold 15mm decorative toggle clasp 4 gold-plated 4mm jump rings Crystal 6 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 12 beading needle 2 pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers FINISHED SIZE 7" 1) BAND. Use a variation of right-angle weave to stitch the band: Unit 1: Add a stop bead to 5 ½ ' of thread, leaving a 12"…

KITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROJECT AT www.interweave.com TECHNIQUE Herringbone stitch variation See p. 110 for helpful technique information. MATERIALS 0.5 g matte metallic silver size 8° seed beads (A) 14 g light blue airy pearl 4mm 2-hole Es-o Mini beads (B) 7 g burgundy pastel 4mm 2-hole Es-o Mini beads (C) 7 g dark coral pastel 4mm 2-hole Es-o Mini beads (D) 1 antiqued silver 16mm toggle clasp Blue 10 lb WildFire thermally bonded beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 11 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 8" 1) BAND. Use a variation of herringbone stitch to form the band: Row 1: Add a stop bead to 4' of thread, leaving a 12" tail. String 2B, 1C, 2D, 1C, and 2B; pass back through the unused (second) hole of the last…

TECHNIQUES Tubular and circular netting See p. 110 for helpful technique information. MATERIALS 1 g salmon-lined crystal AB size 15° Japanese seed beads (A) 0.5 g dusty orchid galvanized Duracoat size 11° Japanese seed beads (B) 0.5 g higher metallic plum iris size 8° Demi Round seed beads (C) 8 crystal Capri gold 5×6mm 2-hole Nib-bit beads (D) 8 crystal Capri gold 6mm 2-hole diamond Silky beads (E) 16 rose 2XAB 3mm crystal bicones (F) 2 foil-back topaz glacier blue 12mm crystal rivolis 1 pair of copper 11×25mm kidney ear wires Crystal 8 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 11 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 2 ¼ " 1) EARRING. Use tubular and circular netting to form the earring: Round 1: Use 3' of thread to string {1D (short…

TECHNIQUES Right-angle weave variation Ladder stitch Fringe See p. 110 for helpful technique information. MATERIALS 1 g metallic bright bronze size 15° seed beads (A) 2 g metallic bright bronze size 11° seed beads (B) 1 g each size 11° seed beads in blue lagoon opaque luster, white-lined cobalt blue, red purple opaque luster, light periwinkle blue luster, white-lined dark aqua, aqua turquoise opaque luster, and opaque periwinkle blue (C) 2 g each size 10° cylinder beads in metallic bronze, matte black opaque, matte metallic brown iris, pewter, matte teal metallic iris, and metallic brown iris (D) 2 g antique copper size 8° metal seed beads (E) 1 metallic bronze 9×7mm crystal rondelle (F) Smoke 8 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 11 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 21…