Laura Graham: Beading with Passion
It’s been a little while since I brought you any new designer interviews. So, I’m very happy to be able to give you a little peek into the world of Laura Graham, a.k.a. Desert...
It’s been a little while since I brought you any new designer interviews. So, I’m very happy to be able to give you a little peek into the world of Laura Graham, a.k.a. Desert...
I hope you’re enjoying Maive’s blog series here, so far. We’ve been taking a look at what Polymer Clay is all about. Then, the tools and materials you’ll need. So, now, how about we...
In this next blog, Maive Ferrando is going to be introducing you to the essential polymer clay tools and materials. This is a great post to read if you’re thinking about getting started. Hopefully...
In this first in the series of guest blog posts by Polymer expert, Maive Ferrando, we’re going to start by looking at Polymer Clay for beginners. So, I’ll hand you over to Maive here...
Now, if you know me, you’ll know I love miniature cakes… Specifically beaded cakes! So, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I LOVE this book of Miniature Cake Creations in Polymer...
If you haven’t started on your Halloween beading projects yet, you’re going to run out of time! So, let me help you out here… I’ve chosen a selection of fabulous Halloween beading projects that...
If you’re new to beading (or even if you’re not), you might be wondering what spirit beads are. So, let me start by explaining that, then tell you why you should love, not fear...
In the last post in this section, I taught you the basic CRAW technique. Well, once you have the basics, CRAW is a fantastically flexible stitch. It doesn’t just make ropes. You can also...
This post is in response to a question from a Better Beader member. She is a relatively new beader and has been finding that when she cuts her beading thread at the end of...
Did you know you have a beading deadline approaching…? But don’t panic…I’m here to help you with the perfect beading projects to start now, in September. Then, I guarantee you’ll meet that deadline! So,...
So, we’re heading towards the end of summer. Have you been travelling during the summer months? Well, I’ve just stumbled upon a really cool beading project for anyone. Yes, you probably want to start...
I get a lot of people on here asking about how to get started in jewelry making. So, when GMC press announced publication of this book, I thought how perfect it would be for...
If you’ve arrived here, you’re probably wondering how to do Cubic Right Angle Weave. Well, in my other posts in this Learn RAW section, I’ve given you instructions within the post. Here, I want...
I’ve recently had a lot of people contacting me to request a blog about how to start designing beadwork. Well, the funny thing is, if you’re human and alive right now (if you’re reading...
What do you think I’m going to talk about when I mention French beaded flower colouring? Well, I have one specific idea to explore. How do you create French beaded flowers with patterns and...
If you’ve been following my French beading blog series, then you’re going to enjoy exploring the topic of French beaded flower arrangements. So, by now, you’ve learned how to start French beading. I’ve guided...
If you’ve been following my French beading blog series, you’ll know we’re now on to making flowers. So, today, I want to share some French beading videos that I made. These are all from...
In this part of my French beading blog series, we’re at the stage where you’re starting to learn. Now, what happens when any of us start learning something new? Things inevitably go wrong. So,...
So far in my French beading blog series, I’ve been trying to cover everything you need to know to get started. So, I’ve looked at materials, tools, techniques and how to read patterns. Now,...
If you’re following this blog series, then I did touch on French beading wire back in my first post. However, I get a lot of questions about wire. So, I thought perhaps it deserved...
Today I want to look at French beaded flower patterns. This may sound a little strange, but if you’re used to bead weaving patterns, you’re going to find French beading instructions a little different....
There are many different French beading techniques. However, they are all based around two possible ways of manipulating wire. These are: wrapping twisting In order to get the best results, it is really important...
If you’re wondering how to start French beading, then you’ve come to just the right place. I’m going to just briefly tell you what French beading is (in case you don’t already know). Then...
This might seem like a strange topic for a blog post. Surely it’s obvious how to start bead weaving? But what do I mean? Are we talking about starting in a technique, or are...
Are you someone who struggles with the Right Angle Weave thread path? If so, then you may well find two needle Right Angle Weave is the perfect solution. It may sound more complicated, but...
Following on from my Christmas in July post, I thought I’d take a specific look at some beaded Christmas ornament covers. So, why are these so popular? I think that’s easy – they’re simple...
Well, there’s no denying that Christmas in July has become a worldwide phenomenon. It’s a lovely idea. Christmas is irrevocably linked with winter. Now, living in the Northern Hemisphere, I tend to take that...
I was going to start by asking you a question, but since you’re reading this post, I’m guessing you’re wondering what is PRAW? So, it would be a bit pointless for me to start...
Do you know how to get good tension in Right Angle Weave (RAW)? How about what constitutes good beading tension in this stitch? Well, if you said ‘no’, or you’re just not sure, then...
Who doesn’t like Peyote stitch flower patterns? I’ll bet there’s not many of you who have put your hands up to that! So, whether you’re looking for some new inspiration, or seeking your first...
In this blog section, I want to help those of you find out all about the different types of bead we have available today. So, I’m going to take a look at Halo beads....
I can hear the groans as I type this. More new beads??!!! Well, yes. But I think you might actually want to investigate the Tubelet beads if you enjoy working with traditional seed beads....
The lovely thing about learning more than one beading technique is it gives you more options. So, in this post, I want to look at joining Peyote stitch and Right Angle Weave (RAW). I’m...
If you are a collector of beading books, then Melissa Shippee’s new title, ‘Beautiful Beadwork from Nature’ is definitely one you’ll want! This is a lovely hardback collection of stunning jewellery designs. And, as...
So, what is Modified Right Angle Weave (MRAW)? Why would you need to know about it? And how do you learn it? These are the questions I’m going to be answering here for you...
Do you worry about whether your beading tension is right? Or do you know that you struggle with it? Well, I have one simple trick you can use to improve your beading tension from...
Once you have mastered basic, flat Right Angle Weave, you have a few logical ‘next steps’. One of these is to learn how to do tubular Right Angle Weave. So, this would give you...
So, you’re thinking about ways for selling more beading tutorials. Maybe you’ve been selling for a while. Or maybe you’re just thinking about starting up. Now, I’ve been doing this over ten years. So,...
Finishing old threads and weaving in new ones has to be one of the most tedious parts of any beading project. Now, there are loads of different ways you can do this. So, I...
What are end caps? Have you ever used them? Do you know how and when you should use them? Well, if you need help with any of those questions, this is the place to...
Do you struggle to find the right clasp to add a professional finish to your beaded cuffs or earrings? Well, have you seen the Toobs range of findings? No? Then, let me tell you...
Have you heard of the new Durathread beading thread? Have you tried it yet? If you have, then you’ve probably got your own answer to that question. But if you haven’t heard of it,...
This might be the most important beading blog you ever read. I’m about to share the golden rule of beading (in my opinion). So, if you’re getting bogged down in techniques and terminology and...
Now, I’m going to be up-front here. The dryer sheet hack isn’t my invention! It’s a clever little trick I’ve heard a lot of beaders using. In fact, this post is really two clever...
I’m thrilled to be able to bring you this lovely interview with beading designer, Gerlinde Lenz. If this is a name you’re not familiar with, you might know some of the stitches she has...
What on earth are Nib Bit beads? This post is going to give you the answer, plus some links to Nib bit beading patterns and places to buy Nib bit beads. So, read on…...
Now, there’s a thorny topic: how to price a beading pattern… If you’ve ever purchased any patterns, you’ll know that the price you pay can vary from nothing to maybe $30. So, how would...
If you’re wondering how to learn Diamond Weave, the answer is very simple… Grab a copy of this book! So, what more is there to say? Why am I writing a section about learning...
I get a lot of people asking me how to make beaded boxes. It’s almost as if they think there is a ‘special’ technique that you need to learn. Well, I’m happy to say...
I’ve been giving you a few introductory blogs to set you up to learn RAW. So, now it’s time to get going… Here is your complete guide to basic Right Angle Weave (RAW). If...