Spirit Beads: why you should love them!
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...
Category: Basic Beading Techniques
In this section, I will introduce you to some of the basic beading techniques and skills you’re going to need.
This includes simple techniques that don’t really fit into the bead-weaving stitches. You also get help with basic skills like setting up your beading space, threading a needle and finishing off threads.
This is quite a broad category, with some overlap with the jewellery making section. So, you may see some shared posts here. For example, you would need to find out how to add a clasp if you are making any kind of jewellery. So, I have included that kind of information here as well as in the jewellery making section.
There is an awful lot that I could cover in the basic beading techniques section, so please check back often to see the new posts.
As with all the information on this website, I am still adding things. So, if you can’t find the answer to your question, please follow this link and use the form to ask me what you need to know. I can then prioritise that information for a future blog post.
If you are also signed up to my mailing list, then you can be sure that you won’t miss out on anything as I add it. So, if you’re not already a member, click here to join the Better Beader mailing list and receive your free welcome gift today.
Now, I’ll leave you to have a browse through the information here. Hopefully that will offer you some useful advice and help.
Joining Fireline Beading Thread
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...
How to use jump rings in jewelry making
Have you got questions about how to use jump rings in jewelry making? One of my ‘Become a Better Beader’ members does. So, I’m guessing she’s not the only one! Now, you can use...
Working with wire: getting great results wrapping and twisting
My own personal experience of working with wire is mostly for French beading. However, the secrets I am about to share with you are also applicable to other types of wirework. So, even if...
Free French Beading Tools: do you know about them?
If you’re reading this because you already love French beading, then you probably know about the basic tools. But, did you know there is a whole set of free French beading tools? I use...
How to Follow a Peyote Stitch Chart
Have you been mystified by a beading pattern in which you needed to follow a Peyote stitch chart? Do you even know what a Peyote stitch chart is? If you answered ‘no’ and ‘yes’...
How to get good beading tension
How to get good beading tension is a question that often comes up in my classes. I am constantly thinking about how to help people improve. My thoughts led me to consider how different...
Starting Tubular Peyote
I came up with this idea after watching so many people struggle with starting Tubular Peyote. If you have ever tried this, you will understand what I mean. If you haven’t, then I do...
Beaded Spiral Rope Variations
One of the first beading techniques I learned was one of the beaded spiral rope variations, known as a Spiral Staircase. Since then, I have learned a lot more different types of beaded spiral...
Beading Patterns: 3 Handy Hints
What are beading patterns? This may sound like a blindingly obvious question, so I hope the answer won’t surprise you. Beading patterns are the instructions for making a project using beads. This could be...
How to finish beading thread: 2 options
As my beading has evolved, I’ve found new ways to end beading thread. I have also experimented with different types of beading thread and have found that different threads sometimes need different ways of...
Beading Terms Defined
Beading patterns can be a little confusing if you are a complete novice. Like any other craft, beading has its own language and terminology that might seem strange when you start out. Here I’ve...
How to thread a needle
How to thread a needle? …It sounds like a pretty simple task, that is, unless you’ve ever tried it! This post looks specifically at beading needles, but the advice it offers on how to...
How do I add a Clasp?
Whenever you make a piece of jewellery, you will need to decide how to fasten it. This usually means using a clasp of some variety. Once you have decided which clasp you are going...
