What is a bail in beading or jewelry-making?
I’m here today to answer one of your questions: what is a bail? Now, this is a beading website, so we’ll be talking about the kind of bail you would come across in beading...
Category: Design Tips
I get a lot of people asking me about how to start designing their own beadwork and jewellery. Now, it’s hard to explain this, without saying, ‘just sit down and do it’! But I can give you some design tips to help you with a framework.
So, that is what this section of the website is all about.
These articles share design tips that I’ve learned from experience. I don’t have any formal design training. But I have made time to read about design in all sorts of contexts.
So, design for interiors, or design in art or photography, all have lessons we can learn. Basically, there are certain design concepts that always apply. I’m thinking of things like balance. Or perhaps knowing how to take your viewer on a journey.
There may also be some design tools that you will find useful. So, I have written about those here too.
Now, if you are looking for some sort of structure, these ‘rules’ might give you a starting point. But you don’t have to study design in order to create. I prefer to encourage people to explore. The real pleasure of creating your own work comes from finding the freedom to express yourself. So, you shouldn’t feel the need to be bound by rules.
These are some of the ideas that you will see coming through from me. I invite you to have a browse through these articles and take whatever helps you.
If you have a specific question that I haven’t answered, click here to ask and I will write a blog about the topic.
Don’t forget to join the mailing list so you don’t miss out on any new posts or answers to your questions.
How To Design Beading Patterns
Have you ever had an idea for a beading project? Then, you sat down and found yourself staring at your beads? Or maybe staring at a blank piece of paper? Probably, your next thought...
Why seed bead brands matter
When I started beading, I had no idea that there was any difference between beads. I noticed that some shops stocked seed beads called ‘Miyuki seed beads’. Others mentioned ‘Matsuno seed beads’, or TOHO...
The best beading thread for transparent seed beads
If you have any experience with choosing bead colors, you may have discovered one thing… Your beading thread changes the color of your beads. Seriously. Now, this is the case with pretty much all...
Bead colors: do they matter?
Bead colors – how much do they matter in a design? Well, believe it or not, the coloring you use can literally make or break a design. I’ve been spending a lot of time...
The Dangers of Choosing Bead Colors From Charts
Now, this is not a ‘new’ topic. In fact, it is an issue that has frequently caused controversy in the beading world. But it’s an important issue to discuss from the perspective of design....
What are color values in beading?
So, you’re a beader? And I’m guessing you’re here because you want to know more about choosing bead colors (successfully). Well, one of the biggest areas you need to be aware of is color...
What is BeadTool4?
Good question: what is BeadTool4? If you’re a designer, you may know. Even if you don’t design and sell tutorials, this could really help your beading. So, what’s it all about? What is BeadTool4?...
How to choose bead colours
How to choose bead colours is my online class that will solve your beading colour problems. Now, an awful lot of beaders struggle with colour. So, if this is you, you’re not alone. But...
How to draw beading diagrams
Do you need to learn how to draw beading diagrams? Then, I’ve got the perfect solution for you, right here. If you don’t want to hang around reading an article, then you can use...
Finding Bead Colors That Look Good Together
Do you have trouble finding bead colors that look good together? Are you one of those beaders who feels like their finished pieces always seem to have color clashes? Well, if you said ‘yes’,...
How to get over beaders block
Have you ever had a spell where your beads just lose their appeal? You pick up tutorials, but can’t seem to find the will to get started. Your beading mat seems to be calling,...
Best Festive Colour Schemes
Are you someone who feels like you struggle to come up with colour schemes for beading? Well, let me ask you this: how do you do with festive colours? Do, you have a scheme...
Cool Beading Project for Literally Anyone!
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...
Designing beadwork is a metaphor for life!
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...
How to size a bracelet
Does your jewellery making repertoire include bracelets? If you said ‘yes’, then you need to read this. Sizing bracelets is never as easy as you might think. So, in this article, I am going...
Using Pinterest for Beading: 3 Top Tips
When I started using Pinterest, I never realised how critical it would become for my beading. I work a lot as a designer and Pinterest is a brilliant tool for helping me there. However,...
How to Design Beaded Flowers: Five Easy Rules
In case you don’t already know me, I have been designing and making French beaded flowers for 15 years. I have recently published my second book on the subject, so I thought it was...
Buying Seed Beads
With an overwhelming number of types and colours of seed beads on the market today, it can be really confusing when you set out to a bead shop or bead fair. However intent I...
Beading Competitions: Four Top Tips
Beading competitions range in size and format from events run at your local bead shop or by your local beading group to huge international competitions that will attract top designers. I’ve been thinking a...
How to sketch a beading design if you can’t draw
‘How do you sketch a beading design?’ is a question I’ve often been asked. Well, it’s confession time…I don’t think I’m very good at drawing. Lots of people say that and mostly it’s really...
What is a beadwork design?
What is a beadwork design? This is my personal definition of the beadwork design process. It’s how you translate an idea in your mind into a physical object made from beads, including documentation of...
