I’ve been working on a spiral rope necklace today, and I noticed something about my process that I think is worth sharing. When I finish playing and finally decide what I want my pattern to be, I place the piles of beads on my mat in logical order. This helps me to bead more efficiently, and here’s why:
Little Mistakes Add Up
When bead piles are in random places all over the mat, little mistakes happen. Sometimes I’ll forget to add the core bead. If the pattern in asymmetrical, I’ll have to recheck my work to see what the order is, and then reverse it. The way that spiral rope is worked means the beads you put on last become first when you take a stitch. I’m using 15/0s, and therefore a smaller needle. So, it’s an extra pain to take off the needle, undo a mistake, re-thread, and start back up again.
Beading Efficiently
With my piles ordered logically, all I have to remember is 1-2-1-2 and bead my piles from left to right. For the example in the picture, I’ll add 1 black 11/0 for the core, 2 purple 15/0s, 1 yellow 11/0, and 2 fuchsia 15/0s for the pattern beads. I have less mistakes and it makes quick work of the project. Remember that beading isn’t a race though, it’s a journey 
Give it a Try
Check out my Spiral Rope Necklace Tutorial if you aren’t familiar with the stitch, and try it for yourself. This tip applies to all types of projects, not just this one, and I would love it if you shared your experience with us in the comments below.
What do you think? How do you arrange your bead piles when you bead? Please share with us in the comments!
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My grandma passed away on December 4, 2011, the morning after my most successful show to date. She was my biggest fan, supporter, and inspiration. She even started my beading career by giving me her beading loom when I was 12. My grandma was an amazing source of creative inspiration. She taught me to sew and cross stitch, and made sure I had access to all the craft books and craft supplies I could ever need. She gardened, cooked from scratch, made my wedding dress and all the banners and linens for her church. She often joked that she was busier in retirement than she was while working. She told everyone she knew about my business and how proud she was of me. I try not to think about how much I miss her, and instead try to think about how happy she must be to be reunited with my grandpa, who passed away the month before on November 6, 2011.
My grandpa had a huge influence on my life as well. From a young age he would take me on visits to the Texas A&M campus and tell me about what it was like when he went there. A&M was the only school I applied to and it was a dream come true to walk in his footsteps. When it came time to apply for jobs and face the real world he taught me an important life lesson: never settle. With an accounting degree in hand, he took his first job and did what was expected of him. The only problem was that he was completely miserable. He knew he was meant for something else, something more. He ended up taking down bad guys for the Treasury Department using those same accounting skills. A year out of college in my own career, I found myself in the same situation: miserable. I was trying to fit myself into a mold that wasn’t meant for me. His example helped me make the change that led me to where I am today.
I am so excited to be going to 
