I know many of my readers are intermediate to advanced beaders, but I want to have some more posts on the basics so we can corrupt invite beginners into our community and help them get started.

1. Project Box- Helps keep you organized and its portable if you want to take your projects with you. I prefer Snap ‘N Stack.
2. Beads- Many basic projects can be completed using only size 11 seed beads. I have several free projects using a variety of beads that are suitable for beginners.
3. Needles- Most of mine are size 10 or 12, and I’m not too picky on the brand. Size 12 has a bigger eye, and a good size to start with. I forgot to mention Tulip needles, which are stronger and don’t bend as easily. Those are great if you use them before you lose them.
4. Thread- experiment and figure out what you like best. I prefer One G or K.O. but many beaders I know like Fireline. It’s a fishing line that is carried at sporting good stores and bead shops. I think 6lb clear would be a good choice to start with.
5. Scissors- Sharp scissors are essential for thread, but grab a pair of cheap, kid-friendly scissors for Fireline.
6. Scoop- I was beading for years and years before I discovered this! Really does make clean up a snap.
7. Pen- For writing notes on your instructions, or sketches for ideas. I always have sticky notes or a sketch pad around, but any napkin will do. To make your own beaded pen like in the video, sign up for my email newsletter, and download the free Beaded pens eBook.
8. Bead Mat- I use to put my beads in little dishes, but the bead mat keeps them from rolling all over the place. The case I referred to in the video is called a Design Save ‘N Go and you can check out my review on them here.
9. Good Lighting- Essential to reduce eye strain and keep you beading longer and more comfortably. I love my Ott light! When you are choosing beads for your project, you want to look at them in good light to really see if you like how the colors play together.

Aside from the Ott light and the projects box, I can find everything at my local bead store. I would encourage you to choose your LBS first because they can also share their wealth of knowledge as you learn.

What do you think? What do you think of my list? Is there anything you would add? Please share with us in the comments below. I read and appreciate each one!

Wow, I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m baring my soul and showing you footage of my studio as it really is!

I’m sharing this because its a natural expression of who I really am: a creative soul that moves from one project to the next like whirlwind, and shoves things out of the way haphazardly for the next new project. I’ve come to realize how much more creative and productive I can be if I placed limits on my whirlwind. If I let my materials surround and inspire me, and if I could find the beads before the idea floats away.

So, I invite you to follow along on this journey with me, and even pick up a few organization tips along the way. Thanks to Elizabeth for inspiring me to live my truth!

Giveaway Winner

Congrats to Jo! She is the winner of the Seed Bead Fusion Giveaway from last week. Look for my email, Jo. Thanks to everyone who shared a story!

Today, I am reviewing Seed Bead Fusion by Rachel Nelson-Smith. I have been wanting this book for awhile, and it showed up in my mailbox! Turns out Interweave Press sent it to Sister Diane, who knew it would be perfect for me and my blog. I won’t lie, it was hard not to keep it for myself! Giveaway details are below.

In addition to the stellar projects, here are 3 more reasons why Seed Bead Fusion should make it into your beadweaving library:

• Rachel shares the story behind how she came up with each design.
• The designs are shown in multiple colorways to help you choose your own palette.
• The instructions are shown with graphics AND photos. The graphics show the thread paths, and the photos show what it should look like at each stage and exactly where the needle goes. I enjoy having both.

I also love that Jean Campbell is the editor, and that the beading basics stuff is in the back. That way you get straight to the good stuff. Of the 18 projects, there are 5 that are not beadweaving. Even if you’re not into working with wire, this book is totally worth it!

Giveaway Details:

To enter to win, leave a comment below and share your favorite beading experience with us. Be sure to fill out the email box when you comment so I can contact you. A winner will be chosen at random next Friday May 28, 2010. Good luck!

The Spring Bash presented by Etsy Dallas is this weekend! I will be teaching a FREE project: the daisy chain bracelet. All supplies are provided as well, so come bead with us!

In honor of the Spring Bash, I’m offering a $10 Beaded Pen Class at Artful Bead in Carrollton, TX

Class Times:
Monday, May 17, 2010 from 4:30-6p
Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 2:30-4p

Supplies to bring:

• 2-5 colors of size 11/0 delicas
• beading needle
• beading thread

I provide the pens and full color instructions. Class size is limited to 6 people per class, so please call or stop by Artful Bead and register today!

In this video, I show you how to make an easy loom bracelet. It’s easy because you don’t have to weave in the warp threads! You just braid them together so you can tie it around your wrist.

Supplies:

• loom
• beading thread
• beading needle
• size 11/0 beads
• crochet thread (black recedes into the design)
• beading mat
• design (planned out on graph paper)
• scissors

UPDATE: Debra and I discussed crochet thread sizes over email. I learned that a small number is a big thread a big number is a small thread, just like beads! Her guess is that the thread I’m using is around size 30. Thanks Debra!

1. Warp your loom with an arm’s length of crochet thread. You will have one more warp than you have beads in the width of your pattern. Use “soft” knots, hold the thread onto the loom. You will take these knots out when you take your bracelet off the loom.

2. Tie your working thread to the first warp, and string on your first row of beads. Move your needle under the warps, and pull your thread through popping each bead into it’s “home” between the warps. Hold them there with your index finger. Go back through all the beads, but needle your working thread on top of the warp threads. With one thread under and one over the warps, the beads stay in place.

3. Reinforce the first several rows by going through each, and tie slipknots on the outside warp threads so they are completely secure. Weave back down to where you left off. Keep beading until the desired length of your bracelet is complete. Reinforce the last few rows.

4. Cut the working thread ends from your bracelet. Take the bracelet off the loom and undo the soft knots. Trim the warps to a manageable length for braiding. Start at one end, divide the warps into 3 sections and start braiding. Tie an over hand knot when you have reached the desired length. Trim the remaining warp threads, then repeat on the other side.

5. Tie it around your wrist, and show it off. Then, make a few for all your friends!

What do you think? Do you like the thought of braiding the warps instead of weaving them back in? What kind of designs are you planning? Please let us know in the comments!

In this video, I show a tip for threading your beading needles more easily. The trick is to bring the needle to the thread instead of trying to put the thread through the eye of the needle.

I mostly want you to see how I hold the materials in my hands. Left hand: I really pinch the bit of thread between my thumb and index finger to where only a tiny bit is showing. Right hand: I roll the needle between my thumb and index finger until the eye is in the East-West position. My forearms are braced on the table, and my hands are supporting each other to minimize shaking. Then, I just slide the needle onto the thread.

This method works so well for me that I can do it in a moving car on the first try!

What do you think? Does this method work for you? Have you developed your own way to thread a needle? Please share with us in the comments!