Daniel Millions asked:


Handcrafted beaded jewelry is jewelry that is handmade using beads and a material to hold the beads together. The handcrafted beaded jewelry includes rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, belts, anklets, pendants, children’s jewelry, bridal jewelry sets and other jewelry sets. The beads found in beaded jewelry can be manufactured from a variety of materials.

The beads that are used to make the jewelry may be glass, crystal, wooden, ceramic, metal, pearl or stone. There are bead artists who create customized beads from different materials. It is possible to create birthstone jewelry with beads since precious and semi-precious stones are used to make beads. One piece of jewelry may have different varieties and sizes of beads used in its creation. For instance, a southwestern style necklace may have different sized silver, turquoise and coral beads on its strands.

Depending on the pattern or instructions that are used to make beaded jewelry, the jewelry item may have been woven. When handcrafted beaded jewelry is woven, the bead artist is able to create pictures on the item. A woven bracelet may have a depiction of roses against a leafy background on it or any other picture that is desired by the artist or customer. A bead artist can be very creative with woven jewelry in a similar way as the quilter or painter. It is possible to weave beads into different shapes that will suit the purpose of the ornament.

In that case, needles and a strong beading thread are used to weave the beads by hand or with a loom. The result will be a flat piece of beadwork. The flat beadwork is versatile and can be as tiny or large as the bead artist desires. If a small rectangular piece has two edges sewn together, it can be used to form a small bag as a pendant. A long woven piece of beadwork may be left flat to serve as a belt. If the two long edges are sewn together, the result is a beaded pipe form that can be used to create handsome necklaces or bracelets.

Thin wire can be used to create jewelry instead of the needle and thread. When wire is used for stringing beads, the jewelry is sturdier than the threaded beads. There is less room for creativity with the wired beads since they can only be strung on the wire but the simplicity of manufacture does not lessen the beauty of finely made beaded jewelry.

Handcrafted beaded jewelry is valued for its elegance and the hard work that goes into their manufacture. Bead artists need good eyesight, a steady hand and patience to create their jewelry. The many hours that a bead artist needs to create their jewelry are appreciated by anyone who has ever tried to use beads to make jewelry.

Many handcrafted items of beaded jewelry are one of a kind pieces that will not be duplicated again. Many collectors of handcrafted beaded jewelry can enjoy their jewelry decades after their purchase since the handcrafted beauty of the jewelry never goes out of style.



Lisa

Marcel Vigh asked:


Three or four years ago, I was a bead fanatic. I loved beading and I made bead animals all the time. After I had completed more than hundred bead animals and creatures, I gave it up. I got bored with. A few weeks ago, it came to my mind and I decided to start beading again. After I’ve made some animals, I noticed that I still love beading.

It’s just fantastic!

So, let’s get started!

First, you’ll need:



beads

wire (or nylon fishing line)

pattern

By the way, what do you use, wire or nylon fishing line? Formerly, I used fishing line, because I found it easier to use. And it’s easier to use indeed, because its end won’t kink. However, it has no definite shape. The animal won’t stand on its feet. The wired animals will stand. You can bend them as you like. And it’s a great advantage! So, I would suggest the wire, but very thin wire.

Important

if you’re making an animal that has to be round, 3D or plump (like a penguin), always use nylon fishing line, because the wire will be almost completely flat.

I have a good example to prove this:

Once, I decided to make a bead owl, which was rounded on the example picture.

After I finished it (using wire), it looked like a bat and not an owl. It was completely flat.

I was very angry and I scolded the book. Later, I read the text beside the owl which said, that use nylon fishing line.

The next day, I made the owl again, using nylon fishing line. When I finished, it looked like exactly on the picture. It was fully round.

So, use fishing line for rounded and 3D animals.

And what about beads? I’ve been using seed (small) beads for the body of the animals since I started beading. There are also long beads (I don’t know the proper name), use them for wings and sometimes for legs.

Seed Beads:

These are the basic beads that we use for beading. They usually make up the body of an animal. Nowadays, you can buy them in whatever color, size and shape you want. I use quiet small (I don’t know the exact size) and round seed beads.

Bigger Beads:

These are much bigger than the seed beads. I usually use them for the eyes of an animal. However, use them whenever you want to highlight something.

Long Beads:

The size of the long beads is between the seed beads and the ‘bigger beads’. I use them for wings, legs and sometimes for some other parts of the animal’s body.

So, in the next part, I’m going to write about the basic beading techniques.

To learn more about it click here!

For other kid craft ideas visit: Marcel’s Kid Crafts.com



Holly