Just when they though that beading couldn’t get any more fun, out come these amazing little building blocks of color and glass. There are plenty of different shapes to choose from, and new ones are being created all the time. I, for one, can’t wait to try out the new Tila seed beads.
One of the most interesting members of the shaped seed family is the hex-cut. These beauties would make any bee homesick, with their perfect hexagonal shape, and they can certainly bring out the magpie in any beader.
Hex-cuts are great for flat stitches, and can help make learning peyote stitch easy because of the way they lock together with perfect symmetry. Because they have six sides for light to play off, their sparkle is tough to beat.
For today’s necklace design, I played a bit with hex-cuts to see how they worked without the help of round seed beads. After a little brainstorming, I came up with a fun design that uses mostly hexes. The only reason I needed round seed beads at all was to top of the St. Petersburg stitches, and I wanted smooth edges for that.
I’m usually not a fan of amulet bags, although there are some amazing graphic patterns out there for them. I do like how this necklace resembles that style, but still has the delicate qualities of a simple pendant. The combination of blue, aqua and white, with the shapes of the beads reminds me of a spa, or Roman bath.
How do you like to use hex-cuts?
Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading
I've never used the hex beads and I actually have some in my stash I bought in Florida!! hmmmm Now to put them to some use. I would never had thought of using them for peyote! Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog...it is beyond inspirational! It's a feast for the eyes =) I love using hex beads in my bead crochet spirals. The interlocking of the hex beads creates a very sparkly and fun textural design. I haven't thought of using them for other stitches, but now I will!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you both, I'm glad you're enjoying the tips!
ReplyDeleteOne of the techniques I love to see using hex-cuts is free-form peyote or brick stitch, though I've never brave enough to try it myself. They make a nice transition bead between round seed bead sizes.