Bead Wish List: Picasso

Every beader has their favorite supplies, techniques, and colors. Often, the beads that we like the most are those that help to define our style, and what beading means to us. Although a girl who loves bicone crystals is in many ways a totally different beader than the one who loves Lucite flowers, we are all connected by our craft, and can appreciate these little quirks that separate us. Our tastes and palettes are as unique as we are.

One of my all time favorite bead finishes is Picasso, especially on faceted or cut beads. I love the earthy quality they have, the subtle elegance, and the way the colors seem more vibrant under the Picasso blush. They’re awfully rugged and rustic for something so pretty. Today I felt like doing a little window shopping, with nothing but Picasso on the list.

Hyacinth Picasso Table Cut Rectangles
From MK Supplies





Picasso Jasper Faceted Rounds
From AuntiesBeads.com





TOHO Hybrid Seed Beads in Jet Picasso
From Artbeads.com





Turquoise Picasso Fluted Firepolish
From FusionBeads.com





Aqua Picasso Chunky Ovals
From Mountain Shadow Design





Siam Ruby Firepolish Rondelles
From LimaBeads.com





Yellow Picasso Table Cut Squares
From Happy Mango Beads





Cobalt Blue Teardrop Window Beads
From Beadaholique





Old World Picasso Mix Seed Beads
From Beads-and-Babble





Dew Drop Blue Faceted Rondelles
From Bobbi’s This n That

Do you like Picasso finish beads? What’s your favorite shape and color?

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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Nutty Valentine Necklace

Every time I start a new beading challenge, I am surprised by just how much inspiration having a goal can provide. Now that I’m looking at old beads in a new way, I have more ideas than I know what to do with. I can barely keep up or decide which project to tackle first!

For my second destash challenge design, I looked to some beads that have been very dear, even though I’ve only used them once. Way back in 2009, I purchased some heart-shaped nut pendants that were so pretty, I couldn’t wait to use them. When I finally had the time to work with them, I was eager to create, and the green lariat that I designed for them turned out fabulous. It’s still one of my all time favorite pieces.

I suppose that I was unsure how I could possibly make another design with the remaining nut beads that could top the lariat, so I’ve been ignoring them ever since. When I added them to my tray of destash beads, I was a little nervous. Would I end up making just another variation of a spiral lariat with them? Then it occurred to me that with Valentine’s Day coming up, I could use them now, and pair them with red. And there just happened to be some fantastic red beads in the to-use list.

I gathered up some Czech glass rings in frosted cherry, and the last of my red velvet Angelic crystal rondelles. To help balance the natural finish of the nut bead, I added a few parched desert wood beads, and some dark topaz seed beads. A dash of shiny jet black would bring everything together just right.

Rather than stitch my usual Y pendant all in one piece, I used one of the glass rings as an anchor for three separate chains. Because I had already selected so many accent beads, I couldn’t add any druks, so I used seed bead daisies to strengthen the beadwork instead.

I had no idea that these forgotten beads could inspire so many new approaches to a favorite design. I was happy to find that the palette looks just as good in the finished pieces as it did on the drawing board.



Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
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Beading Tutorial: Potawatomi Daisy Chain

This week we talked a bit about beading origins, and the cultures that influence our beadwork. If you draw some of your beading roots from Native American artwork, or Bohemianism, then you’ll want to add Potawatomi weave to your repertoire. This simple yet sturdy stitch contains a pattern that can be adapted to look just like a neat little row of daisies, and once you get it started, the steps are simple to remember. To get a traditional looking daisy chain, use a basic palette of opaque seed beads, or better yet, love beads.

To get the hang of this stitch, it can help to split your perception of the pattern three ways: the daisies, with a row of ‘leaves’ between each; a repeating pattern of 2- and 3-bead rows; and the actual thread path, which is also worked in a repeating 2-3 pattern. It sounds more complicated than it actually is - all you have to do is remember the correct sequence of bead colors to make the daisy pattern come through.

You’ll need at least 3 seed bead colors - for the petals, leaves, and pollen.

To weave a Potawatomi daisy chain:

Pick up 4 petal beads, and 1 pollen bead. Leaving a tail of 6 inches or more, stitch back through the first bead again, moving towards the tail thread. Pull snug to form a cluster of beads.

Pick up 2 petal beads, and stitch down through the last petal bead picked up in the first step. Pull snug, and you should have a tiny daisy!

To continue, pick up 1 leaf, 1 petal, and 1 leaf colored bead. Stitch up through the second petal bead picked up in the previous step - the one just above the bead your thread is exiting.

Pick up 1 leaf and 1 petal bead, and stitch down through the petal bead picked up in the previous step. Pull snug after each stitch, but don’t worry if the flowers don’t look perfect right away. With each new stitch, the previous row will get stronger and more even.

Pick up 2 petal and 1 pollen bead. Stitch up through the top petal bead in the work.

Pick up 2 petal beads, and stitch down through the second petal bead from the previous step, just below the pollen bead.

You'll see that once the first flower you stitch is complete, all of the steps will repeat with 2 and 3 beads picked up in each stitch, in the following pattern:

1 leaf, 1 petal, 1 leaf
1 leaf, 1 petal
2 petal, 1 pollen
2 petals
Repeat

Although Potawatomi stitch is a little more complex than the daisy chain we learn at summer camp, the results are worth it. The chain is sturdier, and the flowers are easier to distinguish with their leafy borders. Of course, you can skip the flower pattern and make a solid or striped chain as well! And, if you have a little time before Valentine’s day, you can combine two patterned chains to make a row of tiny hearts.

Happy beading!

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
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Book Spotlight: The Art of Beadwork

For many beaders, learning about the history of beads is just as exciting as learning to create with them. Thanks to Valerie Hector, we can do both at the same time. In The Art of Beadwork, readers are guided through a journey of beading around the world, and throughout history. Each chapter explores a different region, from Japan, to Kenya, to Peru, and everywhere in between.

An introduction to early beadwork and the progression of bead manufacturing provides a look at the scope of this great art form, including rarely seen photographs of Ancient Egyptian beadwork done in peyote and netting with tiny faience beads. Then, a primer on modern beadwork tools and techniques shows readers how to get started in the medium before taking a look at all of the historical and cultural influences in modern beadwork.

For each country and region, Valerie provides an in depth look at the styles of beadwork, the common materials and techniques, and their significance. Photographs of antique and modern beadwork designs give readers an idea of how each society’s style has been carried on to today’s designs. Every chapter finishes with a tutorial on how to create one of the example projects, such as Indonesian inspired hair sticks, and a scalloped netting scarf inspired by Nelson Mandela’s Mfengu collar.

The information and tutorials alone make The Art of Beadworka must read for the serious beader, but the gorgeous color photographs on every page are a delight in themselves. There are a wide variety of jewelry styles and works of beaded art from around the world, and renowned artists like: David K. Chatt, creator of right angle weave; Laura Shea, inventor of the Eureka Bead technique; Virginia Blakelock, creator of Cellini spiral; and Karen Paust, the sculptural peyote genius.

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
Valerie Hector and Watson-Guptill Publications
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Poster Sketch: African Metal

I have consulted my crystal ball* and we have a winner! Congratulations to Pixiloo of A Work in Progress, who has won a fun selection of tribal beads. Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

This month, I asked what your favorite cultural influences are. With so many beading techniques from all around the world, it's not surprising that your answers were so varied and unique. Pixiloo says that one of her favorite inspirations is African metal beads.

Not only are these beauties the ultimate in upcycling, but they have a gorgeous rustic quality to them, with an underlying nobility. I had a look around for some examples of African metal beads, and found a these delightful designs:

Happy beading!

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
* Random.org
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