The BIG Bead Embroidery Handbook

Let’s refresh and deepen your knowledge about TOOLS – this blog post leads you through every tool and hints I use!

These are the basic I use:

• 10/0 Tulip bead embroidery needle
• Fireline
• Ruler
• Ultra Suede – foundation/backing
• Vlieseline – fusible fleece
• Toho One-G thread
• Wooden embroidery hoop

We added a few extra items – a filigree, rhinestone cupchain and round art cabochon so you can have your Bead Embroidery Starter kit you can take anywhere with you!

THE TRAVELLER

In May 2020 I was the guest teacher in the Facebook group Seed beads and more.  I chose ‘The Traveller’ project to walk beaders through all the tricks and tips I knew at that time. My original Travellers feature coins from different countries I visited. When I wear them, I get reminded of the friendly faces I’ve met, the beautiful places I was lucky to see, and the adventures I’ve had, together with some of the most important people in my life.

This is the basic, round shape, that is ideal if you’re new to bead embroidery. You can use a flat round art cabochon instead the coin, pressed glass cabochon, etc.

Watch ALL the video tutorials and download PDF files to bead your first motif! These will guide you step by step through the creative process.

CREATIVE bead embroidery

What is the next step after you tried your first Traveller pendant, or mastered basics?  ‘Creative bead embroidery’ video series takes you further on that road. After some warming-up exercises, I will show you new ways of creating bead embroidered jewels. I will walk you through three specific jewels, but besides giving you exact step-by-step guides I will give you knowledge that can be applied to your very own taste, skill set, and material that you have on hand.

Bloom bracelet – include beadweaving and filigrees in embroidery.

Arabesque Garden – use of filigrees as part of your design.

Moonlight Sonata – work with different shapes.

MORE bead embroidery tutorials

These tutorials are showing variations on bezelling different cabochon shapes, incluing filigrees or working with the Ultra Suede. The links will lead you to Beadingschool YouTube channel or to photo tutorial.

Tribute ring – with a teardrop cabochon.

Lady Lily – using flower-shaped beads.

Romance – filigree and colorful foundation.

Mirror of the Maharaja – statement cuff and work with leather foundation.

Colorful raindrops – large, lightweight earrings tutorial and best practice by Zuzi.

Midnight Sky Cuff  – for showing a beautiful leather.

Genlis Brooch – including cabochons in claw setting and  a beadvowen motif in your embroidery.

Dragonfly Dance – tutorial for trapezoid shape cabochon.

Changing colors  – tutorial showing how to use Ultra Suede in layers.

Beaded buddies – inspiration blog post on how to make a little beaded buddy.

Love is all we need – heart-shaped brooch tutorial with a layered edge from bugle beads. You can alternate the cabochon with using 27mm heart cabochon in metal claw setting.

Gardens of Maharaja – tutorial to show how to fuse crescent shaped filigree and cabochon.

….AND MORE bead embroidery tutorials

Yes, there is A LOT more… These tutorials are more complex and provide deeper knowledge. They are more precise in the beadcount and proportions as they blend the bead embroidery stitches with beadweaving.

Janis J – pendant with a decorated tassel that can be used also as a separate jewel (earring).

Sashiko – delicate, bead embroidered pendant where you can use 24-26mm cabochon and 2 mm round pearls.

Chandr Devee and the inspiration behind the statement necklace.