Bead Embroidery book by Sherri Serafini check out her site for her kits and gallery of work www.serafinibeadedjewelry.com
Bead Embroidery book by Heidi Kummli that has 13 beautiful projects and looks at totem animals,colour,the elements and healing gemstones that match them. Check out her site www.freespiritcollection.com
I love bead embroidery, it is the technique I use for all my beadwork. It allows me to "Paint" with beads to create any image I want. Different sizes of beads can be used from the standard size 11 used in most beadwork to the tiny size 15 and antique size 20 to 24 which is almost like glitter! they are so small.
Many people ask me "How do you do that" It is time consuming and does require patience but is easy to learn and made up of a few basic stitches.
Above is a video of bead artist Sherri Serafini demonstrating how she made one of her cuff bracelets,the techniques she shows are in more detail in her book (shown above) and is used to make all her gorgeous earrings,cuffs,neckpieces,necklaces and bags.
There are also many beautiful books on creating gorgeous,detailed bead embroidered jewellery and art which incorporates not just seed beads, but swarovkski crystal bicone beads,freshwater pearls,found objects,cabouchons and much more. Once you try it you will be addicted and want to create loads of your own sparkly,colourful pieces.
Bead Embroidery Books
My favorite bead artists Sherri Serafini who has created beadwork for the band AeroSmith and makes the most amazing collars,necklaces and bags. She is also co-author of "The Art of Bead embroidery" which has many techniques,stitches and amazing projects.
The other book is "The Spirit of Bead Embroidery" by Heidi Kummli which looks at totem animals,their symbolisim,the gemstones and their healing properties associated with various animals,elements and colours and how to incorporate this into healing,energising and inspiring beadwork as well as 13 gorgeous projects ranging from simple rings to very detailed neck collars. Both these books are great for beginners.
I would also highly recommend Sherri Serafini's solo book "
Bead Embroidery stitches
The stitch I favor and use the most is Couching Stitch. The needle is threaded and brought through to the front of the fabric (felt/pellon interfacing heavyweight/ultrasuede or lacys stiff stuff or Nicoles Bead backing) beads are then strung on the needle is brought down into the fabric. Then go 3-4 beads down and bring the needle up in between the space between beads and sew over the gap, continue down the bead strand every3-4 beads to attach it down onto the fabric.
Go here for a youtube video showing the technique as well as other bead embroidery stitches and beautiful examples of bead embroidery.
Beads East have a wealth of videos on different beading techniques and many kits and materials for you to create your own work.
Many people ask me "How do you do that" It is time consuming and does require patience but is easy to learn and made up of a few basic stitches.
Above is a video of bead artist Sherri Serafini demonstrating how she made one of her cuff bracelets,the techniques she shows are in more detail in her book (shown above) and is used to make all her gorgeous earrings,cuffs,neckpieces,necklaces and bags.
There are also many beautiful books on creating gorgeous,detailed bead embroidered jewellery and art which incorporates not just seed beads, but swarovkski crystal bicone beads,freshwater pearls,found objects,cabouchons and much more. Once you try it you will be addicted and want to create loads of your own sparkly,colourful pieces.
Bead Embroidery Books
My favorite bead artists Sherri Serafini who has created beadwork for the band AeroSmith and makes the most amazing collars,necklaces and bags. She is also co-author of "The Art of Bead embroidery" which has many techniques,stitches and amazing projects.
The other book is "The Spirit of Bead Embroidery" by Heidi Kummli which looks at totem animals,their symbolisim,the gemstones and their healing properties associated with various animals,elements and colours and how to incorporate this into healing,energising and inspiring beadwork as well as 13 gorgeous projects ranging from simple rings to very detailed neck collars. Both these books are great for beginners.
I would also highly recommend Sherri Serafini's solo book "
Bead Embroidery stitches
The stitch I favor and use the most is Couching Stitch. The needle is threaded and brought through to the front of the fabric (felt/pellon interfacing heavyweight/ultrasuede or lacys stiff stuff or Nicoles Bead backing) beads are then strung on the needle is brought down into the fabric. Then go 3-4 beads down and bring the needle up in between the space between beads and sew over the gap, continue down the bead strand every3-4 beads to attach it down onto the fabric.
Go here for a youtube video showing the technique as well as other bead embroidery stitches and beautiful examples of bead embroidery.
Beads East have a wealth of videos on different beading techniques and many kits and materials for you to create your own work.
Bead Embroidery materials: Fabrics to bead on.
Most beaders use a product called Lacy's Stiff Stuff to bead on. It's stiff and easy to bead through a bit like interfacing. Many shops in the usa stock it and if you want it in the uk go to Robins Beads ,or The London Bead Company. Alternatively do a search on www.etsy.com and many people there stock it in lots of colours. Thing is it's pricey so while I use it if I really need to start stitching (i go to the London Bead Co which is opposite Kentish Town station in London) you could use HeavyWeight Pellon Interfacing (the non-fusiable one) which is just as stiff (you may have to order from the states as I am having no luck in the uk) or the very affordable Nicole's Bead Backing which is made by bead artist Nicole go to her website www.beadwright.etsy.com she has 3 sizes of sheets in packs of 16 as well as sets of 4-5 sheets. I will be buying this soon as it is more affordable and just as stiff as Lacy's.
Beads/Crystals for Bead Embroidery:
You can use any size of bead for beading. Size 11 or even 8 is good for beginners as they are a bigger size but not massive and come in lots of finishes and colours.
Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls are my all time favorite and I don't just use a few here and there, it's not unusal for me to need to buy 300 or more crystals (in 100 crystal bead bags) in my work. For crystals try www.beadsandcrystals.co.uk they do 100 bead bags right up to to 1440 which is the max size bag for 4mm beads. Try www.buffysbeads.co.uk for pearls and semi-precious stones. if in the states www.firemountainbeads.com Fire mountain beads and gems. Or just google as there are alot of suppliers out there!
Most beaders use a product called Lacy's Stiff Stuff to bead on. It's stiff and easy to bead through a bit like interfacing. Many shops in the usa stock it and if you want it in the uk go to Robins Beads ,or The London Bead Company. Alternatively do a search on www.etsy.com and many people there stock it in lots of colours. Thing is it's pricey so while I use it if I really need to start stitching (i go to the London Bead Co which is opposite Kentish Town station in London) you could use HeavyWeight Pellon Interfacing (the non-fusiable one) which is just as stiff (you may have to order from the states as I am having no luck in the uk) or the very affordable Nicole's Bead Backing which is made by bead artist Nicole go to her website www.beadwright.etsy.com she has 3 sizes of sheets in packs of 16 as well as sets of 4-5 sheets. I will be buying this soon as it is more affordable and just as stiff as Lacy's.
Beads/Crystals for Bead Embroidery:
You can use any size of bead for beading. Size 11 or even 8 is good for beginners as they are a bigger size but not massive and come in lots of finishes and colours.
Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls are my all time favorite and I don't just use a few here and there, it's not unusal for me to need to buy 300 or more crystals (in 100 crystal bead bags) in my work. For crystals try www.beadsandcrystals.co.uk they do 100 bead bags right up to to 1440 which is the max size bag for 4mm beads. Try www.buffysbeads.co.uk for pearls and semi-precious stones. if in the states www.firemountainbeads.com Fire mountain beads and gems. Or just google as there are alot of suppliers out there!
fossil coral cabochons. Domed flat back stones made from various gemstones and fossils.
freshwater pearl strands.
Nicole's Bead Backing www.beadwright.etsy.com check out her beautiful blog about her beadwork www.beadwright.blogspot.com
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