Swarovski beads

To you, my precious fellow beaders, I would like to share some ideas and thoughts I gathered along my beading journey. When I’m designing with beads I always keep these in mind.

1. Select your beads based on quality, beauty, and appeal
Don’t bother with beads only because they’re a bargain. They are usually left behind in your bead box anyway.

2. Get proper tools!
Especially basic tools should be good quality. Why waste perfect beading time with tools that barely do the job. This way you will also get rid of unnecessary frustrations.

3. Take time to learn the history, manufacture, symbolism, and lore of beads.
This knowledge will take your beading experience to an higher level. But the knowledge will also give you the power you need. The more relevant information you have, the better.

Photo by itsgreg

4. Look for inspiration in everything around you
 – Not only in the arts or crafts, but in objects, people, and everyday life. Ask yourself, “How can i do this in beads?” More on this in “Find your inspiration”.

5. Take time to study color and design.
Understanding the elements and principles of different designs will give you the language to analyze what happens in your creation. It helps you to know what to change to make your work even more satisfying and complete.

6. Consider the second right answer when deciding on colors and design for your beadwork.
When you think creatively you may come up with a good idea, but by pushing yourself farther, you may come up with something even better. This always works for me. So don’t stress, think!

7. Make your beadwork as durable as you can.
Think about where your beadwork will go when it leaves you. If you make it well, a hundred years from now, it might end up in an antique store or become part of the precious collection of another jewelry fanatic.

8. Finally, fully develop your beadwork.
Don’t hesitate to try different techniques. Try them all, learn them as good as you can, and find out what works best for you. It’s always more rewarding when you can truly let your inspiration flow and not let your beading skills get in the way of realizing the designs of your dreams!