Beadwork Samplers
General Information About All Samplers
You will need to cull the Czech beads to make uniform samples. If
you are making samples for a museum, I would advise you take the extra time to cull the
beads since thousands of people will be viewing the samples you donate. Save the irregular
thin Czech and Delica beads you culled from some of the samples to combine in circular and
octagon shapes that need irregular shapes. Japanese Delica beads are more uniform,
however, they too, have irregular beads that need to be culled. You may think only Delicas
look the best for all beadwork. Delicas do work great for many flat rectangular and square
samples, however, flat circular and octagon shapes often work better with Czech beads.
On most samples, you will be changing the bead color each time you start a new row
or round to show the thread path. Future samples that include thicker fibers will be
worked differently. Illustrations will be provided for each sample.
The samples are made in both Czech or Japanese Delica beads; you choose which type bead
or do the samples in both. You can use any bead colors you like. You will be learning
about color as you make samples and see how color combinations work together. You can use
the same color combinations in future beadwork. Keep the samples for technique and color
reference. These samples will make it easier for you to complete future projects in bead
related books and magazines.
Making samples will not only give you real beadwork references to work from and an
eventual heirloom sampler book, but also allow you to play by making additional samples
and working them into beadwork items. The "Beadwork Applications," include
images of items I have created using samples and other images will be made of the stitches
in various samples. Applications will be there for shared ideas and uses of samples
and the stitches. I invite you, the viewers, to send images of items you create using
beadwork samples to include in the Beadwork Applications section. When submitting
images, please identify the samplers type stitch used and which sample it is derived from.
Creating Fabric Pages of your Beadwork Samplers
I will also be adding a "Vintage Beadwork" section which will include images
of beadwork of the past that includes stitches in the current stitch we are working or
stitches from previous samples that are already up on my site. I invite you the viewers to
send me images of any vintage beadwork that illustrates stitches in the samples or of a
stitch that I have not yet added. When submitting images, please indicate the
appropriate stitch, any additional stitches included, where you obtained the piece and any
historical information you may have.
This is a historical journey that will be chock full of techniques, information and
lots of fun. Join me and Barbara Grainger in this monumental effort to preserve
beadwork.
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