618156 Great Beading Tips
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Transcript of 618156 Great Beading Tips
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7/30/2019 618156 Great Beading Tips
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A supplement to Bead&Button magazine
2010
618156
BeadingTips
Great
PLUS Reference guides to Thread Wire Crimp Metal beads Finding
Needle threadin Healthy beadin
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Wire comes in a variety of materials and
finishes, including brass, gold, gold-
filled, gold-plated, fine silver, sterling
silver, silver-plated, German wire
(sterling over a copper core), anodized
niobium (chemically colored wire),
copper, and color-coated copper (craftwire). Brass, copper, and craft wire are
packaged in 10- to 40-yd. spools, while
gold, silver, and niobium are sold by the
foot or ounce. Practice your wire skills
using brass or copper, which are soft,
easy to manipulate, and inexpensive.
HardnessHardness describes wires temper or
malleability. When you work with
sterling silver wire, you have a choice
between two categories of hardness:dead-soft and half-hard. Dead-soft wire is
easy to bend with your fingers. Half-hard
wire is slightly stiffer, so it holds its shape
well. Any wire will harden as you work
with it, but for more rigidity, you can
hammer it on a steel block or anvil.
Hammering will flatten the wires shape.
ShapeWire is available in many different
shapes, but the most common are round,
half-round, square, triangle, and twisted,
as shown above right. Each of theseshapes is available in a range of gauges.
GaugeGauge is the measure of a wires
diameter or thickness. The chart at
right lists the most common gauges
used for making wire and beaded
jewelry. The lower the gauge number,
the larger the diameter.
12- nd 14-gg ws are used forneck wires, bangle bracelets, and other
unsupported wire shapes. These gauges
are only available as dead-soft.
16- nd 18-gg ws are sturdy,
medium-thickness wires used for
making clasps, large jump rings, and
chain maille.
20- nd 22-gg ws are all-purpose
sizes for loops, jump rings, head pins,
eye pins, and other findings. These are
easy to bend, so you can use eitherhalf-hard or dead-soft. Most standard
head pins and earring wires are made in
20- or 22-gauge wire.
24- nd 26-gg ws are considered
ultrafine. Use these with small pearls
and gemstones as well as for decorative
wire wrapping, wire crochet, and
beaded flowers.
28-gg and thinner wires are excellent
for crochet, beaded flowers, twining,
and other delicate applications. Some
pearls and gemstones with tiny holes
may require these gauges as well.
Our thanks to Thunderbird Supply Co.,
(800) 545-7968, thunderbirdsupply.com,
for their information and assistance.
S
H
A
P
E
S
Wire
GauGe Diaeter
12 2.00 mm
14 1.50 mm
16 1.25 mm
18 1.00 mm
20 0.75 mm
22 0.64 mm
24 0.50 mm
26 0.40 mm
28 0.30 mm
The readers ofBead&Button share their tips and techniques with all of us in each issue of the magazine.In this booklet were passing along some of our favorites. If youd like to bead a little faster, neater, oreasier, or become better organized, the tips on the following pages will help you.
Weve also included full-page reference guides to wire, crimps, thread and cord, needle threading, and metalbeads and findings, plus exercises for healthy beading.
Enjoy!The Editors ofBead&Button
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Kudos for Bead StoppersIve had more strung projects come
apart while Im finishing them than
I care to count. Ive tried tape, but it
leaves a sticky residue and doesnt
always hold. Hemostats and alligator
clips hold, but their teeth kink the wire.
Now I use a product called the BeadStopper. Its a small spring that clamps
onto thread and beading wire. It holds
without damaging the material its on.
Visit beadstopper.com for more
information. Susan Helmer,
Newark, California
I like to use the Bead Stopper when
working with elastic. I can isolate a
knot in the coil and apply glue without
getting it on the beads. Rebecca
Buckner, Huntsville, Alabama
All wound upAs an avid bead crocheter, I used to
struggle with keeping the extremely
long strand of strung beads on a bob-
bin. Now I use Bryson E-Z Bobs. These
are round, plastic, donutlike bobbins
with a curved top that flips down. Sim-
ply string your beads, wind the thread
onto the bobbin, then flip the top down.
Your project will be easy to transport,
the strung beads wont fall off,
and the thread stays clean.E-Z Bobs are available in
three sizes and can be
found in your local
yarn shop. Susan
Helmer, Newark,
California
Get thekinks outHeres a quick
and easy way to
remove kinks
and curls from
leather cord. Cut a piece of cord 1 in.
(2.5 cm) longer than the desired length
of your finished piece. Thoroughly
soak the cord in water. Attach a heavy
C-clamp on each end of the cord.
Hook one clamp on a clothes hanger
with the other hanging freely. Once
the cord is completely dry, remove theclamps, and you will have a nice, flat
piece of leather cord. Sandy Bowlin,
Twin Falls, Idaho
Tool embellishmentsIf you take beading classes or bead with
friends, this is a great way to mark your
pliers, crimpers, and scissors to ensure
that your tools dont get accidentally
mistaken for someone elses. Glue a
small rhinestone with a flat back on the
hinge of your tools with Super Glue.
Tiny buttons, small spacers, and sequins
also work well. Mary Valleau, Garden
Grove, California
Fixing mistakesI use crimping pliers to break the occa-
sional extra seed bead in my stitches
when I miscount or pick up an extra
bead. With chainnose pliers, I found
that I was breaking beads and cutting
threads. Now when I use a crimping
tool, I only break beads. Diane
Dennis, Nokesville, Virginia
Breaking beadsI use a T-pin to break the occasional
extra seed bead that accidentally finds
its way into my beadwork. Since the
T-pin is larger than the seed bead hole,
it breaks the bead from the inside out.
This way, you wont cut your working
thread as you can when using pliers tobreak a bead. Simply place the bead on
a pin cushion, insert the T-pin in the
bead hole, and apply pressure to the
T-pin until the bead pops. Rosemarie
Novotny, Roanoke, Virginia
Works like clockworkMy blind grandfather accomplished his
tasks easily by laying out his tools in a
preplanned order. I use this approach
with my beading tools. By placing them
in a circle as if they were clock numbers,I always pick up the
right tool without
looking. Its effi-
cient and easy to
learn. Bonnie
Elliott,
Columbus,
Ohio
Tools
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standardcrimpingpliers
mightycrimpinpliers
Crimp beads are available in three
shapes round, twisted crimps, and
tubes. All three can be flattened with
chainnose pliers; use either chainnose
or crimping pliers on tube crimps.
Round crimp beads are usually
23 mm in size and come in silver-or gold-plated finishes.
Twisted crimps (also known as Twisted
Tornado crimps) are, as the name
implies, tube crimps with a slight twist.
They are available in sterling silver and
gold-filled. The twist helps secure the
beading wire, and it lends a decorative
look to the finished crimp.
Tube crimp beads come in several
lengths and diameters, and in sterlingsilver, gold-filled, and copper. Here are
a few basic points to consider when
choosing tube crimps for your
jewelry projects.
a1 x 1 mm micro crimps are the
smallest of the crimp beads. Use
them with size .010 flexible bead-
ing wire and micro crimping pliers.
bUse 1 x 2 mm crimp beads for illu-
sion necklaces and with .012.019
flexible beading wire and standardcrimping pliers.
c2 x 2 mm crimp beads are the most
common size for jewelry making. Use
them with .012.024 flexible beading
wire and standard crimping pliers.
d3 x 2 mm crimp beads are interchange-
able with 2 x 2 mm crimps. Use them
with .012.024 flexible beading wire and
standard crimping pliers.
e3 x 3 mm crimp beads are the largest
crimps. Use them with ribbon or
multiple strands of flexible
beading wire and mighty
crimping pliers.chainnose pliers
A crimp cover is an open, round bead that slides
over a crimped crimp bead and is squeezed
closed with chainnose or mighty crimping pliers.
various
shapes
round twisted tube
various
sizes
a b c d e
To finish a round or flat leather cord,use a crimp end designed for thatpurpose. Here are a few popular
styles, shown before and after
crimping. Some crimp endsrequire a drop of adhesive
for a stronger hold.
twisted
tube
round
microcrimpingpliers
Crimps
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Pattern markersI love beading with a charted pattern,
but Ive never been crazy about using a
ruler to mark my progress. While doing
a square stitch pattern at work one day,
I stumbled upon the answer stickynotes. They are inexpensive and easy to
move, they keep their stickiness for a
long time, they dont leave any residue
on the page, and you can make notes to
yourself right on them about any
changes you want to make to the pat-
tern. The best part is that they stay in
place when you have to pack up your
project. So, when you open your pattern
book again, your place is still marked.
Jennifer Howe, Carson City, Nevada
Separate componentsOne of the best beading tips I ever
received was from a beading instructor
who does restoration and repair work.
She recommended that I use a separate
piece of thread for each component of
my work. For example, if making a
bracelet, use one thread to make the
base, a second thread for embellish-
ments, a third for one clasp half, and a
fourth for the other clasp half. If any of
these components break, the break is
confined to that segment and is easy torepair. S.J. Sanchez, Albuquerque,
New Mexico
Thread on the goTo make my thread collection quickly
accessible and portable, I string my
spools, sorted by size, onto 8-in. (20 cm)
ball chains. Then, I string an alphabet
bead to indicate the thread size. This
handy method allows me to cut the
desired length of thread off the spool
without removing it from the chain.
If you cant find 8-in. (20 cm) chains,
connect two 4-in. (10 cm) chains. Rhonda M. Guy, Lexington, Kentucky
Counting rowsTo keep track of your progress while
loom weaving, slide a beading needle
through the 10th row of beads; then,
after weaving 10 more rows, move the
needle to the 20th row, and so on. If you
keep track of how many times you move
the needle, youll never need to count
more than a few rows of beads at a time.
Seena Friedenberg, Scotch Plains,
New Jersey
beadingneedle
Patterns and thread
FringebenefitTo plan fringe, use a piece of wide-wale
corduroy with grooves wide enough to
hold your beads. Lay the fringe beads out
in rows so you can easily make design or
bead changes as you see the patternunfold. Stringing becomes very easy, since
all you have to do is go down one groove
to the end bead, turn around, and go back
up again. This works especially well for
geometric patterns. Marilyn Peters,
Vallejo, California
Fringe from the centerWhen adding fringe, cut a length of
thread twice as long as normal and start
in the middle of the fringe section.
Leave half the thread as your tail. Do
the center fringe first and work out toone side. Then thread your needle on
the tail end and work to the other side.
This has two advantages. First, you have
fewer knots, since you wont have to
add a new piece of thread. Second, most
fringe is longer in the center, so by start-
ing there you use up the long thread
quickly, making the rest of the fringes
easier to manage. Jamie Cloud Eakin,
Modesto, California
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Beaders have access to more threads and
cords than ever before. The majority of
them fall into one of two camps
nylon and gel-spun polyethylene (GSP,
Dyneema, and Spectra Fiber are some
names this product is marketed under).
Some other products, notably aramid
and polyester, are available as well.
No thread is perfect for all beading
projects. Each product has its strengths
and weaknesses, and some are better
than others for certain applications.
The chart below describes the general
characteristics of many of the available
products. Note the different methods
used to describe the size, weight, orstrength of these threads. The chart at
right shows approximate equivalents in
diameter between the various products.
Our thanks to Sylvia Sur, Carol
Perrenoud, Sherry Serafini, and
Heidi Kummli for their input.
Type Names Sizes Colors Description Strengths Weaknesses BestUses
Parallel
filament
nylon
Thin nylon fibers areextruded, bundled,and heat-set to form asingle-ply thread.
Durable; easy tothread on a bead-ing needle; greatcolor selection.
Stretchy; some proneto fraying; will breakunder stress; unevenquality on market.
Best in on- and off-loombead weaving and for beadembroidery. Not good forstringing or twisted fringe.
Pliednylon
Two or more extrudednylon threads aretwisted together andcoated or bonded toenhance ply security.
Strong anddurable; somehave had stretchremoved; moreresistant to frayingthan parallelfilaments.
Difficult to thread ona beading needle dueto round profile andthicker diameter.
Good for twisted fringe,bead crochet, and bead-work that should have a lotof body. Upholstery threadis best for bead crochet.
Pliedgel-spunpolyeth-ylene(GSP)
Polyethylene fibers arespun to form thread.Two or more threadsare braided or twistedtogether.
Almost unbreak-able; doesntstretch; resistsfraying.
Limited color palette;most are too thick formultiple passes througha single bead.
Use for stitching with largerbeads, such as pressedglass and crystals, or forbeadwork that should havea lot of body.
ParallelfilamentGSP
Fireline 230+ lb.test
smoke, crystal,green
Polyethylene fibers arespun and then bondedto form a single-plythread.
Extremely strongand thin; doesntstretch; resistsfraying.
Limited color palette;crystals can cut it; cordis rather stiff.
Great for bead stitching.Not great for fringe orstringing.
Polyester Polyester fibers arespun into single yarnsand then twisted intoplied thread.
Lots of colors;doesnt stretch.
Gets linty fromabrasion.
Best for bead crochet. Alsofor bead embroidery whenthread must match fabric.
Aramid Kevlar O 6 Spun poly-aramidfibers are extrudedand gathered to forma single-ply thread.
Extremely strongand thin; bullet-proof and fire-retardant.
Thread will cut itself;negative reaction to skinand UV light; doesntabsorb dyes well.
Works well with beads withsharp edges.
NymoC-LonSoNoOne-G
K.O.
OOFFDAB
B, D
many36512
12
SilamideHastings BondedBead Cord
StringthWildfireupholstery thread
A2/0 (00),1/0 (0),250710 lb. testvaries
21white
14black, white, greenmany
Power Pro
DandyLine
SpiderLine Braid
Tuf-Line
530+ lb.test1050 lb.test2040 lb.test1530+ lb.test
green, white, yellow
black, white
green
green
YLI JeansGutermann top-stitching
30E (equiv.)
25many
Thread Cord GSP 00 6 lb. parallel
A/0 8 lb. parallelB 10 lb. parallelD 0 1015 lb. pliedE 1 20 lb. pliedF 2 30 lb. pliedFF 3
Sizeequivalents
Thread and cord
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1Start with stretches: Cut the
thread, hold one end in each hand,
and pull. If youre working with Nymo,
condition it. This relaxes the threads
kinks and curls, making it easier to use.
3Sink your teeth into it: Flatten the
threads cut edge to its thinnest
profile by pressing it with your finger-
nails, squeezing it with pliers, or biting
it gently with your teeth.
2Shear the edge: Trim the end of
your thread on an angle using very
sharp scissors. A tapered edge free of
stray fibers will slide gracefully
through the needles eye.
5If all else fails: Pass the wire loop
of a needle threader through the eye
of your needle. Put your thread through
the loop, then pull the loop out of the
needle. Success!
Big Eye:Use for
loomwork,
macram,
and trans-
ferring
beads
Small
Big Eye:Use for
off-loom
stitches
and tight
spots
#12 l
Us
loomw
off-l
stitches,
transfe
be
Twisted wire:Usefor stringing and
tight spots
Beading needles(Use for off-loom stitches and loomwork): the smaller the needle,the bigger the number.
4Bring needle to thread: Hold the
needle in your dominant hand, and
grab the thread close to the cut edge
with your other hand. Move the needle
to the thread, sliding the eye over the
threads end.
5 steps for easier needle threading
#16Use with
160 to 240seed beads
#12
Use with
80 to 130
seed beads
#10
Use with
60to 110seed beads
#13Use with
110 to 150
seed beads
Get the pointTo choose a needle, consider your bead
and thread sizes, the number of passes
youll make through the beads, and thebeading technique.
A Hacky
Sack, or footb
makes a colo
pin cushion.
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Project organizersI like to store my beading projects in
canvas notebook pencil cases with a
clear plastic front panel. These cases
are inexpensive and sturdy enough towithstand needle piercings. Theyre
large enough to hold all the materials
needed for a project, and the clear panel
makes it easy for me to find the project
I want to work on. Jill S. Banning,
Newberry, Florida
Keep em containedRecently, I decided to organize my seed
bead collection. I put the beads in a
64-drawer cabinet and labeled the
drawers with the size and color of the
beads. I chose to store most of the beads
loose because the tubes didnt fit in the
drawers. Then one day, my husband
accidentally kicked over the cabinet and64 drawers of seed beads spilled onto
the floor. (He felt so bad; I just
laughed.) So, unless you want unique
color mixes like I have, if you decide to
store your beads this way, secure them
in little plastic zip bags first. Heidi
Inskeep, Scottsdale, Arizona
Design platformsI found that the little racks used in
Scrabble are approximately 7 in. (18 cm)
long perfect for designing a bracelet.
The beads rest in an upright position
a better perspective than on a flat
bead board. Three or four racks can
be positioned side by side for necklacesalso. Louise Lessing, Drexel Hill,
Pennsylvania
Inexpensive bead boardsLike most beaders, I often have more
than one project going at a time. Since
I only have one bead design board but
still want to see my designs as I lay
them out, I have found a way to make
my own disposable boards. These are
portable, inexpensive, and great to have
on hand for a jewelry-making party.To make one, cut an 812 x 11-in.
(21.6 x 28 cm) piece of cardstock in
half so you have two 414 x 11-in.
(10.8 x 28 cm) pieces. Fold one piece
in half lengthwise. Then fold the edges
back toward the center fold, making an
M shape. Mark the center with a 0 and,
using a ruler, mark 12-in. (1.3 cm) and
1-in. (2.5 cm) increments in each direc-
tion. Place your beads in the channel,
using 0 as the center, as on a commer-
cial design board. Make another board
with the other piece of cardstock. Tracey Kirk, Clarksville, Tennessee
Bead travelerEmpty travel-sized baby-wipe
containers make great storage for
bead projects. Theyre lightweight,
the right depth to hold tubes of beads
and projects, and they fit easily into a
purse or carry-on. Best of all, you can
recycle something that would otherwise
end up in the garbage. I line mine with
a beading surface cut to fit. In fact, the
container seals so tightly, you dont
have to put the beads back in the tubesif youre in a rush to close up your
beading. You wont lose anything.
Sherry Magid, Skokie, Illinois
Bead storage and organization
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Many styles of beads look likemetal but arent. These include
metallic-finished glass, plastic, andstone (pyrite and hematite). These are
all good alternatives to metal forsome uses, but its important toknow what youre using.
Metallook-alikes
Metal beads and findings are great for
adding character and durability to jewelry
designs. A wide array of metal products
is available, ranging from 24k gold and
fine silver to pewter and brass, and it can
be a challenge knowing whats what.
Below is a brief description of the metals
that are commonly available at stores and
online merchants. Be aware that unscru-
pulous dealers sometimes misrepresent
products. If a price seems too good to be
true, the item may not be genuine.
Our thanks to Keith Seib of Planet Bead
and Sylvia Sur for their assistance.
Metal Composition Characteristics Comments
Fine silver 99.9% silver Lustrous white, soft, and malleable; the most
inexpensive and accessible precious metal
Too soft to be made into beads; available as wire
and is the resulting material in metal clay silver
Sterling
silver
92.5% silver, 7.5% other, usually cop-
per; 92.5% is minimum silver content
for an item labeled silver in the U.S.
The addition of copper or other base metal makes
sterling silver harder and more prone to tarnishing
than fine silver
Items sold as sterling should be stamped 925,
sterling, or ster; however, no international
agency exists to enforce this policy
Silver plate Thin layer of pure silver over base metal Looks much like sterling Silver plating wears of f over time
Bali silver Sterling silver Handmade in Bali; characterized by surface
granulation and fine detail
Items labeled Bali-style are usually not made in
Bali and are often not sterling
Hill Tribessilver 95%98% pure silver Handmade in Thailand; no two pieces areexactly alike Natural themes, such as flora and fauna,predominate
Turkish silver Sterling silver Handmade in Turkey; characterized by surface
granulation and filigree
Often lightweight and ornate
East Indiansilver
Sterling silver, various alloys Wide array of styles Many Bali-style beads are made in India
Israeli silver Sterling silver Often smooth, sleek, and modern-looking Usually high quality and relatively inexpensive
Mexican silver Sterling silver Often inlaid with stones Vintage items may have lower silver content
Karated gold 24k = 99.9% gold; 22k = 91.3% gold;
18k = 75% gold; 14k = 58.5% gold;
12k = 50% gold; 10k = 41.7% gold
Bright yellow metal that does not tarnish or
corrode; one of the most prized precious metals
All items sold as gold should be labeled with a
karat designation; 10k is the minimum standard
for gold in the U.S.
Gold-filled 10k or higher over base metal Gold layer will wear of f over time Gold must account for at least 1/20 the weight of
the piece to be called gold-filled
Gold plate 10k or higher over base metal Gold layer will wear of f over time Gold layer is thinner than in gold-filled itemsGold vermeil 14k or higher over sterling silver Gold layer will wear of f over time Nice, relatively inexpensive alternative to pure gold
Copper 100% copper Reddish-gold metal that ages to warm brown Develops green patina and can turn skin green
Brass Copper and zinc alloy Inexpensive gold-colored metal Tarnishes and turns brown over time
Nickel 100% nickel White metal that looks like silver Many people are allergic to nickel
Pewter Tin alloyed with various other metals Soft, grayish-silver metal Vintage pewter may contain lead
Niobium 100% niobium Very strong and hard inert gray metal, usually
anodized to various attractive colors
Hypoallergenic; great as earring findings
Surgical
steel
Iron, carbon, chromium, and various
other base metals
Has a smooth surface that prevents germs
from attaching
Because it sometimes contains nickel, its not a
good choice for people with nickel allergies
German silver Copper, zinc, and nickel Looks like sterling, but contains no silver Also known as nickel silver and Alpaca silver
Hill Tribessilver beads
East silver
Vermeil beadand clasp
Copper disk with
inlaid sterling
Gold-platedcone
Bali silver spacer
Turkish silver beads
Israeli silver beads and clasp
Niobium earring wire
base
m
etal
si
lver
gold
Metal beads and findings
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Easy sizing for braceletsIve made many bracelets that are the
same length, yet each one fits differently
because the size of the beads affects the
bracelets inside diameter. Heres an easy
way to make sure the bracelet is the
right length for the size of your beads.First, find the inside diameter of a
bracelet that fits you. Then, turn a
Styrofoam cup upside down, slide the
bracelet onto the cup, and mark the cup
where the bracelet sits. Use the cup as a
form to make another bracelet of the
same size. This also lets you determine
the lengths for bracelets slightly smaller
or larger in diameter. Pearl Hresil,
Chicago, Illinois
Pin orpendantI have a favor-
ite ladybug pin
that I wanted
to use as a
pendant. So, Idesigned a neck
strap and fin-
ished both ends with lobster claw
clasps. Then, I attached the lobster
claws to the pin back. Merle
Berelowitz, New York, New York
If youve been searching for fast, easy earring ideas,
try this great-looking pair. On a 4-in. (10 cm) piece
of .012 or .014 flexible beading wire, center your
choice of beads and two four-loop components, as
shown. Cross the wires ends through the loop on
an earring finding, then bring each wire through the
corresponding loop on the top silver component.
Slide a crimp bead over both wire ends. Adjust the
tension of the wires, flatten the crimp bead withchainnose pliers, and trim the excess wire. Make a
second earring to match the first. Helene Tsigistras,
Brookfield,
Wisconsin
Earrings in a flash
Back pain remedyI discovered a marvelous item to sooth
the constant pain under my shoulder
blades caused by working in front of
a computer screen all day. Its called
Body-Rite and features two straps that
slip over your shoulders and a 3-lb.
counterbalance weight at the base
of your back. Wearing it is supposed
to prevent lower back, neck, and
shoulder strain and encourages good
posture. I recommend this to my
beading students with positive results.
Mine is from Nancys Notions
(nancysnotions.com), but I have
also seen them in fabric stores.
Terry Leming, Houston, Texas
Beading stretchesI work with 150 beads in a painterly
fashion and spend many weeks and
months on my pieces. Of course,
spending hours in one position leaves
my neck and upper-back muscles
strained, and causes pain from poor
circulation in my legs. Now, I set
my kitchen timer to go off every
30 minutes to remind myself to move
my legs and neck. My chiropractorsuggests getting a 6-in. ball, putting
it between my head and the wall, and
pressing to strengthen the neck mus-
cles. Maxine Hull, Atlanta, Georgia
Eye exercisesRecently, a guest of my beading group
taught us many exercises to use while
sitting and beading for long periods of
time. We had the most fun with an eye
exercise writing the letters of the
alphabet with our eyes. It is easy
enough and elicits a lot of laughs ifyou happen to meet someone elses eye
mid-letter. Lynda Pedersen, Adelaide,
Australia
Wire and finishing Bead healthy
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>4. Thumb stretchPlace your hand sideways on your work surface with the thumb
facing upward. With your other hand, grasp the thumb, and
gently pull backward. Hold for 20 seconds. Release, and repeat.
Repeat on the other hand. For additional stretch, angle the
thumb toward the back of the hand, and pull.
6. Backward bendSit on the edge of your chair, and place your hands on your waist.
Angling your elbows behind you and looking up, arch your back.
Hold for five seconds. Release. Do a total of five repetitions.
If desired, do this stretch while standing instead of sitting.
Although beading
isnt generally viewed as a
physically demanding activity,
holding the body in stiff or unnatural
positions for extended periods of time can
cause long-term damage to the musculo-
skeletal system. Cindy Marti, a physical
therapist with Spinal Dynamics of Wisconsin
([email protected]), showed us a handful
of fast and simple exercises designed for
healthy beading. She suggests interrupt-
ing your work at least once every
30 to 60 minutes to do the
following exercises.
>2. Upper shoulder stretchTo loosen the shoulder muscle, place your left hand under your posterior.
With your right hand, hold the left side of your head, and gently tilt it to the
right, creating a stretch in the trapezius muscle. Hold for 20 seconds, release,
and repeat. For additional stretch, pull slightly back and over or slightly
forward and over. Repeat on the other side.
>> 1. Chin tuckWhen we bead, we usually extend our necks forward and
down. This puts sustained pressure on the cervical discs
and also overloads the cervical muscles. To relieve these
pressures, raise the head so youre looking forward and your
neck is straight. Put your hand on your chin, and gently push
backward. Hold this stretch for about 5 seconds. Release.
Do a total of five repetitions.
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7/30/2019 618156 Great Beading Tips
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Bead dish coverI am a busy sports mom, and I like totake my bead projects with me. SinceI use a porcelain bead dish, I normallyscoop the beads into their originalcontainers when its time to go to thenext event. I have tried using plastic lidsfrom various containers and have yet tofind one that fits snugly around thepetal shape of the dish. The kitchen
wrap Press n Seal by Glad has anadhesive on one side, and it sticks tosmooth surfaces. Now, I simply covermy bead dish with a piece of Press nSeal and secure it by running my fingerover the outer edge and divisions inthe dish. Then I pull the excess wraparound the sides to the bottom.The beads stay in their individualcompartments, and I can toss the trayin my bag and not worry about it.Occasionally, some beads stick to thewrap, but they dont pick up any
residue from it. Cindy Vaughn,Teague, Texas
Quick color clipColor cards are a nice way to keep trackof your beads, but theyre inconvenientto carry. I also love the concept ofbeaded swatch samples, but that meanshaving the time to bead them. So hereis my solution. String a single color ofbeads on a 1-in. (2.5 cm) safety pin.(I used Dritz brand pins.) Make a smalllabel for the color number and attach
it to the other side of the pin. Slide theloop on the end of the safety pin ontoa loose-leaf ring or split ring. Carry itin your purse or attach a chain or cordand wear it around your neck to keepyour hands free as you shop. I alsomade one for my crystals. Rafannette Dooley, Franklin, Texas
Spiraling beadsI use beading and scrapbooking tech-niques to transform spiral notebooksinto custom keepsakes. Select a bookwith a colorful cover design or adheredecorative paper to the front usingdouble-sided tape. Add a layer of stampsor stickers. Sew beads and sequins ontothe cover using an embroidery needleand conditioned Nymo. Cover exposed
threads by taping decorative paper tothe inside cover. Remove the wire spiral.Wind the spiral back into the book,adding a few beads to the wire eachtime it exits one of the bindings holes. Althea Church, Oxford, Mississippi
Photo backgroundsFor about $1 each, I can buy a varietyof professional-looking backgrounds tophotograph my beadwork on. Scrap-book papers (12 x 12 in./31 x 31 cm)come in a variety of colors and textures
at most craft stores, and they are easy tostore in a folder. When it comes to light-ing my beadwork, I find that naturallight works the best. KimberlySzalkiewicz, Escondido, California
More great tips
2010, Kalmbach Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Bead&Button is a registered trademark. This bookmay not be reproduced in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher. Published byKalmbach Publishing Co., 21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187. Printed in U.S.A.