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If you are looking for interesting ways to complete your silver jewellery pieces, how about some beading?
When I first took up beading I discovered Bead&Button, an American publication which is absolutely outstanding. Every issue comes packed with loads of beautiful jewellery projects, all with complete, easy to read instructions.
The projects are done mainly with beads, but there is also a lot on silver clay, polymer clay, stamping and other interesting craft forms. There are also contact details to loads of companies offering unusual beads, findings and tools which you might not find here in the UK.
Below is a sample project from Bead&Button, a description on RAW (Right Angle Weave) which is a easy stich to start with.
At the bottom of the page is a link to Bead&Button. If you are interested in beading and jewellery I definitely recommend getting a subscription.
And now Bead & Button has launched Art Jewellery, a great magazine for precious metal clay users. There are projects for Art Clay and PMC in every issue.
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Right Angle Weave
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1. To start the first row, sting 4 beads and tie the thread into a snug circle. Pass the needle through the first 3 beads again.
(Maintain a firm tension to form the distinctive cross shape.)
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2. Pick up 3 more beads(#5, 6, and 7) and sew back through the last bead of the previous circle and beads #5 and 6.
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3. Pick up 3 more beads and sew back through #6 and the first 2 new beads. Continue adding 3 beads for each stitch until the first row is the desired length. You are sewing circles in a figure-eight pattern and alternating the direction with each stitch.
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4. To begin row 2, sew through the last 3 beads of the last stitch on row 1, exiting the bead at the edge of one long side.
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5. Pick up 3 beads and sew back through the bead you exited in figure 4 (the first "top" bead of row 1) and the first new bead. Remember - circles in a figure-eight pattern, alternating direction with each stitch.
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6. Pick up 2 beads and sew back through the next top bead of the previous row and the last bead of the previous stitch.
Keep the thread moving in a figure-eight pattern. Pick up 2 beads for the remaining stitches on the row. Don't sew straight between stitches.
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Do you want to learn more about other beading techniques? Subscribe to Bead&Button magazine. Each issue is packed with beading techniques and tips, detailed step-by-step projects and more.
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