Freeform Beading: Tutorial

Freeform Beaded iphone bag by Carla Barrett

FREEFORM BEADED TUTORIAL

Since I’m still in a beading mood, I decided to teach myself some new stitches- primarily the peyote stitch.  Then I started a freeform beaded piece shown below, though please note it is still a work in progress:

And this bridal necklace:

Here is a more recent work-in-progress:

How did I do this?  It was actually pretty easy, so I thought I would share the how-to with you.  I often will just start beading, then change and keep adding on and working the piece.  However, in working with beginning students, I have found the following method works as a good starting point to learn this technique.

To Begin: collect beads in various sizes and colors that blend well together.  Pick a focal piece or pieces as well to give your piece visual interest:

To begin, take a 2 yard piece of FIRELINE (a braided beading thread by The Beadsmith) and string about a 5-6 inch base row of various beads, taking care to mix sizes and colors:

Next, build off of your first row using any stitch you have learned.  In the example below, I used peyote stitch and ladder stitch:

Here is a tutorial for how to do a Ladder Stitch (click to enlarge):

And here is a tutorial for how to do peyote stitch, even count:

Get creative!  Just keep building and beading until it starts to flow for you.  I still have a way to go, but here is my most recent work-in-progress:

Once I complete the piece above, I plan to turn it into a necklace, so I will add-to and finish it off accordingly.  Last step will be to add a clasp.  The above piece works, I feel, because the focal point flower helps to balance the entire freeform piece.

Here is another small freeform bag in a different colorway:

If anyone tries this mini tutorial, please send me a picture of your finished project. I would love to see your work!

Back to quilting now…   Hugs, Carla

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