Technique Tuesday!
The exact bead counts will depend upon whether you decide to use Delica beads or the rounder Czech seed beads.  Both are size 11/0s, but the difference in shape means that you’ll be able to fit 16 base row beads (and therefore 16 full sized petals) if you use Delicas.  If you chose to use Czech see beads, you’ll only be able to fit 14 around the circumference of the 8mm bead center.

Materials & Tools
8mm crystal beads
Delica or Czech seed beads
Nymo thread, size O
Beading needle
Step-by-step instructions

Make Art Monday!
There are so many different ways to make beaded flowers.  Some of the most intricate and beautiful that I’ve seen have been done on thin wire in the French style.  I decided to figure out a way to do mine with needle and thread instead.
You might remember awhile ago I shared a piece that I made, inspired by my mother’s flower garden.  I thought it might be nice to show you one of the simple ways that I made some of the flowers for this piece.
Gather up your seed beads, thread, beading needle, and some 8mm crystals or …read more

Seed Bead Fusion
by Rachel Nelson-Smith
Rachel Nelson-Smith has decided not to be bound by the usual rules about beading. Instead of starting with one stitch and sticking with it, she invites us to mix them up. The results are 18 projects of stunning beauty. Rachel likes to add bumps, waves, ruffles, and other textures to her work, which takes each of these projects from merely nice to amazing. She also likes to showcase several different color schemes, so that you’ll never feel hemmed in by just one choice.
The highlight of this book for me is that I can heartily recommend it …read more

Artist: Joan Lukehart
I am a 75 year old ‘girl’ who started beading 10 years ago after retiring.  I was reading Peggy Sue Henry’s “beads to buckskins” and thought “I can do that.”  I had never done any jewelry making before.  I cut up the first several attempts, but finally got it right.  I’m very proud of my split loom necklaces and have had some success in selling them at local craft fairs.  I graph the designs first and select the most pleasing combination of colors.  I use mostly size 11 and 15 seed beads and work …read more

Artist: Linda Pophal
llpophal@charter.net
LinkedIn

Linda Pophal, owner of Baubles & Beads, has been making beaded jewelry for about five years and has found a following in west-central Wisconsin where she lives and works. Her pieces – ranging from necklaces to bracelets to ear-rings – are widely recognized for their unique designs and color combinations which she says are often inspired by colors she sees in nature or simply by “tossing a bunch of beads together to see what might look interesting.”
Pophal’s “triple-strand necklaces” are the most popular of her work and she is frequently called …read more

Dulcey Heller
I looked back and noticed that we have quite a few amazing seed bead artists that have done profiles for us over the past few years. I don’t want them to get lost in the shuffle during February Seed Bead Mania! If you missed any of them, here they are:
Susan Shaw
Denise Perreault
Dulcey Heller
Amy Clarke Moore
Jama Watts

Celtic
Hasn’t this been a great month of seed bead art so far?  I hope that it’s inspiring you to dig out those little treasures and give it a go.  In case your stash is running low, or you need some new idea or instructions, here are some great links from our own archives that may help you out:
The Best Seed Bead Books
The Best Online Instruction
Seed Bead Suppliers

Artist: Jeri Schatz
Website of Beadshop where Jeri teaches: The Bead Garden
I taught all needlecrafts in a small yarn shop in Greenwich Village while my son was young. When he was about 12, I began learning to be a goldsmith, studying under Robert Kulicke, a magnificent artist. In that time I learned granulation and handmade chain weaving with 22kt gold and fine silver. As I was learning, I was also and apprentice- teacher for 4 years. During that time and after I also studied modern metal techniques, honing my skills.
In 1999, after moving to Philadelphia, I took …read more

Artist: Antonia Hall
Website: HittingSend
For the last eight years I have been working with beads. One of my earliest interests was working with seed beads. I was fascinated with the beautiful creations I could make using the tiniest forms, inspired also by the wide palette of colors from which to choose. What fun! After some experimentation, I came up with what came to be known as my Goddess Necklaces, in which I utilize a doubled netting stitch, and which I accent with Swarovski crystals or a wide range of pearls.
I am now studying the healing properties of stones, and have …read more

Artist: Emma Forsberg
Emma’s MySpace
I live in Anchorage, Alaska. My mother’s side of the family is Athabaskan Indian from Interior Alaska. This is my first traditional styled piece of beadwork (and the largest I’ve ever made too!) It is made of all size 11 seed beads – mounted on moosehide with yarn tassles. It was a ufo in my bead stuff for approx. 3-4 years before I finally finished it.