Book Spotlight: Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry

As unique materials go - that is, non-bead ones - fabric is one of the most interesting. With its adaptability and wide range of patterns, colors, and textures, the design possibilties are just as exciting as they are endless. Unlike beads, fabrics can be dyed, cut, sewn, and embellished in almost any way imaginable, allowing beaders to create jewelry that is truly one of a kind.

In Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry,jewelry artist Sherri Haab explores some of the most appealing ways to use these materials. As expected, she begins with helpful explanations of all the materials and tools needed to get started, which are beautifully illustrated with new and vintage examples of each product. Just flipping through the beginning of the book is bound to provide lots of exciting ideas. Then it’s on to the enticing projects, with six chapters focusing on general techniques.

The No-Sew chapter features projects that are perfect for beginners, providing a way to get to know the materials and see how they fit into jewelry design. Each of the following chapters - Sewing and Quilting, Embroidery and Appliqué, Felting, Knotting and Braiding, and Crochet - are filled with exciting ideas for necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Sherri has created many easy pieces that can be adapted for both jewelry and art projects, inspired by some classic techniques not often seen in jewelry design. Each project features a full materials list and step-by-step photographs to guide readers through the process of turning fibers into fantastic jewelry.

If you’re the kind of beader that sees the potential for jewelry in everyday things, Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry can provide a wealth of inspiration and instruction.

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
Sherri Haab and Watson-Guptill Publications
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Work in Progress: Rings and Pendants

Something rare is happening on the bead tray this week: multiple projects. I try to make a habit of finishing one design before starting the next, as difficult as it may be - unless a piece that I’m working on is incredibly tiresome and unlikely to have a satisfying end. Right now I’ve got a bit of an assembly line thing going.

First I have a new set of four medallion pendants. After gluing on the backing and setting them aside to dry, I got to work on a quick quartet of herringbone rings to pass the time. The pendants all have bead centers and some interesting color combinations. My favorite so far is the lime green with stripes, which looks so much like a caterpillar even my son remarked on it. I’ll leave the final judgment until they’re all snipped and trimmed.

With my first ever craft show coming up at the end of this year, I’m hoping to build up a good supply of beaded rings to bring with me. Rather than spend weeks working at nothing but rings - which would interfere with the Egyptian gods challenge, barely on schedule as it is - I’m planning to make them in small batches along the way. I started by choosing some favorite colors and mixing and matching until I got combinations that I liked. Perhaps some new pattern ideas will immerge!

Last week’s ombre lariat is ready to go, and turned out fabulous. I can’t believe that I was so determined to have a continuous rope design - this is so much better.

What are you working on this week?

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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Inspired Beader: Soutache by Magpie

Today my guest is Magdalena of Soutache by Magpie, a jewelry artist whose soutache designs are a delight of curves and curls. This unique technique combines beads with braided fibers in gorgeous colors and pleasing shapes.

Inspirational Beading: When did you first get started with jewelry design?

Magdalena: It was in May 2012. As a full time mom of my 2 years old daughter I found myself a bit bored and frustrated about wasting my artistic skills. I am qualified visual merchandiser and interior designer with huge passion for art of any kind. One day my uncle in Poland, whom always deeply believed in me has told me about something he just discovered - Soutache.

"You have time on your hands, don't waist it. Just try something new, you might like it." So I did.
I Googled "Soutache" and got inspiration kick, it was something I've never seen before. Then I made first tiny order of supplies, in case it wouldn't feel right for me. Most of the materials were new to me, I was so impressed with the Czech braids and it's beautiful, silky finish.

Inspirational Beading: Have you always been drawn to fiber work?

Magdalena: No, until the day I discovered it. My biggest passion is interior design and earlier I've never thought about making jewelry.

Inspirational Beading: Where do you look for inspiration?

Magdalena: Soutache technique is very organic in form, full of curves, very decorative so nature is a big influence. But most of the time I just pick up a few braids I like and start to match beads and findings with it.
I also look for the inspirations on the internet checking upcoming trends and spend time on Etsy.

Inspirational Beading: What's the most interesting or unique thing about your design process?

Magdalena: Soutache jewelry is unpredictable. It can be planned or drawn however I rarely do that, most of the time I just go with the flow and see what happens. Then I follow my first design if it has to be symmetric, like earrings, or when making more samples in different color palette. I'm now experimenting with braids itself, looking for new ways of use.

Inspirational Beading: Do you have a favorite color to work with?

It depends on my mood most of the time. One day I love orange so I am stuck to it for a while, then jumping to another one. Contrast and color blocking is my thing for sure, like in interior design - orange/pink, violet/yellow, black/red, etc.

I get bored easily rushing to try new combination. With time passing I am learning to follow trends. At the moment I am slowly adding some neon's and starting to love them.

Inspirational Beading: What are some of your favorite beads and embellishments?

Magdalena: Most of the beads I use are made of glass. Big matte glass pearls, shiny faceted, small irregular seed beads and tiny Toho one are the soutache must have. I also very often use the Howlite gemstone beads - they come in any color and I like the cracking patterns on them.

I've recently fallen in love with glass vintage buttons. They seem to have soul and some kind of story behind. Alloy bronze metal cord ends are my number one too, they are very versatile. I also discovered some handmade Eco-wooden round beads, very large and bold.

Inspirational Beading: What is the most exciting design in your shop right now? What makes it special?

Magdalena: My hand-wrapped bangles are most popular at the moment, few have been sold in the last couple of weeks. As opposed to the to classic Soutache designs where only the edge of the braid is shown, all the structure is exposed and shows its beauty. My experimenting continue by hand-wrapping PVC tube. Who knows what else I will find?

Inspirational Beading: Who do you hope to inspire with your work?

Magdalena: Inspiring is a big word but I do hope people would appreciate, love and wear handmade jewelry.
Still not many of them do realize a quality and beauty of pieces made by hands not machines. Often pieces are made just once for that one person, and that's what makes it so special. If that one person feel unique when wearing my jewelry then my mission is complete.

You can see more gorgeous soutache jewelry in Magdalena’s Etsy shop, Soutache by Magpie, and on Pinterest. To get the latest news and see new designs, check out Magpie on Twitter and Facebook.

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading and Magdalena (Magpie)
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Crocodile Tail Pendant

Following your creative instincts and creating new designs on the fly is a great way to stay productive and surprise yourself with new ideas. But planning out new projects in advance can pay off, too. I recently made a list of stitches that I had yet to share in the tutorials segment on Inspirational Beading, and as soon as I added Dutch spiral to the list, an idea started to form.

The combination of three bead types, and plenty of room for accents, seemed like the perfect place to start design inspired by the Egyptian crocodile god, Sobek. Although I’ve been sticking pretty close the the alphabet for the Egypt challenge so far, I couldn’t resist skipping ahead to get started on this necklace.

I decided to use some of my mother of pearl chips to represent crocodile teeth, with greens and some black lined topaz for a background. After a few inches of spiral, I decided I didn’t like the green iris and topaz together, so I switched out the brown for a soft cream instead. As I worked with the new palette, I also realized that it wasn’t going to be enough. A few sharp and curved shells would have the fearsome look I wanted, but it needed something more.

I took a look through some photos of real crocodiles, and a picture started to form - shells as scales. I got to work right away on a triangle pendant with embroidered shell chips, and everything fell into place. Sobek’s necklace turned out exactly as I had hoped. The shell fringe in the Dutch spiral has the toothy look that I wanted, the mix of greens and fish-belly white looks reptilian and scaly, and the pendant provides an anchor that helps it all to stand out.

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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How to Make a Floating Bib Necklace

Do you remember the illusion necklace? Not so long ago, it was a popular trend in strung necklaces, using crimps to suspend beads in a widely spaced, multi-strand design. The idea has since evolved, and combined with gorgeous rhinestones and the bib necklace trend, the design possibilities are stunning!

Swarovski Floating Bib Necklace by Jamie Smedley

On the cover of the current Fire Mountain Gems catalogue is a great example of the floating bib necklace, which uses a tulle backing to float a variety of Swarovski sew-ons in a beautiful arrangement. You may have seen this necklace style around the fashion pages, particularly the work of Sparkle Beast Designs. The illusion of sporting jewels right next to the skin is hugely popular, and no wonder, with all of the wonderful shapes and colors of affordable baubles available.

Midnight Sky Floating Bib Necklace by Sparkle Beast Designs

If you’re not afraid of a little glue or sewing, there are a variety of ways that you can make this necklace style your own. You'll need a good selection of rhinestones and flatbacks, along with some sheer mesh fabric like tulle. Since there are no stitches or strings to contend with, you can arrange your baubles in any way you like!

Here are some of the best tutorials I found for floating bib necklaces:

The Rainbow Bling necklace project from Bird Hearts Bear
uses hot glue and flatbacks.





The Nikki’s Disco Dickie tutorial on CraftStylish
uses sew on stones and organza.

I also found some other beautiful bib necklace projects, many of which can be adapted to use a sheer mesh fabric to get the illusion look. Big, chunky rhinestones are a popular jewelry trend right now, so any way you stitch it, they are sure to be a hit. Here are my favorite bib necklace tutorials:

Button and Pearl Bib Necklace Tutorial by Little Miss Momma





Sparkling Bib Necklace Tutorial from Martha Stewart





Satin Bib Necklace Tutorial by Angela Osborn





Beaded Denim Bib Necklace Project from Random Chic Musings

For really affordable and lightweight designs, many artists prefer acrylic rhinestones to crystal. You can find a great selection of the same pieces used in Sparkle Beast necklaces in her destash shop, Sparkle Beast Supplies.

What do you think of the floating rhinestone technique?

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Favorite Techniques: Soutache

If you love to incorporate fabric, fibers, or ribbon into your jewelry designs, or just want to try something new and fabulous, soutache embroidery may be just the technique for you. You may already be familiar with the beautiful, curvy designs created with this unique material. Today’s guest, Amee K. Sweet-McNamara, was recently featured on the cover of Bead&Button magazine for her gorgeous aqua soutache necklace, along with a soutache earring tutorial for beginners.

Inspirational Beading: What is your all time favorite jewelry technique?

Amee: Soutache & Bead Embroidery is my absolute all-time favorite jewelry-making technique. I've always lusted after fabric and trims - when I was little, I hoarded scraps of ribbon and rick-rack from my mom's sewing projects. I didn't know what to do with them but just having them in a box, taking them out and sorting them, rolling them up, running my fingers over them gave me joy. Soutache is really just a type of braid so, I'm essentially making jewelry out of the textiles I've always loved.

Inspirational Beading: How did you first learn about soutache?

Amee: I was an obsessive bead embroidery fiend for years. Searching for new ideas and patterns on the Internet one day, I stumbled over this grainy little photograph of - what? - I wasn't sure... Didn't look like beads... didn't look exactly like embroidery either... everything written about the image was in another language (Polish? Russian? Who knows?!) and the only word that was repeated more than once was the word "soutache." I had no idea what that was so, I started digging.

Bollywood Wedding Soutache Necklace

When I finally figured out that it was Russia braid, off I went to Jo-Ann's Fabrics where I was delighted to discover that I could have any color of soutache I wanted as long as it was white, black or red. Undaunted, I purchased my yardage and went home to begin experimenting, trying to wrangle these long, tangly cords into something resembling the mysterious image I had seen. I tried and discarded a number of techniques including but not limited to gluing, pinning and gluing down onto a substrate and trying to whip-stitch everything from the back like it was a basket or a braided rug.

It took a few months before I finally worked out the basics of the technique I use today. It's funny - I've been doing it this way for so long now but - in truth - the only other Soutache and Bead Embroidery Artists I've ever met are the ones I taught to do it... I'd love to meet another Soutache & Bead Embroidery Artist and see how they do it!

Inspirational Beading: Of all the creations you’ve made with this technique, which one is your favorite?

Amee: I make a lot of work and - in general - I don't build pieces I don't like, but my absolute favorites are the ones with unexpected color combinations. Right now, I'm working on series of pieces called "Bollywood Wedding" and each time I make something new in this particular colorway I think, "Well, that's it... that's the best one ever... " and then I pick up the colors and something even juicier starts to take shape.

Inspirational Beading: Can you share any tips for getting started with soutache embroidery?

Amee: Don't be stingy with your soutache! Of all of the things you will use in this craft - soutache, beads, Ultrasuede and, of course, your time - soutache is probably one of the least expensive! There is nothing more frustrating than spending hours stitching together a piece only to have it ruined because the very ends of your soutache braids are completely frayed. Always cut your lengths longer than you think you're going to need them. If you trim off a few inches and throw them away every time, you're doing it right.

Inspirational Beading: Do you have a favorite color to work with?

Amee: My mother's god-mother always used to say, "Just so you know... anything green is mine." There is something so wonderfully versatile about the color and its ability to shift from warm to cool. In particular, I am a sucker for Chartreuse. Give me any opportunity to slip a little of that into a project and I'm all over it. I'm also partial to Rust and Purple. Hmmm... I now feel compelled to go back into my studio and make something Chartreuse and Rust and Purple... I'll call it "My Interview Suit."

Inspirational Beading: What's your favorite type of bead or embellishment?

Amee: In Soutache & Bead Embroidery, most of the beads are essentially "wrapped" by the soutache which means that very little light can pass through them. Consequently - while I love crystal and translucent beads of all kinds - I am constantly on the lookout for opaque beads or pieces that have enough sparkle, decoration or texture to hold their own in the work. I particularly like the luminosity of freshwater pearls and mother-of-pearl beads.

Inspirational Beading: If someone had to choose to learn only one technique, would you recommend this one?

Amee: Oh, I would so recommend Soutache & Bead Embroidery primarily because - unlike many other crafts - Soutache & Bead Embroidery is in its infancy. New techniques are being developed every day and the possibilities are limitless. I regularly wake up in the middle of the night with new ideas and I simply cannot create them as fast as I can imagine them. Beautiful creations are being posted constantly so, there is an enormous space in which artists can make their own mark on the craft.

Inspirational Beading: In your opinion, what is the best way for beginners to learn this technique?

Amee: Everyone learns differently but one of the most important things to get across in Soutache & Bead Embroidery is the understanding of thread tension. A book with really good step-by-step photography can go a long way toward getting this across but there's nothing like getting to see the actual movement. A class is always great because a good teacher can accommodate a number of different learning styles and demonstrate the movements several times.

A video, on the other hand, is less expensive, more accessible and has the benefit of being able to be played over and over again. In my humble opinion, my 40 minute video Soutache & Bead Embroidery - Lesson #1 - Basic Harp Earrings is the best video for the English-speaking market.

You can see more of Amee’s incredible soutache designs, and learn about the techniques she uses on her website - Amee Runs with Scissors. She also offers tutorials, kits, and soutache embroidery supplies, plus resources for finding materials and learning more about soutache jewelry.

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading and Amee K. Sweet-McNamara
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Bugle Feather Keychain

Not every project can turn out they way we want it to, but if we’re determined enough, we can make mishaps work for us. This happened to me over the weekend, when I tried to tackle some gunmetal twisted bugles. I had been pondering the idea of turning them into an embroidery pendant for awhile. At first I thought something abstract and stripey might work. Then it occurred to me that it would be easy enough to arrange the two bugle sizes in the shape of a feather.

I chose some brown felt and turquoise seed beads to complete the look, arranged some beads and made a rough sketch to follow so that the feather shape was sure to come out. I hadn’t completed very many stitches when I realized that while the idea was good, it just wasn’t going to make a nice pendant. Since I was already committed, I just kept going. It took only a second or two to figure out a use for the mediocre design.

When I cut out the beadwork, I left a little tab and sewed it into a loop before attaching the backing felt. With a keyring in place, I now have a new zipper pull for my purse. (I was a little too rough on the old one). I like the design, and the size is much better. I’m looking forward to showing it off!

Have you turned bead lemons into lemonade recently? What did you make?

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Beading Tutorial: Square Stitch Trim

For every beading stitch and project style, there is a variety of finishing techniques that give a piece a professional look, while also providing extra durability. Protecting beadwork with an appropriate trim adds a little personality, and covers up the exposed threads.

One of my favorite techniques for finishing beadwork is a variation of square stitch. Although it takes a little extra time to weave, square stitch trim uses fewer beads than picots or fringe, and provides a nice, smooth edge. You can add this finishing technique to any beadwork with bridge threads along the edge, like peyote or herringbone, but I find it looks best with curved beadwork such as circular brick stitch. Square stitch worked in the round this way is very compact and strong - it also creates a base for extra embellishing, or seed bead bails for pendants.

Because it works so well on curves, I love to use square stitch to finish bead embroidery projects as well. This stitch is perfect for simultaneously zipping up two or more pieces of embroidery material, while adding a clean edge to the design. It can be worked with any seed bead size, and nearly any project shape, so long as there are no tight turns.

To Add Square Stitch Trim to Embroidery Projects:

Secure a comfortable length of thread at the back of the embroidery, and exit from the edge of the beadwork. Gluing your backing to the embroidery piece is a personal preference, but make sure to leave a bit of space along the edge for securing new threads as needed.

Pick up one seed bead, and bring the needle through the backing and embroidery from back to front. Pull the thread snug, and stitch up through the bead just added.

Pick up one seed bead, and stitch through the material from back to front, just above the previous bead. Pull snug, and stitch up through the bead just added. Spacing is key - if your latest stitch is too close or far away from the previous bead, remove the needle from the thread and pull out the stitch, then try again.

Continue adding one bead at a time with square stitch, all the way around the edge. You can alternate bead sizes, or create patterns as you go. Always make sure that you stitch close to the edge, but with plenty of room to keep the thread secure - check the work from both sides.

When you come around to the first bead again, pass through all of the edge beads to secure them. You can trim the thread here, or use traveling stitch to enter the embroidery and secure the thread within the main beadwork. Adding a small additional row of square stitch provides the perfect base to string the embroidery as a pendant. You can also add a loop of seed beads to a single edge bead for a basic bail.

What’s your favorite way to finish embroidery projects?

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
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Rainbow Chameleon Pendant

One of my favorite things about being a beader in the internet age, is having so many wonderful artists to interact with. We help, teach, inspire, and encourage each other, share bead sources and techniques, and sometimes just give a well deserved pat on the back.

Earlier this month, I was knocked head over heels by a little inspiration, care of Catherine from Shadow Dog Designs. Catherine is a veteran Pinterest user, and when she shared a favorite pin of a beautiful panther chameleon photograph on Facebook, I was lucky enough to be there to see it.

This charming creature has the most amazing rainbow coloration, and the bumpy lizard-skin is so akin to beads that it was totally irresistible. You know that moment when you see something and just have to bead it? It was love at first sight, and must have been meant to be, because everything just fell into place.

I knew right then that I would have to find a way to turn the photo into beadwork, and it was in the back of my mind for days. It was the lime green spots especially that caught my eye, and I was grieving the fact that I didn’t have any opaque sour apple seed beads to match. Fortunately, there was a big vial waiting for me on my bead shopping trip last week!

I actually put off starting the design a lot longer than I needed to. I was completely stuck on a pattern, or a method for getting the same array of colors in an organic way. I considered drawing myself a diagram to follow, but where to begin? And if I did that, would I even be able to follow it, or perhaps would it hinder the beadwork by being too rigid? Finally, I made a really simple chart that included all of the colors in the proportions that I wanted, just as a reminder of where I might want things to be placed, so I wouldn’t forget to include certain color combinations. I put the start point - the eye of the chameleon - off-center, to get a more natural, less perfect look. I ended up ignoring the chart after about 4 rounds of stitching, and just going on instinct, and it turned out just right.

Once I had a design plan, I gathered up all of the colors that I would need to recreate panther chameleon skin, including both of the opaque vials that I had just purchased. The palette also includes pepper red (not as purplish as the real thing, but a great contrast for the lime) plus dandelion yellow, shamrock green, and lustered coral for orange. I chose cyan to be the main color for my piece, and to help with the lizardy texture effect, I used two shades of turquoise - one lustered and one AB - and alternated them whenever two or more turquoise beads were side by side.

My color choices for felt backing were limited to brown, black, and dark blue. I went with the brown, because it’s natural looking and complements the turquoise nicely. I like how it looks, although I almost wish that I had known ahead of time how I was going to finish this piece. I was so excited about the beadwork, I didn’t think enough about the end result.

The variety of bead sizes (10/o, 11/o, and 12/o), combined with really snug stitches only added to the bumpy texture, and really gives the medallion personality. Normally I would examine every stitch and lament at those that don't line up perfectly, but for this piece, flaws are beautiful.

About halfway through the embroidery, I decided that I wanted to use a multi-strand base, and even though I had accent beads for the extenders that perfectly match the beadwork, I wanted to do something a little different this time around. Instead of matching my clasp chains to the multi-strand section, I thought it would be fun to have a completely neutral backdrop, and did it almost entirely in jet black. I needed a little something more than just seed beads and druks, but with no other jet black accent beads at hand, I chose a handful of dark teal coconut heishi instead. I like the way the hint of color peeks through, and highlights the intense colors of the medallion.

Many, many thanks to Catherine for passing on such fantastic inspiration! I highly recommend checking out some of her inspiration boards for gorgeous photographs galore.

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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Book Spotlight: Sensational Bead Embroidery

I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a book title more appropriate than Sherry Serafini’s Sensational Bead Embroidery.If you love beads or jewelry of any medium, it’s almost certain that this book will keep you in awe from start to finish.

Part of the Beadweaving Master Class series, this book explores the art of intricate bead embroidery in a way that allows even beginners to give this medium a try. And when your instructor is the talented Sherry Serafini, it’s impossible not to be inspired. Her use of unique materials and color palettes makes her designs stand out from the pack, and she shares exactly how to make them!

The book begins with a detailed overview of materials and tools, including types of beads and how they are used in embroidery. After guiding you through the basics of embroider stitches, bezel techniques and fringes, Sherry covers topics on color and design that will help you to create your own stunning and original designs.

There are 25 projects in all, varying in size and difficulty. Beginners can start with the gorgeous but quick to stitch statement rings, then move on to pendants, brooches, cuffs and elaborate beaded collars. Sherry has incorporated a variety of cabochon and bead styles into the projects, so you can choose your favorites or explore something new. Each project includes a full materials list and step-by-step instructions, with diagrams to guide you through the trickier techniques.

Throughout each chapter are gorgeous full color photographs of Sherry Serafini’s signature beadwork to help inspire you, and show examples of variations on the techniques and materials being used. To add even more sparkle and encouragement, Sensational Bead Embroidery finishes with a gallery of designs from artists such as Heidi Kummli, Laura McCabe, Diane Hyde, and NanC Meinhardt.

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
Sherry Serafini and Lark Crafts
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