FREE Guide to Bead Weaving!

Beadwork Magazine is offering a FREE eBook for readers to download:   If you are interested in exploring various beading techniques, Beading Daily  has put together the perfect eBook just for you! 

Begin a beading journey full of surprises with these five, free beading-weaving patterns. Good luck deciding which beauty to start with! Part of the beauty of it is that there are so many different beading stitches to be used, nothing is impossible. Whether you love to do peyote stitch, right-angle weave, brick stitch, herringbone stitch, or even if you use a loom to do your beadweaving, chances are that you can find just the right combination of beading techniques to create whatever your heart desires.

Click on the title to this post and you will be redirected to Beadwork magazine's website where you can download your own copy. Enjoy!

BEAD DREAMS 2013 WINNERS!

The wait is over. Here are the finalists who won ribbons is this year's Bead Dreams competition.

Thank you to our sponors. Bead Dreams awards will be gift certificates from the underwriting companies unless otherwise stated. No cash awards will be issued.

Best in Show sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, $1,000 gift certificate

Carpet "Anastasia" by Tatiana Fitzpatrick

Best in Show runner up sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, $500 gift certificate

Mira by Sarah Thompson, Wash.

The People's Choice Award sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, $500 gift certificate

The voting will take place at the show on June 7-8 and online until 4:00 pm CST on Thursay, June 6. The winner's name will be posted on or around June 12.

Lampwork/Glass sponsored by Soft Flex Company

1st Place - Floral Wedding Set by Barbara Caraway, AK, $300 gift certificate

2nd Place - Winter Dreams by Susan Matych-Hager, $200 gift certificate

3rd Place - Bee Hive by Stephanie White, Ga., $100 gift certificate

Polymer Clay sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

1st Place - Reggae Necklace by Melanie Muir, United Kingdom, $300 gift certificate

2nd Place - Gigantical Fantastical Spider Ring by Kathleen Bingaman, Mich., $200 gift certificate

3rd Place - Les Fleurs de Paradis by Lynne Ann Schwarzenberg, Conn., $100 gift certificate

Crystal Jewelry sponsored by Swarovski Elements. Winners will be awarded a gift product package equal to or greater than the amount stated.

1st Place - Crystal Waterfall by Alla Maslennikova, $450

2nd Place - Mukades by Guzialia Reed, $200

3rd Place - Tattered by Diane Hyde, $100

Metal Clay sponsored by Art Clay World USA

1st Place - The Ruins by Christie Anderson, Ariz., $300 gift certificate

2nd Place - Growth by Julia Rai, $200 gift certificate

3rd Place - Mokume Gane Tortoise by Cindy Pankopf, Calif., $100 gift certificate

Wirework sponsored by Beaducation

1st Place - Mira by Sarah Thompson, Wash., $300 gift certificate

2nd Place - Phoenix Jacket by Vanessa Walilko, Ill., $200 gift certificate

3rd Place  - Penny Pincher by Omniobadiah Mee, $100 gift certificate

Handmade Buttons or Beads sponsored by Artful Success

1st Place - Robot Party by Joan Miller, Fla., $300 gift certificate

2nd Place - Dragonflies by Joan Miller, Fla., $200 gift certificate

3rd Place - Tuscany Flowers by Vladislav Ivanov and Kremena Ivanova, $100 gift certificate

Finished Jewelry sponsored by Rio Grande

1st Place - Demon of Screamin' a Dedication by Sherry Serafini, Pa., $450 gift certificate

2nd Place - Angel Armor by Heidi Kummli, Colo., $200 gift certificate

3rd Place - Jurassic by Anneta Valious, $100 gift certificate

Seed Bead Jewelry sponsored by Beadalon

1st Place - Blue Feather by Andrea Grzabka, Calif., $300 gift certificate

2nd Place - Picnic in May on Lilac Way by Marsha Wiest-Hines, $200 gift certificate

3rd Place - Violet Blossoms by  Gabriela Mendez Fernandez, Spain, $100 gift certificate

Objects or Accessories sponsored by Rings & Things

1st Place - Carpet "Anastasia" by Tatiana Fitzpatrick, $300 gift certificate

2nd Place - "Peep Show" Beaded Corset by Laura McCabe, $200 gift certificate

3rd Place - Baas by Gabriella Van Diepen, $100 gift certificate

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2013 Bead Dreams competition. We look forward to seeing new and original designs from you next year. The 2014 online application will be available on or around December 1 at www.BeadAndButton.com.

Tambour: It's Not Just For Haute Couture!

I have long been interested in Tambour beading. It's the technique of choice for Francois Lesage and is considered the most economical form of embroidery - whether using threads, sequins, or beads. We haven't seen this technique take hold amongst beadweavers yet, but I suspect we're on the verge.

Take a moment to be inspired by these three videos on the form and if you're interested, check out the links I've attached below. (Please note: Since the production of the first video below (2009), Francois Lesage has passed away. I've included it because it is an excellent overview of his craft).

To learn more about this technique, visit the following websites:

Ecole Atalier Broderie: http://www.lesage-paris.com/

http://www.interweave.com/Charts-Illustrations/Mar-April-2012/Tambour-Tutorial-Robert-Haven.pdf