I’ve been putting together some lovely inspiration boxes to tempt your creativity. They are usually sold at trunk shows and zoom classes, but I’ve decided to share a stash of them with you all on my website.
Each box one of a kind and is filled with everything you need to get started on your own creative projects including beading foundation and backing. You’ll find beautiful silks and velvets, subtle sparkly metallic ribbons, and snippets of vintage fabrics. There are also seed and accent beads, crystals, and cabochons to add extra sparkle. It’s been so much fun to mix and match beads and colours until each treasure box is just perfect. I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I do!
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few suggestions using pieces I’ve made for myself or for classes.
Favourite project ever! The Venetian Cuff, Just start with a bracelet sized piece of foundation. Lay fabrics across it and stitch them in place, tucking the edges to the back of the foundation. Embellish the surface with beads and accent beads until you’re happy with the results, then add the backing with an edging stitch. Closures can be buttons and elastic loops, or snap fasteners. Here's a link to the PDF pattern.
When we did the ‘Curator’ class, we took a simple frame shape and embellished it with beads. Before adding the backing we lined the space in the middle with fabric and lace, added a bead embroidery bail, and stitched a row of jump rings across the bottom edge, the place for fringes and a collection of treasures.
Guilty secret time, when I just want to relax with beads... I cut a random shape out of beading foundation, then cover it with fabrics, if sewing and folding fabrics over the edge of the foundation is not your thing… use a double sided fusible and iron the fabrics in place. You can buy double sided fusible on a roll (for quick fixing garment hems) or by the yard from fabric stores. Stitch a metal ring to the back of the foundation (curtain rings are perfect), top and bottom. They give the beginnings of a bail at the top, and somewhere for more decoration at the bottom. Add bead embroidery, then attach the backing with an edging stitch.
A gorgeous fabric or mix of fabrics can be used to make a simple base for a pendant, here is one I made and wear often, the fabric is woven with pure silver thread and dates to 1920’s India. I only had a short length, but love its vintage patina. The pendant is simply a strip of fabric folded in half, stitched and filled with a little padding. The beaded beads are plastic bead tubes covered with the fabric and embellished. I picked accents and bead colours to softly blend with the fabric.
If you like a bit of sewing along with your bead embroidery, it’s easy to make and stuff 3D shapes. My Constanza and Samarkand pendants have a filled fabric base, which can then be covered with beads. The lovely thing about this technique, is that you can use beads to hide any less than perfect sewing.
Tempted? find the Treasure Boxes here.