How to Make Bead Art
Beading isn't just for jewelry anymore. For centuries, beads have been used as a way of enhancing everyday items to create something amazing. From the early American Indians who used beads to add designs to their clothing to today's artists who create intricate pieces from the varied shapes, sizes and colors. Beads can be used in almost any art form.
Things You'll Need
- Beads of any type, color or size Beading material, thread/wire, etc. Tools Glue or adhesive
Instructions
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Decide what style you want to work with. From paintings to needlework; egg art to jewelry; from free-form to structured, beads are used to enhance and create, limited only by your imagination.
There are a large number of books, classes and artisans to help you create "wearable art." -
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Embellish an object. Work your bead designs to enhance an item such as a needlework piece, a mask or journal. Use your beads in unusual ways---don't limit yourself to just stringing them. Combine mediums by painting a picture with beads. Take an old photograph of people dressed in fancy clothes. Decoupage it onto a frame or box, then add beads to the clothes to create a 3D look. Or, take a digital photo, import it into a design tool such as Bead Tool or Bead Pattern Designer, and create a template that will allow you to turn your photograph into a bead project.
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Use different mediums for the base of your beaded art project. Create egg art by taking a photograph and converting it using bead pattern design software. Use the pattern on the egg for your bead work. Goose eggs can be cut and lined to make a jewelry box. Beading the pattern works much like cross stitch or needlepoint, where each bead is glued on the egg in the appropriate spot.
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Embellish cloth or clothing. From traditional American Indian costumes and masks to today's high fashion clothing and accessory lines, beading has taken on an entirely new look. Artwork done on clothing or accessories creates a dual purpose for the finished product, often referred to as wearable art. A simple touch of needle and thread will allow you to stitch beads into the designs.
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Resources
- Photo Credit BeadnButton magazine, Author
