The Beading Studio
with instructor Steve Butler
Class 122
What is it? – There are no two ways about it, we simply love working with beads. Why? Whether we’re making stand-alone beaded jewelry, fashion embellishments or accessories, home décor projects or adding beads to our crochet or knitting projects, the end result will always be the arrival at a “one-of” creative destination. It’s the epitome of self-expression. Helping us reach that destination is an extensive and ever growing array of bead shapes, sizes, colors and textures. The result is the perfect jeweled accessory for any occasion or application. The potential spectrum of personal expression is truly unlimited. There are many different types of beadwork. In the most general sense, beadwork is simply any creative effort that results in some type of beaded embellishment. Commonly recognized forms of beadwork would include bead stringing, bead looming, and bead embroidery. As with all creative endeavors, there are specific tools that make it all possible.
What does it do? The Clover Beading Loom, Swift Bead and accessories are designed to enable anyone at any skill level or any age to pursue these beautiful and engaging artforms.
Clover Beading Loom – The Clover Bead Loom is a cleverly constructed looming tool that makes the physical setup and manipulation of the beading project simple and precise. Made of sturdy metal and nylon components, the loom is both durable and fully adjustable. The range for working space can be set from 2 1/2″ to 8″. Utilizing rollers and pins at either end, the completed project length is completely at your discretion. The “comb” rollers that support the warp threads allow placement and spacing of warp threads to accommodate the width of the different sizes of beads.
Beading Needles – Clover beading needles are provided in an assortment of four needles, sizes 10-13.
Beading Thread – Clover Beading Thread is 100% spun polyester. Resistant to stretch and exceptionally strong, these threads will ensure that your project will maintain both form and function without worry. Available in four colors; beige, brown, green, and light grey.
Clover Beading Loom Kits – Want to get started right away? Clover provides six unique beading kits, each resulting in a complete project. Each kit employs different shapes and applications from angles to curves to fringes. And all are attractive and considered cool by our panel of experts. Collect them all or give them as gifts.
Kits available:
Tulip Brooch Kit
Butterfly Brooch Kit
Rose Brooch Kit
Emblem Brooch Kit
Pendant Necklace Kit Bracelet Kit
Clover Swift Bead – The Clover Swift Bead is the absolute best way to quickly and easily preload beads onto our working yarn. The tip of the needle has a rachet type mechanism that allows the beads to freely move onto the needle shaft while preventing them from sliding off. To load beads we simply push the point of the needle into the container of beads. The point engages the beads, easily aligning them and the downward motion moves them onto the shaft. The other end of the Swift Bead resembles a needle threader. By inserting our working yarn through its opening we can easily slide the beads in the number and order we wanted off the needle and onto the working yarn. If you are using different colors or types of beads you’ll need to load them in reverse order. Remember, the last bead on will be the first off. Now that all the beads are loaded we can get to the fun part. And don’t forget, the Swift Bead also has applications to loom beading as well. Let it do the work while you create.
How do I share it? – Everyone loves bead work. There is something just very enticing about it. It’s amazing on a loom and it’s really cool as an embellishment for knitting or crochet projects. Either application has unlimited creative potential. Set out some great projects and you’ll garner the interest you’re looking for. Let everyone test the Swift Bead. One participating practitioner proclaimed it was so easy to use it was nothing less than pure “sorcery”. Once your friends see how exciting it is to create with beads you’ll have converts for life.