My World of Beads
Three fabulous books to help you master all the skills you need for working with beads to create jewellery, flowers, and dimensional and sculptural work. Enjoy the complete set or choose the theme you need most.
Available now on your local Amazon site.
Between 2014 and 2024, the My World of Beads website offered hundreds of blog posts to help both newbies and experienced beaders master the art of beading. These included posts about the materials: what are the different bead types? How about thread and wire? What tools do you need for beading? Then, we had a section that taught the basic beading and jewellery-making techniques. The site also included fabulous tips for improving in all areas. Covering such meaty questions as, how do you follow a beading pattern? How do you create a great colour scheme for beading? How do you create professional jewellery? And of course the fascinating topic of how to market and sell your work.
I have now pulled all of these articles into three amazing books – each is just under 200 pages long. Between them, these books will take you from a beginner to a master in all the major beading areas. So, whether you wish to make jewellery, or try French beading, or bead embroidery, Kumhimo, wirework, you will find the information you need to succeed. Learn about the best materials, tools and accessories. Master new techniques, or refresh your memory on the techniques you used to know, but have forgotten. And when you are more experienced, learn the tips that will take your creations from “good” to “fabulous”. Or explore how to create your own designs or sell your work to earn some money to keep funding more beads!
My World of Beads Book Series
The Three Titles and Where to Buy Them
Volume 1 gives you 175 pages, focusing on the real basics: The beads, tools and other materials you will need to understand as you enter the wonderful world of beads and beading. ISBN: 979-8335262835
Volume 2 has 177 pages guiding you through the major techniques for bead-weaving and jewellery making. You will learn all the different stitches and thread paths for Peyote, Brick Stitch, Herringbone Weave, Netting, Right Angle Weave, Cubic Right Angle Weave, basic stringing and jewellery making. Plus get some great tips on tension, reading patterns and more! ISBN: 979-8340332493
In volume three, you get 199 pages focusing on the tips that will allow you to create truly professional-looking work, and save time in the process. We then move on to look at things like choosing your own colour schemes, creating designs and writing patterns. Interested in entering competitions or selling or publishing your work? Well, we have guides to doing that as well! And, so much more! ISBN: 979-8340344243
NOTE: the buttons will take you to the UK Amazon site. Just switch to your local site to purchase in your country of choice.
My World of Beads Detailed Contents
Down below, I am including the contents page for each volume so you can see exactly what articles you will get. Choose the volumes that will best support your own evolution and growth in the wonderful world of beads and beading!
Contents of Volume 1
Contents
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Basic – or “Traditional” – Seed Beads …………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Seed beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
What are Cylinder Beads? …………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Delica Bead Codes…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Seed Bead Sizes and Brands …………………………………………………………………………………… 12
Why seed bead brands matter …………………………………………………………………………………. 16
How do you choose seed beads based on colour and finish? ……………………………………….. 20
Advice for buying seed beads ………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
Shaped Seed Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
Bugle Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
Dome Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 30
Lentil Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 31
Magatama Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 32
Mushroom and Mini Mushroom Beads ………………………………………………………………………. 33
O Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
Peanut Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 35
Pellet Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 36
Petal Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 37
Rizo and Dagger Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 38
True2™ Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 39
Tubelet Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 40
Multi-Holed Seed Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 41
Arcos and Minos Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 42
AVA Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 44
Chilli Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 45
DiamonDuo Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 46
GemDuo Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46
Halo Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 47
DiscDuo Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 47
Honeycomb Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 48
Infinity Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 49
IrisDuo Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 51
Kheops Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 52
Nib Bit Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 53
PaisleyDuo and ZoliDuo Beads ………………………………………………………………………………… 54
Piggy Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 55
QuadraTile and QuadraLentil Beads …………………………………………………………………………. 57
RounDuo Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 58
RounTrio Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 59
Rulla Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 61
Silky Beads …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 62
StormDuo Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 63
Superduos, Superduo Duets, Twin Hole Beads …………………………………………………………… 64
Tile Beads and Tila Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 66
Other Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 67
Crystal Beads, Rivolis and Chatons …………………………………………………………………………… 68
Pearls …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 72
Wooden Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 74
Carrier Beads ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 76
Clasps ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 79
Barrel Clasps and Torpedo Clasps ……………………………………………………………………………. 80
Box Clasps and Slide Clasps ……………………………………………………………………………………. 80
Hook and Eye Clasp ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 83
Lobster Clasps and Bolt Rings …………………………………………………………………………………. 83
Magnetic Clasps …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 84
Popper Clasps ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 85
Toggle Clasps ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 86
Other Findings ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 87
Bail ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 88
Calottes ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 90
Closed Rings, Jump Rings and Split Rings …………………………………………………………………. 92
Connectors ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 94
Crimps: French Crimps and Leather Crimps ……………………………………………………………….. 96
Crimp Covers ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 100
Cymbal Metal Elements …………………………………………………………………………………………. 101
End Caps ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 103
French Wire, or Gimp ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 104
Toobs …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 105
Thread, Wire and Other Stringing Materials …………………………………………………………………. 106
Introduction to beading thread types for bead-weaving ………………………………………………. 107
Durathread ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 110
KO Beading Thread ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 111
One-G Thread from TOHO …………………………………………………………………………………….. 112
T-Line Thread from TOHO …………………………………………………………………………………….. 113
Fireline and Wildfire Beading Threads ……………………………………………………………………… 115
Supplemax Thread from Beadalon ………………………………………………………………………….. 117
Craft Wire and Wire for French Beading …………………………………………………………………… 118
Memory Wire ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 121
Stranded Wire for Stringing Beads to Create Jewellery ………………………………………………. 123
Other Stringing Materials ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 125
Bead-Weaving Tools………………………………………………………………………………………………… 129
Beading Needles ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 130
Scissors, Thread Cutters and Thread Zappers Burners ………………………………………………. 131
Beading Mats and Boards ……………………………………………………………………………………… 134
Magnifiers …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 136
Tools for Jewellery Making………………………………………………………………………………………… 138
Crimping Pliers …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 139
Flat Nose Pliers ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 139
Round Nose Pliers ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 140
Wire Cutters ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 141
Bracelet Sizers …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 142
Other Specialist Tools ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 144
Kumihimo Tools …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 145
Bead Spinner ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 147
Storage Solutions ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 150
The 3 most important considerations for bead storage solutions ………………………………….. 151
Perfect bead storage solutions…for you! ………………………………………………………………….. 154
Bead storage furniture: how to plan a beading studio or craft room ………………………………. 157
Where to buy bead storage ……………………………………………………………………………………. 160
Bead storage on a budget ……………………………………………………………………………………… 161
Contents of Volume 2
Contents
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Basic Beading Skills…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Beading Terms Defined …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Three Handy Tips for Working with Beading Patterns ………………………………………………….. 10
The Best Bead-Weaving Technique to Learn First ………………………………………………………. 13
How to Thread a Beading Needle ……………………………………………………………………………… 15
How to Finish Beading Thread and Start a New Thread ……………………………………………….. 16
Joining Fireline Beading Thread ……………………………………………………………………………….. 20
What are Spirit Beads and why should you love them? ………………………………………………… 22
How to add a clasp …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 24
Jewellery Making Techniques ……………………………………………………………………………………… 27
Making Basic Jewellery: Wire Wraps and Loops, Linking Components …………………………… 28
Stringing Beads ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33
Using Jump Rings, Split Rings and Closed Rings ……………………………………………………….. 36
Bead-weaving Techniques: Brick Stitch ………………………………………………………………………… 41
How to start Brick Stitch ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 43
Basic Brick Stitch …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46
Shaping Brick Stitch ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 49
How to follow a Brick Stitch pattern chart …………………………………………………………………… 52
Increasing and Decreasing in Brick Stitch ………………………………………………………………….. 55
Circular Brick Stitch ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 57
Two-Drop Brick Stitch ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 60
How to join Brick Stitch pieces …………………………………………………………………………………. 62
Peyote Stitch versus Brick Stitch ………………………………………………………………………………. 63
Brick Stitch with Shaped or Multi-Holed Seed Beads ……………………………………………………. 66
Bead-Weaving Techniques: Daisy Chain …………………………………………………………………… 67
Bead-Weaving Techniques: Herringbone ………………………………………………………………………. 69
Starting Herringbone Stitch ……………………………………………………………………………………… 71
Basic (Flat) Herringbone Thread Path ……………………………………………………………………….. 73
Tubular Herringbone ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 74
Herringbone Spirals ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 75
Bead-Weaving Techniques: Netting ……………………………………………………………………………… 77
Bead-Weaving Techniques: Peyote Stitch …………………………………………………………………….. 79
Even Count Flat Peyote ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 80
Odd Count Flat Peyote ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 83
How to follow a Peyote Stitch chart …………………………………………………………………………… 87
Shaping Flat Peyote Stitch ………………………………………………………………………………………. 90
Diamond Peyote Stitch ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 94
Zipping Peyote Stitch………………………………………………………………………………………………. 96
Tubular Peyote Stitch ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 98
Handy Tip: Starting Tubular Peyote Using a Special Tool …………………………………………… 102
Cellini Spiral ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 105
Increasing and Decreasing …………………………………………………………………………………….. 108
Circular Peyote Stitch ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 111
Peyote Triangles ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 113
Two-Drop Peyote Stitch …………………………………………………………………………………………. 116
Stitch-in-the-Ditch Technique …………………………………………………………………………………. 119
Counting Peyote Stitch Rows …………………………………………………………………………………. 122
Freeform Peyote Stitch ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 124
Peyote Stitch with Superduos and Twin Hole Beads ………………………………………………….. 126
Tips for Reading Peyote Tutorials for Dimensional Beadwork ……………………………………… 130
Joining Peyote Stitch to Right Angle Weave ……………………………………………………………… 134
Bead-Weaving Techniques: Right Angle Weave (RAW) ………………………………………………… 137
Basic Right Angle Weave (RAW)…………………………………………………………………………….. 140
Good Tension for Right Angle Weave (RAW) ……………………………………………………………. 146
Tubular Right Angle Weave ……………………………………………………………………………………. 148
Modified Right Angle Weave (MRAW) ……………………………………………………………………… 151
Two Needle Right Angle Weave ……………………………………………………………………………… 153
Prismatic Right Angle Weave (PRAW) …………………………………………………………………….. 155
Cubic Right Angle Weave (CRAW)………………………………………………………………………….. 157
Diagonal CRAW …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 159
Bead-Weaving Techniques: Spiral Staircase Stitch ……………………………………………………….. 161
Bead-Weaving Techniques: Square Stitch …………………………………………………………………… 163
How to do square stitch …………………………………………………………………………………………. 164
Contents of Volume 3
Contents
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Beading Tips ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
The Golden Rule of Beading ……………………………………………………………………………………… 4
How to start bead-weaving ………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Beads for Bead-Weaving…………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
Making Bead Substitutions ………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
How many beads in a gram? ……………………………………………………………………………………. 14
How do you decide which clasp to use? …………………………………………………………………….. 17
Using Pinterest as a Beader: 3 Top Tips ……………………………………………………………………. 19
How to get good beading tension ……………………………………………………………………………… 22
Improve your beading tension with this one simple tip ………………………………………………….. 25
How to size a bracelet …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
How to choose beading thread …………………………………………………………………………………. 31
How to cut beading thread for a professional finish ……………………………………………………… 34
Stash-busting beading projects ………………………………………………………………………………… 36
Confusing beading terms explained for beginners ……………………………………………………….. 38
How to finish a big beading project without getting overwhelmed …………………………………… 40
How to get over beader’s block ………………………………………………………………………………… 42
How to increase the size of a beading project …………………………………………………………….. 45
What is “advanced” beading? …………………………………………………………………………………… 47
Using Peyote Pattern Charts ……………………………………………………………………………………. 49
Making beaded tassels and fringes: professional tips …………………………………………………… 52
Exploring Colour in Beading ………………………………………………………………………………………… 55
What is colour theory? …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 56
Bead colours: do they matter? ………………………………………………………………………………….. 60
What are colour values in beading? ………………………………………………………………………….. 62
Colour intensity in beading ………………………………………………………………………………………. 63
Bead colour combinations: how they work ………………………………………………………………….. 66
Which bead colours work together? ………………………………………………………………………….. 69
Beadwork colour schemes: five tips ………………………………………………………………………….. 71
The perfect colour scheme for beading ……………………………………………………………………… 72
“More is more” when it comes to bead colours ……………………………………………………………. 74
How to create a bead colour bible …………………………………………………………………………….. 76
How to create a colour scheme from an image that you love …………………………………………. 77
How to find colour schemes that already work …………………………………………………………….. 79
The dangers of choosing bead colours from charts ……………………………………………………… 80
Advice on creating your own designs ……………………………………………………………………………. 83
What is a beadwork design?…………………………………………………………………………………….. 84
How to create a beading design if you can’t draw ………………………………………………………… 87
Designing beadwork is a metaphor for life! …………………………………………………………………. 89
How to draw beading diagrams ………………………………………………………………………………… 92
What is beading design software? (BeadTool4) …………………………………………………………… 94
How to write a beading tutorial …………………………………………………………………………………. 96
How to teach beading ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 99
Copyright: essential reading for everyone ……………………………………………………………………. 103
What is copyright? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 104
Beadwork copyright ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 106
Bead designs and copyright …………………………………………………………………………………… 110
Copying beading patterns: 3 reasons not to do this! …………………………………………………… 114
Another perspective on copying beadwork ……………………………………………………………….. 118
Scam beading websites: how to spot and avoid them…………………………………………………. 120
Beading Competitions ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 123
How to find beading competitions ……………………………………………………………………………. 124
Four top tips for succeeding in beading competitions …………………………………………………. 125
Photographing beadwork for competitions ………………………………………………………………… 127
Earning money from beading …………………………………………………………………………………….. 131
How to price handmade jewellery ……………………………………………………………………………. 132
How to price a beading tutorial ……………………………………………………………………………….. 136
How to price a custom order …………………………………………………………………………………… 139
More thoughts on pricing ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 141
Create a brand for your business ……………………………………………………………………………. 142
Create a logo ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 143
Photographing jewellery ………………………………………………………………………………………… 145
Selling jewellery at craft fairs ………………………………………………………………………………….. 153
How to start an Etsy shop ………………………………………………………………………………………. 156
Starting a jewellery business (for beginners) …………………………………………………………….. 159
Bead kits for jewellery: what should they contain? ……………………………………………………… 162
How to sell beading and jewellery tutorials ……………………………………………………………….. 166
Selling beading patterns using SEO ………………………………………………………………………… 168
Selling more beading tutorials: the magic formula ……………………………………………………… 172
Publishing your beadwork designs ………………………………………………………………………….. 174
Economics of publishing ………………………………………………………………………………………… 175
Getting published in magazines………………………………………………………………………………. 177
Self-publishing in the beading world ………………………………………………………………………… 181
Publishing beading books with a publishing house …………………………………………………….. 184
Praise for Bead-weaving Techniques
“Thank you! This is fantastic! Now I will try to start to bead! This is what I need to get started.”
Ewa
Praise for Advice on Designing and Selling
“I greatly appreciate all the advice your website contains on writing tutorials, publishing patterns and selling jewelry as it is particularly helpful to someone such as me who is just beginning to venture into this area of the beading world! Your website is a treasure trove of info!”
Nithya
Praise for Tips to Improve Your Beading
“Your “cheat” method is genius! I think it makes for a neater and more finished look to our bead work!Thank you.“
Alwina
More Beading from Katie
If you are already fully confident in all your beading skills and don’t feel the need for any of these books, then it’s time to check out my beading tutorials. So, follow this link to find out more about those and where you can get them!