ABCs of Creativity - S is Seed Beads

There are two type of seed beads, the natural ones and glass drawn ones. Seed beads are small uniformly shaped beads that come in an enormous range of shapes, sizes, colours and finishes.

Czech seed beads with iris, silver-lined, matte painted stripe and opaque finishes.
From "Beader's Paint Box", 2013 seminar

I'm concentrating on the plethora of round seed beads made of drawn glass though there are many other styles, i.e. bugles, created by the described process. In the 15th century on the island of Murano near Venice, a hollow mass of glass was literally drawn or pulled into a long tube like taffy. This glass cane tube was then cut into small pieces to produce seed beads which were then tumbled to soften the edges and graded. The secret made its way out of Murano and a glass industry developed in the Bohemian forest and mountains of todays's Czech Republic.

A section from an engraving showing glass being drawn.
The plate is from Grands Hommes and Grands Faites de L'industrie, 1880.
courtesy of www.bigbeadlittlebead.com

New processes and machines were invented in the 1860s and bead makers were able to achieve uniformity of colors and size in beads. Since the end of the 17th century, Czech beads became a major production item. Bead became more accessible to the people in Europe and beadweaving and bead embroidery exploded. They also became a trade item to Africa and the Americas.

Chieftan's headdress with seed bead birds on beaded base. Yoruba, Africa
Seen at African Village Show in Tuscon, 2013 

Beadwork on souvenir items by Iroquois, Mohawks, Tuscarora. Note seed bead card.
Naomi Smith Collection, ON, 2005

"Gerdany" reproductions and original designs for sale at a Festival in Ukraine, 2013
 Netting and loomworked bracelets, chokers and a stylish "V'
courtesy of  Irena Halaschak on FB

In the early 20th century a machine was invented which automatically drew glass tubes. The Japanese seed beads industry developed in the mid 20th century and boasts a great variety of high quality seed bead styles and finishes. They created a cylindrical bead, i.e. Delica®, which has oversized holes for thread. These work well in mosaic-like (Peyote) stitching and generally are not interchangeable with round seed beads within the same piece. 

Round and cylindrical beads are sized by aughts, a number based on how many beads fit within a given measurement. The aught numbering system ranges from a larger 1/ to a very fine grain of sand 24/. 

Aught # on left. Note how many beads fit in a centimeter.
courtesy of Lisa on FB

Here is my Aught Bead Guide with historical names and modern uses:

1/ or 2/ = crow bead

3/ or 4/ = trade bead

5/ or 6/ = pony bead

6/ is a larger bead used for modern beadweaving and knitting

8/ = called “medium” bead in Rypan tutorials

8/ is a midway between the 6/ and 10/ or 11/ and used for modern  

             beadweaving and knitting

10/ or 11/ = fine beads used for beadweaving, knitting and embroidery

10/ seed is commonly used in First Nations beadwork and 'gerdany'-making
            10/ Czech is interchangeable with 11/ Japanese in Rypan patterns

11/ Japanese is a very common fine seed bead

11/ Czech seed bead is smaller than 10/

13/ = Charlotte bead has an additional facet to reflect light

15/ = very fine bead 

15/ is the smallest bead in modern production

18/, 20/, 22/ = very tiny beads which are no longer in production.

The higher the aught #, the tinier the bead. 

              These tiny seed beads are only in old beadwork in museums and collections worldwide

Czech 8/ medium sized; 6/ purple-lined pony; 2/ purple-lined crow;
Japanese 11/ silver-lined fine seed bead
 Wisteria Textured Net for narrated Netting Primer 

Rocailles are round seed beads with a lining inside the bead creating in Venice. These used to have a silver lining (s/l), but today refer to any type of color or metallic lining. Preciosa®, the largest Czech manufacturer still refers to the round seed beads as rocailles and divides them in uncoated and coated categories. Many undergo further finishes.

10/ s/l gold and brown rocailles with a touch of s/l blue on navy iris were used in M Rypan's netted kllim
This kilim was my first article,"Ukrainian Netting'', Bead and Button, Jun 2003
 Indigo Kilim kit or pattern, 2004

The round seed bead has two distinctly different shapes depending on manufacturer. The Czech seed beads are more donut-shaped and tend to stretch out a charted design within certain techniques, i.e. loomwork and pictorial mosaic. They are sold loose or strung in hanks. The Japanese beads are more square-ish with rounded corners. Never mix the two seed bead types within a beadwoven or loomwoven pattern because the shapes are distinctly different. Mixing different shapes and sizes is fine in stringing, some netting and herringbone styles.

Cylindrical beads are flat and fit nicely together in pictorial type of stitching, i.e. mosaic or loomwork. Because of their shape, they then to flatten out a charted pattern so you need to make many more repeats to reach your desired length.

Iva's Daisies  using Delica cylinder beads by M Rypan, 2003

Mosaic Daisies using 8/ seed beads by M Rypan
Mosaic Daisies kit, 2004

Innovations never cease. Now we have hybrid beads which where some Japanese beads are sent to the Czech Republic for their traditional finishes. This collaboration yields unique brilliant beads.Today’s description are lengthy because they makers are constantly experimenting with new finishes. Even transparent beads have AB coatings.

Start of a textured Herringbone with hybrid Picassa olive (Sour Apple) 6/,
#2 s/l amethyst, rainbow rosaline/op. purple-lined 11/, deep magenta-lined AB hex beads

The Sour Apple 6/ hybrid beads really give this herringbone zing
Beaded Soutache Herringbone kit, 2012

Finishes affect the perception of the bead especially when they are placed amongst other beads or backgrounds. Matte beads recede. The opaque color seem to come forward. Silver-lined beads reflect light. Transparent beads look great in windows with light behind them, but change drastically when against skin color or used in small doses within a beadwoven pattern.

Iris beads have and Aurora Borealis finish and no longer are limited to a few classic metallic finishes. 

Color placement of seed beads can totally alter the look and mood of a piece.

Netting with silver-lined red on green iris background by M Rypan
 Red Green Kilim kit, 2004

Same netting pattern with metallic gold on green iris. Note s/l red beads
Mediterranean Kilim kit, 2004

Making samplers to test best effect for Netted X's and O's using French 8/ seed beads
for Millefiori Netting X's and O's in ANPT, Summer 2012
Blue Chevron X's and O's kit, 2013

Lustered finishes reflect light. Ceylon pearls are more transparent and are affected by what’s around them. Op. white pearl is a brighter amongst other bead types.

Pearl-tipped Twig Cascade commissioned for Katrusia's wedding, 2012
Twig Chip Cascade Netting Pattern - downloadable 

Seed beads are brought to life by various techniques:

Bead embroidery on a sheep skin 'kyptar' vest from Bukovyna, Ukraine, 1950's
 Maria Rypan Collection, 2008

Bead embroider and 'tsyrka' whitework trim on 'sorochka' chemise
from Kitsman, Bukovyna region, 1950s
Nastasiya Marusyk Collection, IL 2007

Bead embroideed 'sorochka' using cut and round seed beads
from Kitsman, Bikovyna region, 1950's
Nastasiya Marusyk Collection, IL, 2007

Loomwork using colors of seed beads to recreate traditional embroidery pattern on left.
Stylized interpretations for contemporary medallion styles and swag finished 'gerdany'
Master Craftartist Maria Chulak, Pyadyky, Kolomyya region, Ukraine, 2006

Vanessa reinterprets the rose in the Diagonal weave, Bead Fx April 13
Top: 3-color Rhombic Medallion Pattern
Mid: Diagonal Rose Medallion Pattern

Color placement of the seed beads create a dynamic pattern
beaded by Barbara Glennon, NJ, 2011
based on M Rypan pattern in Netted Mesh Collars: Lessons #1

Original Zigzag netted collar with a three step increase with design created bicolour placement seed beads
Created for workshop at ROM in conduction with "Legacy of Scythian Gold" exhibit
Netted Zigzags downloadable pattern 

Netted Triple V's with silver-lined accent and contrast beads creating the design
 done in a vintage black iris bead by M Rypan
Triple V kit, 2000
Triple V pattern included in Jagged Mesh Net: Lessons #2 book

Beaded pysanky beadwoven with a variety of techniques. Several start off with netting. Some are squarestitched and tapered on ends with mosaic (Peyote)stitches
by Luba Frankevych, at Vernissage, Lviv, 2013

Color and beadweaving technique creates this style.
Start beading in the center. Add swags last.
 Deep V Cascade kit or pattern, 2001

Seed beads are donut-shaped and fall with the hole up making it easy to peck them and slide up onto needle when using a Chinet® paper plate surface. These plates enable beading to be a very portable activity when tucked into a ziplock bag along with a mini kit of beads, clippers, needle and thread.

Picking up bead tips in "Beadweaving Basics"on Maria's narrated Netting Primer 

Great guides for all types of beading: BigBeadLittleBead Find out how many beads you get per hank or gram.. What type of thread to use with different bead sizes.

It all starts with two or three different beads colours, a little beadweaving or embroidery and a touch of creativity... 

Happy beading!
Maria

Bead Fest Philadelphia 2013

With only one week until Bead Fest Philadelphia, Aug 23 -25, Maria is enjoying her last weekend in Ukraine. Once home she will be heading to Philadelphia to set up for Bead Fest.

Booth @ Bead Fest 2012

Along with over 350 other vendors Maria will her kits and patterns so you can create your own one-of-kind jewelry. Rypan Designs will be booth #103.

She will have the kits for the netted collar that appeared in the latest issue of Beadwork.

As seen in Aug/Sep 2013 issue of Beadwork

In addition to the many kits and patterns Maria has 4 books with a variety of projects in each. My personal favorite is Assorted Beadweaving, Lessons #2.

The image below is a customer appreciation pass for Bead Fest. Save the image, print it out, fill it in and bring it to the show. You will get weekend pass for only $5 (value $15).

Customer Appreciation Pass Form

Stop by the booth and say hello.

Happy Beading!

Downloadable Patterns

As of August 1 you will be able to purchase a selection of Rypan Designs patterns for instant download. Available here are 15 patterns for $8.95 (CDN) and 1 pattern (neckace & bracelet) for $12.95 (CDN).

Select the pattern you would like, add it to your cart, accept the license agreement and either continue on to pay with PayPal or continue shopping. Once you have made your payment a confirmation email will be sent to you with instructions on downloading the PDF pattern. It is important to know that the link for the download will expire after 24 hours.

Once you have your pattern, print and start creating. You will have a beautiful handcrafted piece of jewelry before you know it!

Here is a look at some of the patterns that are available.

Twig Chip Cascade & Chicklet Bracelet

Chicklet Bracelets

Textured Net

 

Egyptian Net

Triple 'V' Jeweled

Netted Zig Zag

Twig Willow Twist

Please let us know what you think about having access to downloadable patterns.

A big thanks to John Fusco and the team at A Needle Pulling Thread for getting this up and running!

Happy Beading!!

ABC's of Creativity - O is Online Learning

Back in May we covered I is Internet and looked a number of inspiration sources on the web. There were some links that were instructional as well.

This post will focus specifically on many of the resource free and fee based that are available online.

I know that many fellow beaders started by taking a class at a show or bead store with a designer or bead artist. But I know that sometimes you can't get the class schedule to work with your schedule. Online classes help with this problem. Here are two site for online classes.

Maria has recently become an instructor at CraftArtEdu with her Netting Primer. The online classes here are a series of narrated images that take step by step through a project. There are classes available for more that just beading. Well most of the classes have a fee attached to them, you are able to go back and review the class at your leisure. There are a number of free classes.

If you are looking for more jewelry making lesson, then take a look at Beaducation. Here the classes are video presentation. You are able to view and review at any time. Written instructions come with all but the free classes.

Of course in addition the these class specific websites you can find many how to videos on Youtube. Here is Maria's video for her Diagonal Weave bracelet.


Here is Cathy Lampole demonstrating how to finish a strung bracelet.


I am recently come across Wikihow.com. Like wikipedia it combines the knowledge of many people to be shared with the world. Wikihow looks to create step by step instructions for everything. I used it recently to learn how to make Chinese sliding knots to finish a necklace. The animated step by step instruction are accompanied by written instructions. The great thing... it is all free!

Back in I is Internet, I mentioned following designers' blogs for inspiration. Many of your favorite designers sell kits and/or patterns for their designs. Some with use a site such as Bead-Pattern.com to sell their patterns but also check their individual websites. Some even have some free patterns, tips or tutorials to share with you.

Here are some of my favorites - Jean Power, Diane Fitzgerald, Cindy Holsclaw, Kerrie Slade, Cathy Lampole and Julia Pretl. And starting on August 1, 2013 you will be able to purchase downloadable patterns from Rypan Designs!!!

Your favourite bead magazine likely has patterns from past issues for sale on their sites as well.  Here are Bead and Button, Beading Daily and Bead (UK).

I hope that you finding a new source of instruction on the web!

Happy Beading!

Spring Creativ Festival

Here in Toronto we are wondering if spring is going to be chased away by a Winter Storm Warning today. But a sure sign of the arrival of spring is the Spring Creativ Festival. It is only two weeks away, April 26 & 27, 2013.

This 2 day Toronto area show is at the International Centre in Mississauga. Free parking and free seminars are two great selling points for the Spring Creativ Festival. Purchasing your tickets online before the show will allow you to enter @ 9 am before the general opening @ 10 am. Your advance tickets also make you eligible to win one of two $900 shopping sprees.

In addition to having a booth (#372) with our kits, patterns and books, Maria will be presenting three informative seminars.

Yes! You Too Can Bead!
Welcome to the world of beading! Great visuals illustrate all there is to know about the plethora of beads, metals, stringing materials, beading wires, wire gauges, tools and findings available in the world of beading. Gain confidence to discover or perfect your own beading style! Vancouver Room - Fri 9:30 

Beadwork: The Finishing Touch
Learn how to finish your beadwork like a professional. There are many clasps, stringing materials, crimps and bead tips from which to choose. Maria shares tips and tricks for finishing off your beadwork project. See how to add a new thread, crimping tips and more.  
Vancouver Room - Fri 12:30 . Sat 2:30

 

Beader's Paint Box  
How do you get your beadwork to pop? Maria shares a little bit of colour theory with lots of examples to show how to place bead colours, finishes and metallics against each other. It's easy and will soon become intuitive!
Vancouver Room - Sat 11:30

Stop by the booth, #372 to pick up a kit or pattern for some spring beading!

Our beaded soutache bracelet or necklace kits create an elegant textured band. The addition of the stone pendant changes the look of the necklace.

This video was recorded at last spring's Creativ Festival. Maria is demonstrating her diagonal weave bracelet using triangle beads. We will have a selection of diagonal weave kits to make this fun and easy beaded band.

For those with a stash of beads (big or small) we also have patterns as well as Maria's four books.

We look forward to seeing you at the show. Hopefully the weather will be more spring-like that weekend!

Happy Beading!

Beaded "Pysanky" Eggs

Article by Maria Rypan, Spring 2011

Hot off the press! In time for Easter! My article about "Beaded "Pysanky Eggs" has just been published in the Canadian needle arts magazine, A Needle Pulling Thread, Spring 2011, pgs. 90-93.

"Pysanky", batik-style Easter eggs, are inherently Ukrainian. Purists shudder at the beaded "pysanka's" very existence. Some artists refer to the traditional motifs and designs for inspiration, but use beads to decorate eggs so the patterns become stylized.

Personally, I think there is a place for beaded eggs in this day and age. They may not have the talismanic powers of the real "pysanky", but they are beautiful and bring joy to the recipients.

This article talks about the different ways of applying beads on eggs in a "pysanka" style. Photos illustrate various methods and give an appreciation of how each and every bead is applied or beadwoven. Since no two eggs are the same, the article gives plenty of guideline for beading your own.

Several artists beaded "pysanky" illustrate the different application (gluing or beeswax) or beadweaving methods. Many photos and tips come from Vira Pavlova Witkovska's work. Vira is holding her butterfly ostrich egg while I show off her trident ("tryzub") egg at my last visit to the Vernisage in Lviv. Ivano Frankivsk teacher Maria Golovan kindly provided me with the step by step beadweaving photos and basket full of "beadwoven" pysanky. There's even a bead embroidered and stuffed one in the basket! There's no end to creativity!

Spring 2011, ISSN 1715-4650

Thank you to editor Carla Comanico for suggesting this article after she receiving my metric carton of beaded "pysanky" card. Get your issue for the maximum appreciation of this art form and other needle art projects.

Christmas on the Julian Calendar

Christmas tree at home, MI

Best wishes of a Blessed and Peaceful Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Creative New Year.

"Embroidered" satin ornaments by Maria

I was on my hands and knees late Monday a week ago photographing my 9 easels for the International One of a Kind Exhibit at JOGS in Tucson. Once I finished the easels, the Christmas tree in the corner of the room caught my eye. It was unique and magical...

It dawned on me the tree decorations were mostly homemade. My mother Martha (1927-2001) made plastic canvas snowflakes with each of her 4 granddaughters and I made all the satin sequins ornaments. She decorated this artificial tree with every one of my "embroidered" balls, mixed in solid colored ones and added silver garland. Now Nina, my step-mother, makes an annual trip up the stairs with the tree all-decorated and puts it into the icon corner. Afterwards she takes it downstairs.

The designs on the satin balls were inspired by Ukrainian embroidery patterns. I had an artistic license and used sequins to render the designs in traditional or contemporary color motifs. The outer circumference of the balls were fairly thin and allowed sequins on tiny head pins to be easily pushed in one at a time. The same was true for the box of satin thread bell and rondelle-shaped ornaments. It was best to steer clear of the thicker plastic near the hanger or bottom. The ornaments were created during my late high school/early college days. Each one was then tied on a ribbed curly ribbon. I'm amazed at the quality of that ribbon! And the satin balls have held up so well 40 years later! May the tradition continue for many more.

"Embroidered" with sequins & pins

Веселих Свят та Щасливого Нового Року!