Having scoured the web for twin bead projects (a post on that subject will be published on my other blog tomorrow), I had to finally get around to using my bag of twin beads that I got weeks ago.
I felt like beginning withh some beaded beads. Forgot to print out Simone's lovely free project Twin BB so even though it was a project I wanted to do once getting the beads, I ended up with two other designs instead. The big beaded bead was inspired by a pretty design spotted on the blog Micaoldala. (That link is not just for crediting her with the initial idea, but also because I think you should check out her other lovely twin design in that blog post too.)
The design is similar in structure to "hana-ami beaded balls" -- like e.g. this one or this one -- but the 2-hole bead design mean you have to stitch it in slightly different way. Still, if you know how to make that kind of beaded beads, it shouldn't be too hard for you to figure out how to make this ball.
The smaller beaded bead was a pure experiment. I wanted to do something similar to these with five beads on each side. It didn't work as I couldn't "close" the beads in a ring on the back. So I added a third row of beads. If you look carefully you can see that it's not even: one side is flatter than the other. Makes it looks something like a small round cone (cone as in strobilus) or hops.
And that's what I've done with my twin beads so far. Not very much, but at least I can say I've tried them and don't have to feel bad about the unopened bag of beads anymore. Now I have to sketch on new ideas and add some more colours to the stash -- but it'll have to wait until I've finished the challenge entries (and possibly also a small contest entry).
Anyone else that've used the twin beads? I'd love to see some pics of what you've done with them.
They look lovely. Forgive my ignorance (I'm mostly an embroiderer rather than a beader), but what are "twin beads"?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThe Twin bead is a new bead shape from Preciosa Ornela. The special thing about it is that it's got two parallel holes instead of just one, which makes it very different to stitch with and design for. You can read more about it on the manufacturer's website.
There's another small 2-hole bead for seedbeaders, made by japanese seed bead manufacturer Miyuki, called Tila bead. That one's flat and square like a tile.
How interesting. It's good to learn about something new.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a good weekend with lots of stitching time.
Twin beads really make fascinating beaded beads,like the ones you show us here. I think there is something organic to the shape of the beads. The shape is interesting enough to capture your interest. I hope I will be able to buy some twin beads soon and start out with beaded beads.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you find these? Those are amazing! I love what you've done with them!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI got mine from Perles & Co [perlesandco.com], but there are several other shops that carry them too, the ones I know being mostly swedish or european such as Beadedjewelry.se, Robin's Beads, Fru Pärla etc. Haven't seen that many US shops that have them so far. Shipwreck beads [Shipwreckbeads.com] have them and so does Etsy seller Beads and Babbles [beadsandbabble.etsy.com]. I think you can find them at Kandra's Beads [kandrasbeads.com] too.