Supplies Needed:
Small size gourd cleaned inside and out
Acrylic paint to match or compliment bead colors
Drill with size 3/32 bit size (bit can be a size smaller or
a size larger)
Size 11/o seed beads color of choice
5mm embellishment beads (depending on how many loops are made)
Size 12 beading needle
Size B Nymo beading thread
Bees wax
Lighter
A brief introductory to seed beading and supplies.
There are more than several types and sizes of seed beads available
on today’s market. For this project we will be using Czech,
size 11/o seed beads. Czech seed beads are imported from what
is now known as the Czech Republic. They are sold on hanks,
22 to 24 loops tied at the top to hold them together. There
are approximately 4,300 beads to a hank and colors are available
in every shade and hue imaginable.
Seed beads, as beading needles, are sized by gauge, the larger
the number, the smaller the bead or needle. I suggest using
a beading needle that is a size smaller than the beads. The
drill holes are not always uniform. The size 12 beading needle
will slip through the drill holes easily and several times,
if needed.
(Note: Sewing needles will not work for seed beading. The sewing
needle is tapered from eye to point. The beading needle is the
same size from eye to point.)
Beading thread. Many years ago Belding Corticelli
Company made a thread specifically for beaders called Nymo.
It comes in many sizes and colors. For general seed beading,
B is the size of choice. It must be run through a piece of bees
wax. By doing this you are conditioning your thread. It removes
any stretch from the nylon cotton blend and helps the thread
from fraying and knotting as you bead. Wax often as you bead.
To singe your thread. When needing to knot
off your working thread it is much easier to singe the ends
with a lighter than trying to tie a knot. With a lighter and
using only the heat of the flame, not the flame it self, bring
it close to the ends of the thread. The heat will melt the nylon
and form a ball that will cool to a hard knot. Practice this
a few times. If you use the flame, it will leave an ugly black
end.
Beading techniques. This project finds me
wondering what beading technique would be suitable for novice
beaders. It seems only fitting to introduce you to the Peyote,
or Gourd stitch. There are two ways of creating this stitch,
traditional or contemporary. I have chosen the easier modern
style; so let’s get started.
Once your gourd is cleaned and painted as desired, drill holes
approximately ½ inch apart around the top of the gourd.
Wipe away any dust with a clean towel.
Run about a yard of thread through the bees wax then place
on the needle. Double your thread and singe the end with a lighter.
From the inside of the gourd run the needle through one of the
holes, making sure the thread doesn’t slip through.
The foundation row. Pick up as many beads
that will fit nicely between the first two holes in the gourd.
Then run the needle through that second hole. From the inside
of the gourd run your needle back through the first hole and
through all of the beads again. Pick up enough beads to fit
to the next hole and repeat previous step. Continue this around
entire gourd. At this point it doesn’t matter if you have
an even or odd number of beads. Your needle should exit the
first bead sewn on.
Start of foundation.
Foundation finished.
Row 1. This will start the Peyote stitch.
It is like laying bricks. Pick up one bead. From where your
needle is exiting, skip the next foundation bead, and run your
needle through the third foundation bead.
Pick up one bead, skip the next foundation bead and run your
needle through the following foundation bead. Continue around
the gourd until you have reached the last pick up. Here you
will run your needle through the last foundation bead and the
first bead sewn on in this row. This is called the step down.
Your needle is now in position to start your row #2.
All the rows are done the same. Make as many rows as desired
to fit the top of your gourd.
If you run out of thread weave your needle back into your work,
cut the thread leaving about 1/16 of an inch and singe the end.
If you are not comfortable doing this, tie a knot and cut thread
as close to the beads as possible.
With a new thread, singe the end and weave your needle back
to where you left off. You may mark this bead with a thread
or slip a different needle into it so you know your place.
Foundation
and first row.
Working Peyote stitch.
Step down.
Foundation with two rows finished.
Weave
needle into work to change thread.
Finished
rows.
Once your gourd is beaded you will want to add some embellishments.
Loops are easy and add an elegant touch. First count the number
of beads you have on the row. It is best to have an even number
of beads. Tip: If your foundation row started
with an odd number of beads, every other row will have an even
number.
For the gourd shown I looped every 5 beads and used a 7 bead
pick up. Make your loops as short or long as you desire. Pickup
7 beads, the embellishment bead and 7 more beads. Run your needle
through the 5th bead over. Continue around the row until finished.
Weave your needle and thread into your work, singe or knot off
the end.
Sewing on loops.
Good
job every one!
Bio. Nicole Campanella has been beading, teaching,
and selling her beadwork for over 30 years. She launched her
Beadwright business in 1987 and began publishing her work in
1994. Her Beadwright gallery and beading supplies are available
at www.nicolecampanella.com
Thank you for your project submission, Nicole!!!
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And here's his picture....
