Fading Away

You know it can happen. You hear other people talk about it happening. But you never think it will happen to you. Well, today it happened to me.
There is a woman I work with who has purchased several peyote rings from me. Today she came up to me with one that had been her favorite. It was originaly made with a variety of lovely blue size 10 Delicas, some matte and some shiny. When she showed it to me today it looked like it had mange. Many of the shiny beads had lost their color. Looking at them, I can now see that the color was only applied to the inside of the bead. As this is her favorite ring, she wore it a lot. The constant wear caused the beads to move around on the thread. Moving around on the thread wore the color away. Dammit.
Live and learn I guess. Just annoying cause I thought I already "knew". She is not too upset with me, and I am going to give her a good deal on a bracelet I have made that she likes to make up for it. Still just really frustrating. Luckily, this is the only ring I made with that mix. *sigh*

Quote: Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better.
John Updike (1932 - )

All About Seed Beads...

Seed beads are a fun medium to work in. They allow for a beadweaver to create a very detailed image or pattern in their work. However, many people are unsure of the difference in the types of seed beads available. Here is my breakdown:

Cylindar beads (Delicas, Toho Treasures, Aikos) provide a very even fabric when woven. Because the sides are straight and not curved, they fit together well with little space between the beads.
Czech seed beads provide a more textured fabric. The beads are more rounded on the outside and thus show more space between the beads.
Miyuki, Matsuno, and Toho are Japanese manufacturers of seed beads. They make both the rounded seed beads similiar to Czech seed beads and cylindar beads.
Delicas are made by Miyuki. Most people find that Miyuki beads have a better consistancy of size and shape than Toho or Matsuno, and thus require less culling. The exception would the the Toho Aiko line - they are as consistant as they get, no culling needed.
Culling - almost all seed beads will require culling. This is the process of going through the beads and seperating those that are too big, too small, or mishapen. Some people keep these and use them to assist with shaping the beadwork when doing more complicated work, others just throw them out.

So, what beads you use depends on what effect you want. It is entirely
a matter of personal preference and the effect you are going for.

Quote: Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards.
Lois McMaster Bujold, "A Civil Campaign", 1999