WHAT IS BEADWORK AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Bead work is so beautiful! Not only for the way it looks but for its history too. Centuries ago, the Indigenous population of Southern Africa laid the groundwork for this craft as we know it today. The jewelry artisans created was believed to ward off evil spirits and protect against spells. Beaded jewelry also served as good luck charms.
These Indigenous creators produced abstract designs, colors and patterns in their jewelry, resulting in breathtaking beauty. Women predominately created these designs and it wasn’t long before this idea traveled across continents, inspiring others!
While beading started centuries ago it is still very prominent today. Let’s dive into how contemporary artists continue this venerable craft.
DIY BEADING PROJECTS USING BEAD SPINNERS
Exquisite beaded jewelry leaves us in awe with its endless forms, shapes, designs and patterns. We laud beaded jewelry for its authenticity of being handcrafted or handmade. Long ago, when this craft was created, each single bead was strung by hand.
However now it is much easier. Perhaps you’ve heard of a bead spinner or bead stringer? Where string beads in the traditional way can take hours, a bead spinner reduces this to minutes.
Imagine the time saved! That’s time for creating more designs. A bead spinner is a huge win for improving efficiency, and beaders are producing more work than ever before. As a result, bead crafts are making a big comeback.
The creative opportunities with a bead spinner are practically limitless. Keychains, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry are all options, as well as rugs, clothing, and more!
WHAT DOES A BEAD SPINNER DO?
A bead spinner is a tool that makes bead working faster and more efficient. It normally consists of two main parts: a base (the stand) and an upper chamber (the bowl) which spins. It also includes a needle with a slight curve to the tip. This helps draw up the beads and ensures they flow onto the thread.
Following these simple instructions will help get the best outcome.
HOW DO YOU SPIN A BEAD?
Fill the bowl with your beads but be careful not to overfill the bowl. As you spin the base, the centripetal force makes the beads shift to the edge of the base and slide onto the needle.
Its also important that the needle is angled properly, to allow the beads to slide with ease. Trial and error will be your best friend here, so be kind and patient with yourself! You’ll get the hang of it in no time.
The base must spin at a steady pace, but don’t spin it too fast, as spinning it gently seems to be more efficient. And here’s a pro tip – lay a towel underneath the bead spinner to collect spilled beads.
HOW DO YOU USE A BEAD SPINNER NEEDLE?
This bead spinner is meant to work with seed beads, These happen to very small, but try using larger beads too. Speaking of which, the needle plays an important role, because you don’t want the needle to be too thick. Otherwise, the beads don’t fit at all! Always double check the thickness.
Hold your needle with curved tip toward the inside of the bowl. Give the spindle a whirl, turning so the beads are spinning toward the needle.
While the bowl is turning, dip the tip of the needle inside the bowl near the edge of the beads in motion. This is where it takes practice: holding the needle at an angle that helps the beads feed onto the line. Don’t worry if the beads fly out! With practice you will learn how to control this.
“I feel compelled to write a review because of all of the poor ones before this. This thing is amazing. I have zero complaints. Used with size 8/0 beads to make waist beads and took 15 minutes for a first time”.
GET YOUR OWN BEAD SPINNER
With the volume of bead spinners out there, it’s hard to find the perfect one. The Home Smart Bead Spinner comes highly recommended. Shop LC bead spinners are quality checked, and come in several options, including haldoo, pin, and teak.