My Beaded Book
One of the things I wanted to start doing was adding more video tutorials to the site. So I thought I would give making a video a try. My husband is running the camera and I am turning the pages of my beaded book. This is very primitive and we obviously have a long way to go. But it’s a start and I learned the very basics about how to edit and upload a video. I hope you’ll be able to see a few details on my beaded book.
The front page has a beaded cabochon and a single “zipper” beaded edge.
This page shows various ways of attaching rows of beads singly. The top edge is another “zippered” edge, the side is a single bead and the bottom is two stacked beads.
This page has various ways of stacking beads on top of each other. I have already forgotten what this edge is called but it makes a kind of diamond or vee shaped pattern.
This page is covered with brass washers. The ones on top are covered with buttonhole stitch and one is even beaded. The edge is a rope edge.
This page is various pieces of metal couched down with beads. The top and middle rows are couched down using raised chain band stitch. The edge is one I made up with two stacked beads and then connecting them with three smaller beads to make a “dome”.
This page I designed myself and is supposed to be an iris. It is a solid layer of beads. The edge is another one I have forgotten the name. I would definitely need to reread the instructions to remember how to do these all again.
This is the sequin page. A bit hard to get a good photo due to the shininess. The edge is a “wave” edge.
This is another page I designed myself. I wanted to use another cabochon and the long bugle beads. It looks like an Egyptian eye but the original design was from a birch tree if you can imagine that! The edge is two chains interlaced.
This is the scattered beads page. This is a “lacey” edging.
This page is making patterns with bugle beads. Again, a poor photo due to the reflection of the glass beads. The edge is a connecting type of short fringe.
This is the first fringe page. It shows a variety of ways to make fringe. The edge is a branched fringe edge. This edging took nearly a full tube of seed beads.
This is the last page and is another showing different fringes. The edge is made up of all different kinds of fringe and is a bit extravagant.
And here is the binding which is done with raised chain band and I added a bead between each stitch for spacing. The book weighs over a pound and I did add a beaded tassel after this photo was taken. You can see it in the video above. I enjoyed making this book but it is probably the only one I will ever make. I hope you enjoyed seeing it closer. It was part of my homework for my Level 2 Stitch Class at the Gail Harker Creative Studies Center.
24 thoughts on “My Beaded Book”
I really enjoyed the video – well done. Did you use special photography lights because the lighting is perfect.
The book has lovely deep colour and it ‘sounded’ lovely when you handled it – I bet it feels good in your hand.
What an achievement.
Thanks Lyn. We didn’t use any lights other than what i have in my studio room. I have a really bright light by my sewing machine. The book is actually really heavy for it’s size but it does feel good to handle.
A beautiful book! Can i have it? 🙂 Kidding. But thanks for sharing. I may use some of your ideas in my bead embroidery.
What a beautiful book, your husband did a good job with the video, ali
Thanks! I’ll tell me husband that you liked the video.
What a huge undertaking, it’s really beautiful and a future family heirloom I should think.
It did take a while to comlete – thanks!
Lovely work. Thank you for sharing. Great job with the video.
Thanks Nan!
Wow, that is an amazing book. The binding is incredible.
Thanks Judy – I love that type of binding. It really works well and holds the pages together nicely even though they are heavy.
Ruth this is wonderful..Love it Love it! I have done only a little beading but am now encouraged to do more. The book concept is great, you are a very gifted artist and I do enjoy your posts.
Thanks! I never did much beading before but I did enjoy this book. The secret is doing small sizes so you can add lots of beads so they will make an impact. The book pages are only 4″x4″.
Ruth your book is amazing, you’ve done a beautiful job and your hubby did a great job with the video, I still dont think it would be toooooooo heavy to send down under lol
Thanks Karen! I was asked to find out how much it would be to ship a box to New Zealand – the box was 18″ x 18″ x 18″ and weighed around 10 pounds – it was going to cost $600+ to ship. I know my book isn’t that big but the shipping charges are getting to be outrageous. I could fly over to see you for cheaper 🙂
Your bead book is gorgeous, Ruth 🙂
It looks like the kind of thing you see in museums or galleries in glass cases.
Thanks Zed – perhaps I should just start my own museum 🙂
Fabulous Ruth and the binding is perfect. The video was great.
Thanks Ann – more videos to come 🙂
I loved the video. Yes it needs a bit of work but what I like a lot was the sounds as you turned the pages, the love and care you showed as you straightened some pages out nd the feeling of weight the book has. What a wonderful little book and a great first video!
Thanks Miriam. I didn’t actually think I would like beading the book but now I do love it and it is a piece I am proud of.
Wow ruth there outrages prices, so when you come over you can just bring it with you lol
Ruth , your book is amazing! And the video very pleasant to watch. Good job!
I am wondering what the pages were made of .
Janie
Thanks Janie! The pages are made from 70/30 rayon/wool felt that was hand dyed. Nylon organza was fused on to both sides of the felt.