25 Nov 11 Easy Methods To Experiment Bead Craft And Patterning: Starter Tips To Beginner

Among the most complex and tricky aspects of bead craft is the notion of patterning. The human eye reflexively seeks out and identifies patterns, and our brains are designed to parse data in smaller, easily ordered chunks. Thus, the reason phone numbers, social security numbers, and the like are broken into smaller chunks: 555-1212 vs. 5551212.

Sometimes, a novice to the world of beadwork will be tempted to just use whatever is on hand, and the outcome will be haphazard randomness. Now, it’s true that this approach can often yield attractive outcome. There is, however, an increasing body of evidence indicating that symmetry and identifiable patterns are one of the keys to defining what we see and understand as “beauty.” A student of bead craft would do fine to take these lessons to heart, which brings us back ’round to the importance of patterning as it relates to your beadwork.

Beadwork patterns could be as simple or as compound as you would care to make them, though I’d recommend less complicated designs for the amateur, with increasing difficulty as a natural addition of experience. And don’t think that an easy pattern will create unattractive results! The simplest pattern of all is 1-1-1, best embodied by the classic strand of pearls. Easy. Stylish. Timeless.

Still, a lot of people get into bead craft as a form of self presentation, and among the methods that expression manifests itself in the interest is through the magic of the pattern.

Many people (both novices and experts in the bead craft world) spend hours upon hours experimenting with arrangements until they hit upon anything that is truly compelling. More general though, especially to those new to beadwork, is a sense of intimidation. This is unlucky, but the overwhelming majority of hobbyists will outgrow that fear as they gain more bead craft experience.

Still, if you’ve recently taken up beadwork as a hobby and find yourself struggling with the complexity of developing your own patterns, you can get a lots of websites on the web providing bead craft pattern ideas and examples. Make use of these in your designs, and before very long, you will possibly find yourself thinking, “I like this pattern, but wouldn’t it be neat if…” and almost before you know it, you will be on your way to creating your own, wholly unique beadwork.

Anybody can, in a matter of minutes, learn the fundamental mechanics of bead craft, but the real artistry, and the part that takes longer to master, is learning the art of patterning. My suggestion to learners would be simply this: Try developing bead craft patterns on your own, but don’t force it. If it’s something you’re struggling with, search out bead craft resource web sites on the web for pattern ideas and practice with those. Earlier or later, something will “click” inside your head, and you will find yourself branching out in your own way.

Patience and practice. They are the real keys to mastering the craft, and coming up with original, innovative beadwork.

Get more great beading ideas on our website: http://www.beadcraftideas.com/

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