'WOYWW 2/27/2013 - Lucious Lovely Fabric Beads - Freebie Tutorial!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes


Howdy and welcome,

For WOYWW, wanted to share these wrapped fabric beads on my table that I just finished making - plus the tutorial based on how they were made!

Photo credit:
David Daruszka for Creative Media Wizards

I used red  fabrics from Maria's stash that I recently 'inherited'.

She had a box of handmade blue fabric beads in her stash - that were incredible. I had never seen fabric beads before...I had seen samples of wrapped paper beads in the past, but I always thought they were ugly. I examined Maria's fabric beads under my magnifying light to see how they were made. Then I made mine - but a bit differently. 

DURATION

I made my beads over the course of one week...Here's a tutorial if you want to try your hand at this!


Tutorial


SUPPLIES / MATERIALS LIST

· Beads - assortment of small beads and seed beads

· Coffee stirrer straws – smallest diameter

. Containers - small divided containers -  I used containers from The Container Store

. Craft mat

· Fabric scraps – cotton (minimum of 2” x 6”) - I used about 6 different patterns. I tried different types of fabrics and blends - but only cotton worked for me

· Fibers - assorted thin scrapbooking fibers - I used eyelash novelty yarns and metallic

· Glue - for this project I experimented with several (White glue, Fabric glue, 3-in-1 (my fave for this project))

· Paint - gold acrylic paint - 2oz. bottle

. Paper towel

. Palette (optional)

· Quilting ruler (or metal edge ruler)

· Rotary cutter (any size)

· Round-nose plies

· Scissors - fabric

· Scissors - Tonic

· Stamps – rubber or acrylic - foreign sript and foreign text designs

. Styrofoam scrap from old packaging - approx. 12" x 3" x 3"

· Toothpicks - equaling the number of beads you want to make

. Water spritzer

· Wire – assorted colors of thin gauge craft wire (I used black, red, gold) small enough to fit through your beads

. Wipes

· Wire cutters

PREP COMPONENTS

1. Stick a toothpick in Styrofoam every inch - make 2 or 3 rows, staggering the placement of toothpicks between rows.
2. Cut some coffee stirrers 2 inches long - then cut a few to 1 inch. Set aside in container.
3. Cut short length of fibers approx. 1 3/4" long. Set aside in container.
4. Cut wire approx. 3" long - one wire for each bead you are making.
5. Using round-nose pliers, make a loop on one end of wire. Set aside in container.
6. Cut cotton fabric into rectangular strips measuring 2" x 4" using rotary cutter or fabric scissors. I chose red fabrics with gold prints or bold prints.
7. Cut cotton fabric strips into long triangles with a 2" base.

GOLD STAMPING

1. Alternately stamp script or text on right side of fabric triangles using gold acrylic ink. Dry overnight.

WRAP FABRIC

1. Lay stamped fabric triangle wrong side up/right side down on craft mat.
2. Squeeze a thin line of glue onto triangle about 1" from base and 1/4" from each side of triangle.
3. Place straw between base and glue.
4. Wrap fabric tightly around straw pressing base of fabric triangle into glue.
5. Hold straw and fabric with left hand.
6. With right hand, squeeze a thin line of glue down center of triangle stopping 1/4" from tip.
7. Continue rolling fabric tightly around straw, smearing glue into fabric to the tip. Drop bead onto a toothpick to dry overnight.
8. Spritz paper towel with water to slightly dampen it.
9. Wipe glue off craft mat with damp paper towel. Then dry craft mat with dry paper towel
10. Clean glue off your hands with wipe - then dry your hands on dry paper towel.
11. Repeat steps 1-10 until you have made all the beads you need for your project.

TRIM ENDS

1. With the Tonic scissors, lightly trim the two ends of each bead so that the straw is flush with the fabric. Also use the fabric scissors if the fabric starts to fray. Set aside in container.

PAINT ENDS

1. Lightly dip both bead ends into a puddle of gold acrylic paint - enough to cover the fabric edges and hide the straw. Use a palette - or I used the paint inside the bottle cap. Drop onto a toothpick to dry overnight.
2. Repeat step 1 for all remaining beads.

WRAP FIBER
 
After fabric has completely dried on the toothpicks, it's time to wrap bits of fiber around each bead.
 

1. Squeeze a very small drop of glue onto center of bead.
2. Choose one matching or contrasting fiber.
3. Wrap fiber diagonally onto bead in a spiral going from top to bottom clockwise, while smearing glue in the center of fiber. Don't glue the fiber all the way down - leave each end unglued a little with the fiber sticking out.
4. Drop bead onto a toothpick to dry overnight.
5. Spritz paper towel with water to slightly dampen it. Wipe glue off craft mat with damp paper towel.
6. Clean glue off your hands with a wipe - then dry your hands on clean paper towel.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 until you have wrapped all the beads with fiber you need for your project.

WRAP WIRE / STRING BEADS
 
Goal is to string 10-20 beads per fabric bead.

1. Hold fabric bead in left hand vertically.
2. With your right hand, place wire loop on left side at top of fabric bead - and press loop down with your left thumb.
3. Holding bead in left hand, hold wire in right hand, tightly wrap one wire diagonally in a spiral going from top to bottom clockwise, stringing 3-5 beads every 360 degree turn as you wrap the wire. Leave a 1" tail at end of wire.
4. Make a loop at end of wire and press loop tightly to bottom tip of bead. If wire is too long, cut a bit off before making the final loop.
5. Admire your handiwork!

NOTE:  These fabric beads are suitable for hanging on the wire binding of an altered book, art journal or scrapbook. They are NOT suitable to wear for necklaces, earrings  or bracelets because of body oils and perspiration.

Let me know if you try this technique. Send me a link to a photo of your fabric beads on your blog or website.

Thanks for stopping by - and please leave a comment.

Here are more artist desks for WOYWW if you want to take a peek!

Peace,
LuLu

GIVEAWAY! LIBRA De-stash! FREE Giveaway! Deadline: Extended! More pix! More Info!

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes  

You could win these supplies!

Sample journal of what you can make with the mixed media supplies in this huge Giveaway!

Sample of what can be made with Giveaway supplies!

Is your birthday coming? Have you had a birthday? Post a comment - you could win!

LUCKY LIBRA LADY FOLLOWER - BIRTHDAY FREE GIVEAWAY!

September is my birthday month and I'm celebrating with my Followers by offering a FREE giveaway! 

So if you are a Libra lady celebrating your birthday on Sep 27th or celebrating your birthday on Sting's birthday Oct 2nd, indicate that in your comment and you could win!

I have put together some HAPPY MAIL / de-stash items for one lucky Libra (or other) birthday girl! See list of free GIVEAWAY goodies!

ELIGIBILITY

Any LIBRA lady in continental USA is eligible over 18 years of age. If your birthdate is Sep 27th or Oct 2nd (or close to those dates) you could be the winner! You must have an email address.

You do not have to be a Follower to enter.

But there is a Bonus for FOLLOWERS! Followers get a extra little something-something!

See below if your birthday is in September or October!

WHAT IF MY  LIBRA BRITHDAY IS NOT YOUR'S OR STING'S?

A birthdate on, or closest to, either of these 2 dates (9/27, 10/2) will be the lucky winner! Up to two winners - one lady born Sep 27th and/or one lady born Oct 2 (or closest birthday).

WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH THE GIVEAWAY?

Giveaway de-stash items will be a grab bag of new and gently used mixed media supplies selected from my various studios. These supplies are ideal for creating junk journals / smash books / glue books / flow-ish journals / bullet journals / art journals.

Giveaway Includes:

Update: (a $450 value)

1. ·          A5 bullet journal - partially prepped/setup/page numbered by me with pen test pages, index pages, Key / Icon / Color Code page, plus stamped page title borders, and page title cartouches (ESSENTIALS, 8”x5.5”, dot grid, archival, acid free, ribbon bookmark, back pocket),A5 calendar / journal  – dated, obsolete, blank, twin-wire,
2. ·        junk mail journal – ready to paint and embellish (wirebound by me),
3. ·        Tote - 18 pocket tool tote – foldable,
4. ·        Tote - crocheted hobo purse (thrift store find),
5. ·        Adhesive - glue stick,
6. ·        adult coloring pages – assorted sizes (owls, nature, mandalas, etc.),
7. ·        book pages (vintage, old, foreign, dictionary, etc.)
8. ·        colored pencils (in repurposed marker tin) – warm tones,
9. ·        craft mat – new (RANGER), 
10. ·        embellishments (metal, resin, paper, TIM Holtz, and more),
11. ·        embroidery floss on bobbins – wound by me (primary colors),
• NEW! Embossing supplies for heat embossing,
12. ·        envelopes - assorted sizes, types, materials 
13. ·        Fabric - Designer upholstery fabric samples,
14. ·        fabric scraps -  quilter’s cotton,
15. ·        Fiber - Twine (striped),
16. ·        file folder -decorative for coloring,
17. ·        lace seam binding,
18. ·        markers - STM, FINELINE + MORE (assorted warm & cool tones),
19. ·        papers - deli paper (plain and painted),
20. ·        Papers - gelli print papers, 
21. ·        papers - painted wax paper,
22. ·        Papers - scrapbooking papers - patterned scraps, 
23. ·        papers - vintage sewing patterns,
24. ·        pen - fountain pen with refill cartridges (JINHAO),
25. ·        pen - FRIXION erasable pen with refills,
26. ·        pen pouch - clear with elastic divider loops (KAREN FOSTER),
27. ·        pens – glitter gel, black gel,
28. ·        Post-its – 2”,
29. ·        Ribbons - assorted lengths,
30. ·        Rub-ons with craft stick - Asian style alphabet,
31. ·        Scissors – one pair micro scissors,
32. ·        Stamp pad - STAzON permanent ink pad,
33. ·        stamp pads - Dye ink pads – assorted minis,
34. ·        stamps - clear with acrylic block – assorted themes,
35. ·        Stamps - Rubber stamp set – mini alphabet in Mimi pouch + divider tray,
36. ·        Stencil – mini alpha-numeric,
37. ·        tabs – adhesive back,
38. ·        tins – Altoid tins - empty,
39. ·        Tool - water brush,
40. ·        Tools - watercolor brushes – assorted tips/sizes,
41. ·        washi tape rolls – partial,
42. ·        washi tape sample cards – wound by me,
43. ·        yarn samples – super bulky,
44.          plus more mystery goodies [not shown],
45.          plus free complimentary shipping.

HOW TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

 

Leave a comment on this post only with your name and birth date - birth year not needed.

WHEN IS EXTENDED DEADLINE?

EXTENDED Deadline is 12:00 midnight CT on Nov 30, 2020.

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

I'll announce winner's name during the week of Dec 15th on this blog, in a new  post.

HOW DOES WINNER GET PRIZE?

INFO NEEDED FROM WINNER in DECEMBER 2020 - 2 IMPORTANT DATES

          Before midnight Dec 22, 2020 CT, Winner must email me (use the 'Contact' form in right           sidebar) with their email address.

          I will contact the Winner via email  requesting the following info that Winner must email           to me before midnight Dec 27, 2020 CT.        

1. copy of their ID (see below) - in body of email,
2. their snail mail address (no P.O. boxes)

About COPY of ID  

To claim your prize, winner must email me a photo copy (in body of email - not as an attachment) of their ID  showing your name and your birthdate.  ID copy can be your state D/L, your real ID, your passport.

IMPORTANT: (On your copy, be sure to mask out/cover your SSN and address and any other private/confidential info before uploading to body of your email).

WHEN WILL WINNER GET PRIZE?

After I get the above info by the deadlines.

          I'm planning to ship the Winner's prize around Dec 31, 2020. I'll email tracking                         number to Winner.

FREEBIES and TUTORIALS

Also, check out all the Freebies and Tutorials while you are visiting my blog.

Thanks for stopping by - Happy Birthday and GOOD LUCK!