Beaded Junk

One of the ladies who taught me to bead in Phoenix taught me about beaded junk.  "Everyone needs a box of beaded junk."

For a beader, "beaded junk" is the equivalent to a sketch book.  It's a bunch of projects started but not finished.  It can be a sample of beaded rope that you created to learn a new technique.  It can be be your pieces that you keep as warnings:  "Don't ever try this again!"

The best thing about "beaded junk" is that creating it is a chance to play.  I've started experimenting with beaded ropes and I have made a promise to myself that none of them will be longer than my index finger.  At that length, who cares if I don't like it?  I can make several of them in an evening watching TV.

Currently, I am experimenting with ropes from Wiseman's Beautiful Beaded Ropes, which I highly recommend.  Jill Wiseman uses techniques in her projects you will want to use over and over again on all of your different projects.  Her embellishments turn a plain spiral rope into a showpiece.

Here is some of my beaded junk inspired by Beautiful Beaded Ropes.

Double netted rope

 I am making a necklace for my mom using this stitch.  This is my original sample.

Embellished spiral herringbone stitch

Embellished spiral rope

Herringbone "bubbles"

This didn't work nearly as well as I hoped.  It really needs round beads, not cylinders or hexes.  

Herringbone knots

Inspired by a pair of boots at Birdie's Chic Boutique in Kingwood, Texas.  

Simple herringbone stitch

This piece was originally part of the blue herringbone knots above.  The beads are beautiful, but the color didn't work.  

Embellished right angle weave