A beading world

Posted Thu, Mar 26 2009 2:57 PM by lweiss

We hear from readers all the time, asking us to include more projects and techniques from around the world. I think we’d have to work pretty hard to avoid it! Beading is such a multicultural hobby. Right now I’m surrounded by great pieces using a variety of techniques from around the world, many of them designed by some of our international contributors.

Here’s a peek at some of the international beadwork you can find from Bead&Button:
• Our June issue’s Stitch Workshop will feature St. Petersburg chain, a Russian stitch.
• In May, you’ll find a free online project from Hatsumi Oshitani, one of our favorite Japanese beaders. Mark your calendars so you can check out her “What’s the buzz?” St. Petersburg chain bracelet when it’s available online May 1.
• Subscribers should check out Singapore-based designer Cynthia Poh’s colorful “Bollywood Cuff,” our March online project.
• On BeadAndButton.com, you can find patterns from a number of international contributors. Look for a bracelet pattern by French designer Pascale in April, and another by English designer Judith Hind in May. And Lynne Soto is currently loomweaving a bracelet based on an Eastern European folk design, which you’ll find on our Web site in June.
• In our August issue, you’ll find bracelets using the kumihimo technique from Japan, and a beautiful collar influenced by the Xhosa designs of South Africa.
• If you can make it to the 2009 Bead&Button Show, you’ll find teachers, jewelry designers, bead makers, bead sellers, and just plain old bead lovers from around the world. We had representatives from more than 40 countries last year! I’m looking forward to learning more about Chinese beading in Valerie Hector’s master class, and having the chance to come face-to-face with beaders and vendors from around the world!
• If you can’t make it to the show, but want to connect with beaders from other places, please stop by the forum. We’ve recently met new beaders from around the U.S. and Canada, Ireland, Italy, Australia, and France – and those are just some of the newest members.

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