Tutorial: Felt beads

[ShiningStar]

Hi,
I just saw this done on tv.  Thanks for the tutorial.  I love the colors for all your pieces. My favs are the first two sets of bracelets and the purple necklace.

How do you make the holes and where do you put them?  Do you use a needle to string them?

[lise]

ShiningStar, you don't need to create holes, you just use a sewing needle to thread them. They're really soft, it's just like sewing through a piece of felt.
Stargirl, I'm not sure what  peyote  stitch is. To be honest I just make up the patterns as I go, but a friend of mine told me it looks like the technique used to make those woven seed beads bracelets with patterns. Okay that wasn't really helpful was it? I can't seem to find the proper translation for what I mean to say  

[cimba]

Really thank you for the tutorial, it's very precious, as the other infos you gave. I also think that is really kind of you giving a tute and inner hints on something you do for a living. You have all my appreciation and admiration for that. I already knew your site and loved all things there 
Thank you again and I will force my lazy self to try that sooner or later!
 

[rachelyra]

hi lila!  I'm a needle felter (make hats, mostly) but have done some wet felting also.  I've never made the beads, though.  I'm planning my wedding right now, including making my dress, and your stuff got me to thinking - of course i should do the beading on my dress in felt beads!  I'm smacking my own forehead at not seeing it sooner.  Then it'll perfectly match the wool dreadlocks i'll be wearing.  brilliant!  thanks for the idea, and kudos on your great site and neat products.

[Elwood]

Those are wonderful. 2 questions, How do you attach the beads to earring posts and How did you clasp the bracelets?

[lise]

Elwood, I use stretch cord for most of my bracelets, thus eliminating the need for clasps. As for the earings, I super-glued the beads to the metal post, and so far the pair I made for myself has held up pretty well, and it's been a few months. Maybe someone else can recommend a stronger glue? I keep hearing about e6000 or something like that and it sounds like though glue. It's not available where I live though so I can't tell you for sure.

Rachelyra.... oh a wedding dress with felt beads embroidered, and felt dreads! I wanna see! Please post pictures after your big day! ( and congratulations by the way!) What color are you making your dreads?

Cimba, Thanks! You should try it, it's really easier than it might seem sometimes, + felt is soooo soft and lightweight, once you try it, you never go back...

[Elwood]

Thanks lise! I phoned around and found some carded wool. Is $10 Canadian expensive for a package of 100 grams?  Oh and one place sells carded wool in batts (sp??) She say they sell for a couple $$ for 10cm.  I'm assuming that will work. Anyways thanks again, my best friend will love her felted creation for her birthday!!

[rachelyra]

I promise there will be a million pictures, of course.  I think i'm going to do a fiery orange-red, maybe shot through with yellow.

I've been procrastinating forever on starting the dress.... maybe the idea of beading it can be my carrot.

[lise]

Elwood, I'd say 10$CA isn't bad for 100 gramms. It's about the same prices I've seen around in North America. I came accross this other source for mixed bags of Corriedale wool, starting at 5.95 US$ I think.
www.fantasycrafts.c om Wool batts would work perfectly as well. (It's wool that has been carded and looks more like.. quilt batting, or fiberfill, as opposed to roving that has been carded in more a rope-like structure.)

Rachelyra, this page has some orangey/yellow beads. It shows how to make variegated beads. (I find their instructions a bit complicated/confusing though, but I thought you might like the idea)

[e.r.i.k.a]

Thank you, Lise for posting pictures of your fabulous creations!  I've been dying to try this myself for sometime now, and although I found a tutorial in a craft magazine I saw at school, I have been unable to find the wool.  Your link suggestions are very much appreciated.

Fantastic website!