One of the most complicated and difficult 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 tiny, easily organized chunks. Thus, the reason telephone numbers, social security numbers, and the like are broken into smallish chunks: 555-1212 vs. 5551212.
Sometimes, a beginner to the world of beadwork will be tempted to simply use whatever is on hand, and the results will be haphazard randomness. Now, it's true that this approach can sometimes yield attractive outcome. There is, however, an increasing body of facts indicating that symmetry and identifiable patterns are one of the keys to defining what we see and recognize as "beauty." A student of bead craft would do fine to take these lessons to heart, which brings us back 'round to the significance of patterning as it relates to your beadwork.
Beadwork patterns could be as simple or as compound as you'd care to make them, though I'd advise simpler designs for the amateur, with increasing difficulty as a natural addition of experience. And don't think that an easy pattern will make unattractive outcome! The easiest pattern of all is 1-1-1, best embodied by the classic strand of pearls. Easy. Stylish. Timeless.
Still, many people get into bead craft as a form of self expression, 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 testing with arrangements until they hit upon something that is really compelling. More general though, specially to those new to beadwork, is a sense of intimidation. This is unfortunate, but the overwhelming most of hobbyists will outgrow that fear as they achieve more bead craft experience.
Still, if you have recently taken up beadwork as a hobby and find yourself struggling with the difficulty of developing your own patterns, you can find a number of web sites on the web offering bead craft pattern ideas and examples. Make use of these in your designs, and before very long, you'll probably find yourself thinking, "I like this pattern, but would not it be neat if..." and almost before you know it, you'll be on your route to creating your own, wholly unique beadwork.
Anyone can, in a matter of minutes, learn the fundamental mechanics of bead craft, but the real artistry, and the portion that takes more time 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 are struggling with, seek out bead craft resource sites on the web for pattern ideas and practice with those. Earlier or later, something will "click" inside your head, and you'll find yourself branching out in your own direction.
Patience and practice. They are the real keys to mastering the craft, and coming up with original, innovative beadwork.
Sometimes, a beginner to the world of beadwork will be tempted to simply use whatever is on hand, and the results will be haphazard randomness. Now, it's true that this approach can sometimes yield attractive outcome. There is, however, an increasing body of facts indicating that symmetry and identifiable patterns are one of the keys to defining what we see and recognize as "beauty." A student of bead craft would do fine to take these lessons to heart, which brings us back 'round to the significance of patterning as it relates to your beadwork.
Beadwork patterns could be as simple or as compound as you'd care to make them, though I'd advise simpler designs for the amateur, with increasing difficulty as a natural addition of experience. And don't think that an easy pattern will make unattractive outcome! The easiest pattern of all is 1-1-1, best embodied by the classic strand of pearls. Easy. Stylish. Timeless.
Still, many people get into bead craft as a form of self expression, 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 testing with arrangements until they hit upon something that is really compelling. More general though, specially to those new to beadwork, is a sense of intimidation. This is unfortunate, but the overwhelming most of hobbyists will outgrow that fear as they achieve more bead craft experience.
Still, if you have recently taken up beadwork as a hobby and find yourself struggling with the difficulty of developing your own patterns, you can find a number of web sites on the web offering bead craft pattern ideas and examples. Make use of these in your designs, and before very long, you'll probably find yourself thinking, "I like this pattern, but would not it be neat if..." and almost before you know it, you'll be on your route to creating your own, wholly unique beadwork.
Anyone can, in a matter of minutes, learn the fundamental mechanics of bead craft, but the real artistry, and the portion that takes more time 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 are struggling with, seek out bead craft resource sites on the web for pattern ideas and practice with those. Earlier or later, something will "click" inside your head, and you'll find yourself branching out in your own direction.
Patience and practice. They are the real keys to mastering the craft, and coming up with original, innovative beadwork.
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