Taking Beads Off

[Riverwoman]

Say you have this beaded piece, and want to remove some beads, and fill that back in with beads of the same kind and color. Can that be done without starting all over again? Maybe just crimp the beads off with a needle nose pliers? Just wondering....

[Kakeeya]

That depends on what type of beadwork you're talking about. If you mean applique beadwork, after removing the beads you have to also remove the leftover threads so your new beadwork will lay flat.

[Riverwoman]

Originally posted by Kakeeya
That depends on what type of beadwork you're talking about. If you mean applique beadwork, after removing the beads you have to also remove the leftover threads so your new beadwork will lay flat.

I see, so then it can be done eh? I mean it is an applique piece which I wish to remove the beads, and fill in with background color

[Kakeeya]

Yes it can be done! I asked someone to do some beadwork for me and I paid them to do it but when I got it back, I didn't like it cuz it didn't lay flat. So I took it apart and redid it, after that, I learned a hard lesson that if you want something done right that you have to do it yourself.

[Riverwoman]

Originally posted by Kakeeya
Yes it can be done! I asked someone to do some beadwork for me and I paid them to do it but when I got it back, I didn't like it cuz it didn't lay flat. So I took it apart and redid it, after that, I learned a hard lesson that if you want something done right that you have to do it yourself.

Thanks:) That is what I figured. I just want to replace a word on the beadwork, and replace that with a background color. How did you manage to keep the others from falling off?

[Kakeeya]

You just have to follow the threads and take out only that specific beadwork.

[Tibiki Kinew]

Originally posted by Tahemet
Thanks:) That is what I figured. I just want to replace a word on the beadwork, and replace that with a background color. How did you manage to keep the others from falling off?

To stop your beads from falling off you can also start your thread way over and go through the ones away from your pattern in a zig zag motion and then replace the bead pattern and finally lock your thread down in a section that you didn't touch. This is actually a technique frequently used in the wampum stitch due to the fact that wampum belts changed as history changed. That is why this is my favorite way of beading freehand.