Grassdancer Headband

[savanalady]

I've designed a pattern for a headband that I'd like to make for my fiance. I've decided to do it in peyote flat stitch. I'm all ready, buuuut......I don't know where to get my beads. I went to Crazy Crow and I found German seed beads, italian, czech, etc, etc. I didn't realize there were so many types? which do I use?? (I'm planning to bead with size 11/0 for this project but I like 14/0 most of the time)

[legalstraight]

I am partial to Czech beads-
The italian and french beads are ok, and come in some off colors, but the the czech have the largest variety of colors in the most sizes. Also with a little experimentation you can get the french and italian beads in sizes that match the czech.

If you want it to "sparkle" you can use cut beads rather than the standard czechs.

I know some folks that swear by the japaneese miyuki or whatever they are called beads- and yes they are more uniform and consistent with the sizing and have fewer beads that you have to discard, but in my experience they shred your thread, and in loom work they end up looking like tile beads.

[savanalady]

Thanks for your reply! I was super confused with all those types.

Here's an added question: What if I wanted to make the white sparkle (background color)? Could I use cut beads for the background and regular czechs for the designs and the beads would be the same size?

[legalstraight]

2 ways to get sparkle

As for your background, yeah like a size 11 cut and a size 11 regular should be basically the same size- note that I say basically, because even within a size and style there is variation (I use 12's for big projects and 15's for nice stuff) but there are some colors that I get a size larger or size smaller depending- it takes time to figure it that out.

You also want to try pearlized or opalescent beads, my wife uses these instead of cuts, not sure why but I stay married 'cause I don't ask too many questions, they are essentially your regular size bead and color with this funky coating on the outside like a glaze.

One of the reasons that people use Japaneese beads so much these days is because if you go to your local bead shop (if you are lucky enough to have one) most likely the only seed beads they carry are japaneese 'cause that is what the hippies are usin' I guess. And it is easier to actually see the beads and kinda match 'em up before you buy them.
Also, if you do go to a bead store be very leery of places that have "antique" or "heirloom" colors or beads with seed beads- with a very few exceptions they are over charging you for something that you can still buy for the same price out of a catalogue or from a good dealer. There are exceptions, but they are rare.