What sort of projects do you feel are lacking in current beading publications and books?

 What sort of stitches would you like to see more use of?

 What do you feel you would like to see a new take on?

 What are you already so bored of seeing?

 What would be refreshing for you to read in the next beading book/mag?

 I am specifically asking this to seed beaders, but aspiring seed beaders can answer too.

 All musings welcome!

It depends on the magazine that you look at, but as a subscriber of 4 of them - I'd say they do pretty well covering the trends and the projects.   Bead & Button especially covers the best, and has the most projects to offer.  Some of the newer ones, that are for the people with more basic skills - are going to have to branch out into a few more detailed pieces if they want to keep their subscribers.  There is one in particular that I stopped getting because it was TOO simple.  Just not inspiring enough.
I am an intermediate/advanced beader, so really, I've seen and done pretty much all of the stitches.  Maybe a bit more on bead embroidery, and some more wire flowers would be fun, too.
I am bored with peyote patterns.  There are TONS of them out there.  Everyone seems to want to put everything they see on a pattern.  I am a more free-form, intuition type beader - it's more creative than following a pattern.  I've done them - and have some beautiful pieces to show for it - but the pieces that just come from inside are the more rewarding ones.
I would like to see more features on some of the vendors that travel across country in their RV's to sell their beads - and the adventures they have, people they meet, etc.  More human interest - without taking away from the projects of course!

Usually I don't take time for Q&A, but this is an interesting, and results could be profitable for seed beaders!

 What sort of projects do you feel are lacking in current beading publications and books?

The techniques associated with 'finishing' a loomed project. There are many ways to handle that, but more books then not, tend to want to show the finished pieces more then elaborate on the techniques. Too many, published books, are centered around being 'personal journals of the author' and highlight their portfolio of completed pieces, instead of a reference book on techniques.

 What sort of stitches would you like to see more use of?

The basis for any seed beader, to be interested in a mag/book, is to create 'wearable art' with seed beads. It must be intricate to the look and durable to the feel. There are only so many stitches that can be considered, as I am sure that the creativety of 'new stitches', if not already, is running dry! There for, I think creating along the lines of reinventing ways to use the patterns in pieces, that would include other jewelry making mediums, would be very interesting.

 What do you feel you would like to see a new take on?

The dimension of beading. Does it always have to be in a 2-D pose?

 What are you already so bored of seeing?

BEAD EMBROIDERY!

 What would be refreshing for you to read in the next beading book/mag?

Historical insights, are always interesting. There is so much to learn and it can bring up new creative ideas, reliving many past accomplishments!

     _______________

Thanks for allowing us time to offer some pesonal feelings about something we all love to create around.....BEADS!!!

Erin

What sort of projects do you feel are lacking in current beading publications and books? The techniques associated with 'finishing' a loomed project.... What sort of stitches would you like to see more use of? The basis for any seed beader, to be interested in a mag/book, is to create 'wearable art' with seed beads... What do you feel you would like to see a new take on? The dimension of beading. Does it always have to be in a 2-D pose? What are you already so bored of seeing? BEAD EMBROIDERY! What would be refreshing for you to read in the next beading book/mag? Historical insights, are always interesting. There is so much to learn and it can bring up new creative ideas, reliving many past accomplishments!

Interesting questions.  I know what I like, but it was hard to think of what's lacking in the bead circles I travel in...

What sort of projects do you feel are lacking in current beading publications and books?

Although many publications show really amazing spiral rope work, there are rarely ever instructions on how to make the variations.  I'd love to see more spiral rope projects with embellishments and interesting techniques.

What sort of stitches would you like to see more use of?

I agree with previous posts - I'd like to see more international styles of beadwork, even if the stitches are very advanced...especially if they are very advanced.  It would create a new challenge for experienced beaders, and a goal to reach for with intermediate beaders.

What do you feel you would like to see a new take on?

I like anything that uses herringbone stitch, and I'm happy to try out new variations of it.  Even ideas on how to create patterns of color within beadwork could be useful and interesting.

What are you already so bored of seeing?

Flat peyote stitch.  I'm not crazy about pattern work, so flat peyote feels old hat to me.

What would be refreshing for you to read in the next beading book/mag?

I would love to see a detailed article about beads themselves.  Where/how are they made?  What do all the different names mean - what's the difference between a seed bead and a charlotte?  What are the correct terms for different bead finishes?  A sort of "Get the Facts Straight Once and For All" article to help everyone get their beading lingo down.

Thanks for the interesting thread!

I really do not like to be critical, but my suggestion for Bead and Button is this:  I belong to a bead group and most of the ladies are very advanced.  I am intermediate.  We all complain about your intructions being too difficult or just not decipherable sometimes.  I wish you could do a better job of editing the instructions.  I love Bead and Button Magazine and wouldn't give it up for anything!

And another thing.....just kidding.  I would love to see another Beading Stitches magazine!

I would like to see discussions regarding the pros/cons and ratings/rankings of tools.  Maybe a yearly update?  I'd like to learn more about needles as there seems to be a wide variety of sizes, types, lengths, and flexibility.   Add threads to the list as well, as there seems to be a new ones added into the mix on a regular basis - which ones need to be stretched and conditioned and why or why not; how do I pair each together to achieve the right outcome? How about a little tips section in each issue?

Have you thought about one or more projects for people at each experience level in each issue? I'd like to see more herringbone projects - without using the ladder stitch as a starting foundation.  I'd like to see how to create a crochet rope without having to crochet it - is it even possible?

I'd like to see detailed information that demystifies those "simple" instructions like: why do I need to tie a knot when doing a tubular stitch?  How do I create the "right" tension for the stitch/project?  What is a support band, how is it used and why do I need one?  Do I really need a stop bead?

Thanks for listening! 

Perhaps more focus on the Native American roots of bead weaving … and how or if it’s a surviving art form among the remaining Native American population.

All that said ... I love your magazine and more often than not I find projects in each issue that I want to make.  It's also funny I'll go back into my older issues and find things that didn't sing to me then are singing to me now!  Keep up the good work and thank you for the opportunity to provide feed-back!

I Agree about B and B's instructions.I am a intermediate beader and for the life of me I have never been able to figure out one of the patterns.They are so confusing even the easy ones.I think they need to update and take a good look at the way they write and explain patterns.

 As for projects..I do not like free form projects.Sorry to all who enjoy them but I have never seen one that I like.I guess I am to anal for the process.LOL! I'm tired of peyote and Raw. I would love love love to see more japanese stuff.

I would love to see articles about the history of beading and also would love to see an article about the whole process of how Czech beads are designed (the new nuguat style and rondells, Squares,!How the come up with the color's.

Also more in earring's

What sort of projects do you feel are lacking in current beading publications and books?  I love to make beaded beads, and it would be great to see more articles on them.

What sort of stitches would you like to see more use of? I, too, would enjoy more articles on Russian spiral. Beading Stitches magazine had a section on it, but would like to see more variations. I'd also like to see more patterned tubular peyote.

 What would be refreshing for you to read in the next beading book/mag? I'd really enjoy reading an in-depth article on how seed beads are made. For companies to be able to make size 15 seed beads with such consistency, or 13 Charlottes with a flat cut on to each, and then to do it at such an affordable price is nothing short of amazing.

I travel to Europe every year or two, so would love to see in the article the website/contact information of bead companies. I would definitely make a trip to see the factories where they are made.

I am tired of the just stringing patterns.  We need projects with more depth.  Also more information on supplies.  Can never find them.  Not only to do the patterns in the magazine but for all of my beadins.  I only do seed beads so they are always welcome.  I never tire of bead embroidery as that is my forte.  Am not so fond of clay.  It should be in a separate publication.  Right angld weave is always great,  I love peyote and freeform work because of the excitement of the pieces.  Love the articles on beading in other countries and cultures.  Also articles of how different beads are made.  Hate jewelry made with found materials.  Junk belongs in the trash can.  There are enough bag ladies without my being another one. 

Netted patterns, christmas ornaments, beaded beads, loom work. I don't wear much jewelry and so much of what is presented in magazines is just that.  I would like more decorative items also. I live in the "boondocks" and there is no beading group near my town. I have to get inspiration from books, magazines, and the Internet.  I would love a pattern for a beaded table runner. 

I am bored of seeing simple made necklaces and bracelets (almost all of the them using the same idea with different beads and beading wires, chain or leather)

What I would love to see is ideas and ways of making jewlery gifts for men and kids, things that can be used in mens' office and maybe most of all I would like to see ideas for home decoration (for example I have an idea for a small chandelier around my room's light balb but I am not sure I can do it the easy way)

Thank you

Rena
 

I confess: I am not a seed beader. I make jewelry with large, bold beads and use seed beads or small gemstone beads to accent the large elements. However, I do have several comments:

• one more peyote stitch bracelet and I will scream
• ditto for the flowers - they remind me of 1950s junk jewelry from Japan, then China, Korea, ... I've seen too many of them poorly done to have much interest in the style in 2008-9.
• where are the advanced projects? Even as a non-"seeder", I see few patterns beyond my capability.
• more ideas, concepts, components to mix and match with other projects. Beaded bails, new trends, mixed sizes.
• ideas and designs for mini purses and boxes might be fun, especially leading into holidays
• Look at HISTORY: the Native American beading was highly skilled, very imaginative, and competed without patterns or computer programs. Several Midwest museums and an old monastary in Missouri have wonderful examples of this amazing work 

Many comments indicate beaders are ready for the next step. One novice pattern per issue is enough - we don't need an entire issue of one technique unless it is an issue devoted to devloping a technique from novice to experienced.

Sorry, GrayCat,  I do not agree with you.  I love big,bold neclaces too, but the challenge is in off-loom beading.  Not every subscriber is advanced either.  I get very tired of stringing necklaces.  And what are you referring too when you say "Flowers"?  Flower beading is a very, very old art and true it is not everyone's "cup of tea".  I think there is room for every bead art as long as it is not trashy and overly simplistic.  I for one love a challenge.

What sort of projects do you feel are lacking in current beading publications and books?

What sort of stitches would you like to see more use of?

What do you feel you would like to see a new take on?

What are you already so bored of seeing?

1. What sort of projects do you feel are lacking in current beading publications and books?

The projects that are lacking in current beading publications and books are any kinds of projects that use czech seed beads as the material. I see way too many that have delicas as the material and because I don't use delicas I have a very hard time finding any project that doesn't contain delicas. It is because of this only finding patterns that use delicas, I don't have a prescription to any beading magazines.

2. What sort of stitches would you like to see more use of?  

I would like to see less Peyote and more of any other kind of stitches. I would especially like to see more netting projects like the doilies you had months ago. I would also really love to see something on Saraguro beadwork and how to do it.

3. What do you feel you would like to see a new take on?

I would like to see a new take on Brick Stitch. 

4. What are you already so bored of seeing?

Delica projects and Peyote.

 5. What would be refreshing for you to read in the next beading book/mag?

Besides a publication devoted to using seed beads I would like it to include the history of beads and how different cultures use and see beads. Plus, I would really like to see something about Saraguro

I think all the publications out there cover the main specifics of beading. No one publication is going to make every single person happy, which is why they are so many out there.I am just as guilty as the next, trying to find the ONE book or mag that I could be happy with. It isn't going to happen. I, unfortunately, have at a minimum, 6 subscriptions to paper and electronic beading mags, a huge number of books which sit on a shelf and collect dust (which I am very good at collecting, by the way) and I am still racking my brain on what I want to do and make. I want to be like those who are creating these ideas and patterns and techniques.

As I understand it, when it comes to B&B, this magazine was started as a beadweaving magazine and will try to offer all the basics in bead stitching and on the lesser side, stringing. This magazine gives a little bit of everything to every type of beader, consistently. The one thing I do see missing, is the "Button" part of the magazine. I had bought quite a few of the older issues, when it first started, and there was quite a bit about buttons and the magazine has more or less forgotten them. I would love to see more on creating with buttons in jewelry pieces. There are beautiful vintage and new buttons out there. I do not mean the easy stringing, but actually incorporating them in the beadweaving process. I am not really good at designing my own thing, but I have been able to figure out a few ways to incorporate buttons into my pieces, and not just as the clasp.

 As far as some of us being "attached" to our magazines and books, I am starting to learn, that I really do not need them all the time. The whole idea, it seems, is to go our own way and create our own masterpieces. I am trying not to be too dependent on the mags and books anymore, just use for reference, if needed, which is supposed to be the point anyway, isn't it? Yes we can make what is shown and build up our jewelry collection, but I think we have to know when to step out on our own.  I have a great mentor who is pushing me to get the creative side of my brain working. It is a long hard process, but I am getting there. I am more satisfied when I make something of my own idea, knowing it is mine and not someone elses.

 So...I think the real question should be....

What do YOU want to do?