Soutache Bead Embroidery

A soutache is narrow flat decorative braid, a type of galloon, used in the trimming of drapery or clothing.

It is also used in jewellery making, often combined with beads and cabochons.

Famous artists:


Rina Mor

Dori Czengeri

Anneta Valious  
http://www.mylovelybeads.com/php/newsletter/200811/anneta1.html

Anna Lipowska LiAnna

Dzi Beads of Tibet

Ancient and pure dzi beads of Tibet are extremely precious and rare. No matter how many or how few eyes they bear, all Dzi beads possess the mystic power of bringing luck, warding off evil, stabilizing blood pressure, guarding against apoplexy and enhancing body strength. Owners and wearers of these beads are blessed with unexpected credit, luck and perfection. Dzi beads are unique collectibles.
 The meaning of the Tibetan word "dzi" [གཟི།] translates to "shine, brightness, clearness, splendor". In Chinese, the bead is called "heaven's bead" or "heaven's pearl" (天珠).

Healing Beads

 Here are some not well know, but not less powerful healing beads, as used by various cultures:

Rudraksha Beads

Made from the berries of Rudraksha tree, they have been used by Hindus (as well as Sikhs and Buddhists) as rosary at least from the 10th century onwards for meditation purposes and to sanctify the mind, body and soul. Rudraksha is also used for treatment of various diseases in traditional Indian medicine.

Story Beads

Non-denominational prayer and meditation beads for healing, spiritual growth, and telling your own story

 

 

 

Baltic Amber 

 Apart from various known healing powers of amber, amber necklaces are used as  Baby teething remedy. Wearing baltic amber close to the skin is a traditional European remedy for baby teething. A natural analgesic, amber will help calm a baby without resorting to drugs. Used for centuries in Europe, amber's natural anti-inflamitory and pain relieving properties are perfect to soothe teething babies.

Worry Beads  

In Greece, they are called komboloi, and probably evolved from komboskini κομποσκοίνι, the Greek prayer rope but has no more religious meaning, and it is used to pass the time, relieve stress, and by people who want to limit smoking. Armenians also have their own worry beads which serve the same purpose as the komboloi and are also non-religious in nature.

 

Magnetic Beads

 Magnetic therapy is a system based on the idea that bodies form an electro-magnetic field that respond to the healing power of magnets, this is because iron makes up about four per cent of blood content and every ion - or atom - contained in cells produces an electrical impulse, these three elements make up bodies own electrical magnetic field.

 

 

My first beaded painting

Healing Beads

• Beads, creativity, and healing are related. 
• Beads help us to break through the walls of doubt and criticism that prevent us from exploring our full artistic potential.
• Beads are a pathway to greater creativity and source for personal healing.
• If you want creativity, if you want to develop your artistic abilities, work with beads. 
• Beads are inherently creative due to the infinite variety of their colors, shapes, sizes, materials and texture.
• This artistic medium allows you to be like a child in a castle, every room filled with unique, challenging and beautiful toys, and hours to play with them.

 

• - Beads are good therapy and much cheaper than a therapist.
• - Beads bring beauty and a creative force to our lives that is healing and nurturing.
• - You and I are worth it; and we don’t have to sell our work to prove it!
• - Beads are valuable, whether they’re in a drawer, on our works-in-progress, or on a finished piece.
• - Making things with beads, even simply holding or looking at them, connects us to our artistic side, our creative force.

Robin Atkins (extracts from her book "One Bead at a Time")

Online Beadshops

Online Shops
Cranberry: www.cranberry.net.au (Ultra Suede, Nymo thread, needles, seed beads, cabochons etc)
3rd Rock: www.3rdrock.com.au ( cameos, caboshons)
Beads Online: www.beadsonline.com.au
Space Trader: www.spacetrader.com.au
Feeling Inspired: www.feelinginspired.com.au
Wholesale Beads (Cheltenham): www.wholesalebeads.com.au
Shop 51, 148 Chesterville Rd, Moorabbin VIC 3189, Australia
Beads Venue: www.beadsvenue.com.au
Polymer Clay: www.polymerclay.com.au (Ultra Suede, ring and bracelet bases)
Oz Beads: www.ozbeads.com.au
Gems & Beads International: www.gemsandbeads.com.au
AE Metal: www.aemetal.com.au (silver and jewellery supplies)
Shops
Ajit Gems: http://ajitgems.com/ (gemstones and silver)

Room 904B, Level 9, Century Building, 125 Swanston Street, Melbourne - VIC 3000

P: 61-3-96392241

E: ajitmel@bigpond.net.au 

Koodak: www.koodak.com.au (silver and jewellery supplies)
Company Name: Koodak Jewellers Supplies (Vic) Pty Ltd
Opening Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday
Email Address: koodak@koodak.com.au
Contact Phone Number: (03) 9654 5811
Address: 4th Floor, 125 Swanston St, Melbourne 3000 Vic
Maria George (beading and embellishments):
179 Flinders La, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
 (03) 9658 7333

My Favorite Bead Artists

Bead Embroidery:

Sherry Serafini http://www.serafinibeadedjewelry.com 

Heidi Kummli http://www.freespiritcollection.com

Robin Atkins http://www.robinatkins.com

Bead Artwork:

Beverly Choy http://www.mylovelybeads.com/php/newsletter/201004/vampi1.html

Tatiana Van Iten http://www.beadsky.com/tatiana_van_iten.php

Eva Maria Keiser http://www.mylovelybeads.com/php/newsletter/201104/eva1.html