Among the most complicated and difficult elements 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 smallish, easily ordered chunks. Therefore, the reason phone numbers, social security numbers, and the like are broken into smallish chunks: 555-1212 vs. 5551212.
Sometimes, an amateur 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 often yield attractive results. There is, however, a rising body of facts indicating that symmetry and identifiable patterns are one of the keys to defining what we see and understand as "beauty." A student of bead craft would do well to take these lessons to heart, which brings us back 'round to the significance of patterning as it relates to your beadwork.
Beadwork patterns can be as simple or as compound as you would care to make them, though I'd advise simpler designs for the amateur, with increasing complexity as a normal addition of experience. And don't think that a simple pattern will create unattractive outcome! The simplest pattern of all is 1-1-1, best embodied by the classic strand of pearls. Simple. Elegant. Timeless.
Still, a lot of people get into bead craft as a form of self presentation, and among the ways that expression manifests itself in the interest is through the magic of the pattern.
Many people (both beginners and experts in the bead craft world) spend hours upon hours experimenting with arrangements until they hit upon anything that's really compelling. More common though, particularly to those new to beadwork, is a feeling of intimidation. This is unlucky, but the overwhelming most of hobbyists will outgrow that fear as they obtain more bead craft experience.
Still, if you've recently taken up beadwork as a hobby and find yourself struggling with the complexity of developing your own patterns, you can find a number of websites on the web providing bead craft pattern ideas and examples. Make use of these in your designs, and before very long, you will 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.
Anybody can, in a matter of minutes, learn the basic mechanics of bead craft, but the real artistry, and the portion that takes longer 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 do not force it. If it is something you are struggling with, search out bead craft resource websites on the web for pattern ideas and practice with those. Earlier or later, something will "click" inside your head, and you will find yourself branching out in your own way.
Patience and practice. These are the real keys to mastering the craft, and coming up with original, innovative beadwork.
Sometimes, an amateur 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 often yield attractive results. There is, however, a rising body of facts indicating that symmetry and identifiable patterns are one of the keys to defining what we see and understand as "beauty." A student of bead craft would do well to take these lessons to heart, which brings us back 'round to the significance of patterning as it relates to your beadwork.
Beadwork patterns can be as simple or as compound as you would care to make them, though I'd advise simpler designs for the amateur, with increasing complexity as a normal addition of experience. And don't think that a simple pattern will create unattractive outcome! The simplest pattern of all is 1-1-1, best embodied by the classic strand of pearls. Simple. Elegant. Timeless.
Still, a lot of people get into bead craft as a form of self presentation, and among the ways that expression manifests itself in the interest is through the magic of the pattern.
Many people (both beginners and experts in the bead craft world) spend hours upon hours experimenting with arrangements until they hit upon anything that's really compelling. More common though, particularly to those new to beadwork, is a feeling of intimidation. This is unlucky, but the overwhelming most of hobbyists will outgrow that fear as they obtain more bead craft experience.
Still, if you've recently taken up beadwork as a hobby and find yourself struggling with the complexity of developing your own patterns, you can find a number of websites on the web providing bead craft pattern ideas and examples. Make use of these in your designs, and before very long, you will 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.
Anybody can, in a matter of minutes, learn the basic mechanics of bead craft, but the real artistry, and the portion that takes longer 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 do not force it. If it is something you are struggling with, search out bead craft resource websites on the web for pattern ideas and practice with those. Earlier or later, something will "click" inside your head, and you will find yourself branching out in your own way.
Patience and practice. These are the real keys to mastering the craft, and coming up with original, innovative beadwork.
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