Anne's Plaid Bead Tutorial

[AMR GlassWorks]

Ok, for those of you asking about how I do my plaids, I've made up a little tutorial for ya!
#1 Make a base bead (usually white) and add a fairly thick straight stringer of transparent color around the center.


I then use a thin stringer of an opaque colors on top of the fat trasparent and go around the center.


I then place in 4 (or 6 if you put the lines together close) going from hole-to-hole in 4 equal spaces around the bead. I use either opaque or transparent.


I then go around the bead on each side of the 1st large line around the center of the bead with thin stringer in either transparent or opaque.


I usually use 2 opaques and 2 transparents or really whatever would look good! This is an excellent practice for stringer control!! Trust me!! Here's an example of some recent plaids I did. As you can see there are endless color combos that you can play with!

Hope this helps out!!

editted for photo upload correction

[springdream]

Your plaid beads are so cool! Thanks for posting this!! I hope to see all the pics soon so that I can tell.

[Leah Nelson]

Thank you so much for the tutorial, Anne! I think I'll try your plaids this weekend!

You're super!

[tluvs2create]

Anne
I LOVE your plaids. I've tried a few myself -- of course they don't look as good as yours. I think the 3 P's are definetly a part of the mix. Stringer control of course is key and getting the right thicknesses of stringer in the right locations (not as easy as you make is sound) LOL Any tips on starting and finishing off the stringers when you go hole to hole? That seems to be my biggest problem.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Tricia

[AMR GlassWorks]

When I do the hole-to-hole lines I heat up the bead at the hole just enough for the stringer to stick and then go across to the other hole and melt off. I use a small carving tool with a flat end to pat down the ends of the stringers but you would use a pick or graphite tool, anything that can tuck down the ends. Does this make sense?

[candygrrl]

Hey Anne,

Are you melting in the stringer between each step or no? If I missed this or am a doofus for asking, sorry in advance!

[bizymomy4]

I love your plaid beads!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!
Beth

[tluvs2create]

Yes, Anne that does make sense. That is what I've been doing but I still need practice to clean it up a bit.
Thanks again
Trish

[JoyceMI]

Thanks for the tutorial Ann. I have tried these before without success. Will have to give them another try.

Even though I thought I was using thin stringers they still were not thin enough. Are you melting in the lines after each of the steps? Just wondering if it makes a difference.

[Jinx.Garza]

Excellent tutorial, Anne! Your plaids are so cool.

Jinx

p.s. Let's rate this thread everyone.

[AMR GlassWorks]

I'm sorry everyone!! This tutorial had me so flustered!! Yes you melt in the stripes after each step!! Sorry I didn't say that!! I do that alot!! David just looks at me like "huh"? He's supposed to know what I'm saying right?? LOL!!

[ValorieCox]

Excellent Anne, Thank you for sharing the secrets of your classic plaid bead! 5 stars!

Val

[dread]

Thanks for the tutorial - I am going to give it a try tonight and hopefully have something to post for tomorrows show and tell.

These look like fun !

[donner]

thanks for writing up this tutorial, Anne! very nice job...

[xoticbead]

Oh Anne
I have drooled over your beads forever. I have bid on a few of your sets ( never sucessfully) now I can give it a try myself. That is if I can ever get away from this computer lol,lol Thank for this helpfull info

Liz