JuliannaMucci
Fine Art Jewelry and Lampwork Beads
FREEFORM SAMPLE TUTORIAL
***freeform is about expression...
only you know what you have to say!***
Step 1 - String a row of beads! To determine how long this row needs to be, consider the FINISHED length needed and subtract what will be required for whatever type clasp you are using. Bear in mind that freeform will often "curve"...you can either account for this when beginning your first row...or add beads using brick or loops when you are ready to attach your clasp. As far as how many of which color to string on this row...there aren't any rules!
Step 2 - peyote back up the row...remember to add in color or take one color one or a few beads up into the next color to prevent the base from looking like blocks of color...unless that is what you are after!!
Step 3 - just demonstrates the "mixing" of colors on row 3 of the peyote.
Step 4 - Row 4! You can make this as wide or as narrow as you would like. If you need to come down the OPPOSITE side of the one you have been working to even out color or add another, go for it! Freeform is very forgiving and you can weave in and around however you need to!
Step 5 - start a new "row". You can start it at the very end or anywhere along the line that you like. For this one I have decided to do a focal with a couple of cabs, so I need to establish a wide space to work in near the center. You can keep your separate rows closer, overlapping, or wrapped around each other! Keep in mind which colors you are putting where if a color balance is important in the piece...but remember the best thing about freeform is that there aren't any rules!
Step 6 - peyote up and down the new row as many times as you like. I tend to come back and add more later, so I kept my second row 2 beads across...and branched off near one end to add another row which attached to original row. (*left side of picture above) You can do this wherever, whenever your whims suggest it! (Isn't freeform FUN!!??)
Steps 7 thru whatever!! Keep adding your rows or beads however you see them going! In the picture below you will see that I have added just a couple of small "branch" rows at either end.
Step 8 - In this case I got to a point where I decided I needed to start thinking about where the focals were going to be placed. So, I attached the beaded cabs between my first two rows. This is accomplished by threading thru the row to the point where you wish to attach, coming out of a bead, add one bead, go through a bead on the cab, and one bead, go back into the bead you came out of on the row..or the next one. (this is FREEFORM! it doesn't matter!!) I generally make this pass twice just to secure the cab. You can add beads this way..buttons, whatever. I twisted this row at an angle to attach the cab to...it prevents the rows from laying completely flat (unless that is what you are going for!!)
Step 9 - ok, now we need to add some of the other beads we plan to use and start filling in and determining how the piece will flow. Here I have come out of the under side of the row to which the top of the cab is attached, added some smaller (size 11) beads, a crystal and a half moon and more size 11s. If you look closely at the bottom left side you will see where the needle is pointing to go back into the piece.
(just a close up of row just added) You will also notice in the top left corner that I have begun the "edging" finish...whenever I need to maneuver from one end of the piece to the other to add what I think comes next, I take that opportunity to edge on down! This is very simple to do...on your peyote edge, come out of one bead, add 3 to get the picot effect and go into next bead...repeat. In this case I used size 11s between size 8s. I tend to do this edging as I go if I plan on edging each row.
A few more misc lines later..and a little more edging..and this one is on its way to being done.
(front side)
(back side)
