Description
My beaded strawberry bowl is made almost entirely from Superduos. I’m finding more and more flexibility and possibilities with these lovely beads. And the real beauty is, they work into projects so much faster! So, you’ll be able to create your bowl of strawberries in a weekend beading session. Now, let me tell you a little more about the beading pattern…
Materials
You are going to be working largely with Superduos for this project.
For the bowl, I used two colours – 20g in the main colour and 16g in the accent colour. So, conveniently, a single tube of Superduos will give you enough of each quantity. I have included details of my colour selections, but you are welcome to choose your own. Just think about what will display the strawberries well.
For the strawberries, you will need red and green superduos. Again, a tube of each colour will be sufficient. I have shared my colours. With so many shades of red to choose, you might like to do as I did, and mix in some different shades.
You will also need a few size 8/0 seed beads in red and in green.
Grab your favourite beading thread. You’re going to want something that gives you good tension, as all the elements of this project are self-supporting.
Experience and Techniques
This is an intermediate level project. You are going to be working entirely in Peyote stitch. You will be making increases and decreases, as well as working in the tubular variation.
I have included detailed step-by-step images and diagrams in the pattern. But, if you feel like you need a little extra help, I also have a couple of online classes that use these techniques. So, in those classes, you get everything demonstrated on video. You can find both classes at this link. It is the Superduo beaded box and the Superduo beaded beads that will help you with this project.
About the beaded strawberry bowl
I created this project for a commission. Bead and Button magazine asked to interview me as their ‘featured designer’ for December 2020. They also wanted to include a project from me for an issue to be published in 2021. So, we made all these arrangements, carried out the interview, designed and shipped the project to them, then… July 2020, the bombshell… Bead and Button were to cease trading. So, that put an end to all these plans.
I can’t tell you how sorry I was to receive that news. Not because my project wouldn’t appear in the magazine, but because Bead and Button has been such a hugely important part of the beading world for as long as I’ve been in it. I’ve worked with the magazine on more than one occasion, and always enjoyed the experience. So, I just feel so sad to be saying goodbye to a wonderful era.
But there remains life in my project. It’s here now for you all to enjoy! And if you discover you love working in 3D with Superduos, then I’ve got quite a few more projects you can try. This strawberry beaded box may be a good place to progress from your beaded strawberry bowl.
The strawberry bowl measures about 1″ (2.5cm) high and 3″ (7.5cm) wide. Each little strawberry is about 1″ in size. And you can get as creative as you wish in making this ornament your own.
