IBW Beaded Box: will you be making one?

Well, a couple of weeks ago, I started announcing plans for International Beading Week 2019. The first announcement I made was that I will be doing a beadalong. And what project will we all be beading? A beaded box! So, I’m thrilled that I can now reveal my IBW Beaded Box…I hope you like it!

 

What inspired the IBW beaded box?

First and foremost, you did! A lot of people have been asking me how to make beaded boxes. Now, I have many patterns available. But I also keep seeing that people are afraid to jump in and try.

So, let me ask, are you one of those people who keeps looking at beaded boxes and saying, ‘Ooh, I love that! But I’m not good enough to make it.’

Well, the truth is, pretty much everyone who says that is perfectly capable of making a beaded box. OK, you might not have done Peyote stitch before. So, yes, you will need to learn that. But, in all honesty, there’s no reason why you can’t learn it as you make the box.

So, what I’ve done is create a design that is basically pretty simple. I’ll be demonstrating it all on video. So, you don’t need to worry about trying to figure out and understand just written instructions and diagrams. You can see me doing all this. Plus, you can ask questions if you get stuck.

What I’m trying to say is: if you’ve been admiring beaded boxes and felt scared to try one, the IBW Beaded Box beadalong is your perfect way in. Now, this beadalong will be available beyond International Beading Week. So, if you still want to wait and pluck up courage, you can! But, if you sign up before IBW begins, you’ll save 25%. So, if that has inspired you, here is the link to join.

A few words about the design

I basically wanted to create a box that would celebrate International Beading Week. But I also wanted something that most people can make without necessarily having to buy a load of new materials.

So, I took the symbolic beaders holding hands, using the full colour wheel. I have used that to build the box design. But I have also used the colouring to help you understand the box structure.

I prefer to make my boxes with size 10 Delicas – they’re easier to manage and also give you a slightly larger box, without needing to spend more time beading it!

But I also made a version with size 11 Delicas. So, those of you who prefer that size are welcome to use them.

I have given you the exact colours that I used. But I have also shared some colour alternatives. So, you might stick to the colour wheel idea, just using your own versions of each colour. Or, you might develop something entirely different. I’m looking forward to seeing all the different things that people do!

Now, I have put together a little video to show you the box in more detail. So, you can see that by clicking on this link. You’ll find it in the curriculum at the bottom of the page.

How do you join the IBW Beaded Box Beadalong

Simple! Just click on this link and click on enrol!

If you enrol before 19th July, you will save 25% on the full price. The price you’re seeing at the moment includes that discount, so you don’t need to worry about coupon codes, or anything like that. Just enrol now before I increase the price!

I will launch the actual instructions on 19th July. So, between now and then, you have time to plan and gather your materials. That might be setting aside beads from your stash. Or, you might want to buy some beads for the project. I will also have a limited number of kits available. Basically, you will get all the details as soon as you enrol.

What else is happening?

I can also reveal that I will be launching a very exciting competition next week. So, if you want to be first to hear about that, please make sure you join my IBW exclusive mailing list. Use this link to join the list now.