Beads and Embellishments

Here are three pictures of a purse I made out of an Easter gift (the bag itself that cost .99 cents)
I used a glue gun... there are jewelry findings, crystals, STUFF... ... there is a mirror as a base that I etched and put handmade papers on. Then layered other treats and goodies all over it.

That final touch or an important feature, beads and embellishments are an integral part of creating
exciting work, be it with fabric, paper, clay and any other mediums. This page hopes to show examples of ways to incorporate interesting additions and how to make them. An ongoing section, which may go on several pages should you wish to send in any of your own suggestions and scans, which would be most welcome

Shrink plastic beads
I made faux sea glass beads by:- sanding transparent shrink plastic, cutting out random wavy shapes, punching hole in the top and then applying pale blue and green artists pastels (chalks will do leave some spaces) Heated the plastic and shrunk them and whilst hot stamped Impress me stamps into them. Applied rub on metallic gold to the relief patterns. Made jump rings and threaded seed beads with the shrink art.

Goddess Doll
To make the fabric doll,I drew out a Goddess shape on white cotton, working on front and back together, coloured them with aquarelle crayons, merging the colours with water, when dry I stamped Impress me patterned stamps by Sherrill Kahn in various shades of ordinary stamping ink. This was covered by ironing on Bonda Web -a fusible webbing. On to this I ironed small scraps of shimmery coloured organza then free machined all over the textured material with metallic thread. Small seed beads were sewn on.Front and back was machined together, leaving bottom open, trimmed the piece to a small seam, then turned inside out. This was stuffed with polyester filling. Any more embellishments can be added. I Used unraveld coiled wire and gold seed beads for the hair

This panel left, consists of layers of cut strips and shapes of fabric built up over each other. Embellished with embroidery stitches, rolled paper beads and wrapped cords

Marsha Siddoway's Fortune Teller Doll is crammed with colourful fibres, ribbons and feathers. Dangling from everywhere are tiny decorated tags with typed fortunes on their backs, bundles of beautiful beads, and bunches of charms, coins and found objects. A complete amazement of interest

An idea came from small Indian bags embellished with tassels made from all sorts of fibres.
Simple tassels and pom poms made from embroidery threads, tapestry wools, and strips of fabric embellish a bargello tapestry purse and a cut loop pile purse. Wrapped and plaited cords make matching handles and additions

These 2 fabric book covers are basically made with the bonda web technique--see more
Fabric beads are made by dying silk with silk paints and cutting into long triangles and rolled as for the paper ones, then sewed on. Acrylic gems are also sewed on. The edges have been burnt with a candle