What a Difference a Bead Makes! Part One

If you're reading this blog then I can pretty much guarantee we have something in common.....a love of beads! As many will know there has been quite a tsunami of new beads recently, new shapes, extra holes and lots of new sizes.  It makes for very exciting and interesting times on Planet Bead.

We all rush to get the latest bead and designers work fast to get tutorials out to show you how to use these new creations.  

The beads I'm talking about?  Well...it will take two posts to show you them all so we'll start with the one hole beads.  Click on the pictures to buy what you see :)

Single Hole Beads

The Rizo

Designed by bead artist Sabine Lippert and named for rice this bead looks exactly like that...large long grain rice. 



A nice long drop bead that comes in loads of fabulous colors.
I used them for my Chrysanthemid series.



The SuperUno

Sister to the SuperDuo bead this is the same shape but with just the one hole.



This makes it perfect for edging designs made with the duos.

A fabulous example is Linda Roberts' Spice Bracelet.



The Thorn

A cross between a Rizo and a Spike :)                  
Long and elegant yet a little
bit dangerous!

                                       
Seen here in Kerrie Slade's rocker chic "Thornstar"



The Spike

Spikes don't seem like they are that new anymore but there are lots of new shapes and sizes available these days.  













Lovely use of spikes here from our very own Patrick Duggan in his "AnnaBella"




Be sure to type "spike beads" into your browser to see all the different spikes available today....they come in plastic, pressed glass, metal and Lisa Kan does some gorgeous lampwork ones!




The O Bead


Another bead designed by Sabine Lippert these little babies are fast becoming popular. 

Here's one of the best uses of O-beads I've seen by Ella Des of Ellad2. 


Also an alternative for O-beads are rubber 
o-rings which come in many sizes and lots of bright colors, they are the fun new component in my upcoming work.

The Pellet

  A spool shaped bead that makes for interesting designs as they fit together one horizontal, one vertical.

Shown here as the perfect center for these beautiful 'snowflakes' by Akke Jonkhof





I want to thank all the designers for letting me show their creations and Lisa Kan of AriaDesignStudio for the pictures of the beads. 

Tune in next week for Part Two when I take a look at the 2-holed beads :)

Welcome!!!!

A special post this first day of April to welcome our two new Bead Mavens!

I am delighted and excited to say that our two new Mavens are 

Heather Kingsley-Heath

and 

Cristie Sawyer Prince

I think we're all super excited to have these wonderful designers join 

the team....look for their maiden posts in May...they need a little 

time to settle in :)