There’s more to beading than just stringing beads. Case in point:
http://www.serafinibeadedjewelry.com/neckpiece.html And I would love
to take up beading like this if only I had the time and patience. :0
Andrea 
Lochthyme Antiques
http://www.lochthyme.com
One of a Kind Jewels for a One of a Kind You!
If you are talking about beadweaving...let's just say it's time consuming enough that I realized I needed to get into wire and metal if I was going to actually make jewelry that could be sold for a profit I've tried beading - the intricate seed beading. That is an art, IMHO. A simple spiral bracelet took me about 20 hours.
I’m so glad that people are beginning to talk about beadweaving and
other microbead techniques, which have previously been overlooked as
part of the Great Realm of Beading. Seed bead embroidery is one of my
greatest passions, and one at which I know perfectly well I will not
make money. The time and creative effort needed to produce a good,
original piece of beadwork means that the price will always outweigh
the value of the components. Only by combining loom-woven seed bead
panels with silver have I managed to make a few profitable beaded
pieces.
At least one of the reasons to be drawn to this medium is that beads
allow an artist to work with light in a way that other media can’t -
beads offer differing degrees of opacity or transparency,
reflective, metallic, matte, or iridescent surfaces, and even facets
that bring light and motion into the equation.
It’s a shame that some look down on seed beads because they’re
glass, or because they’re inexpensive, when they offer so much in
the way of fueling inspiration.
[Caution: shameless self-promotion about to occur]
If you’re interested, please visit
http://students.msj.edu/SmithJessee/art170/BQ1.html
to see a piece of beadwork on braintanned leather that is going on
its 70th hour of work. It’s all done in 14/o Czech and Japanese seed
beads, and the cougar now has a neck. Someday I will finish the
background…
[End shameless self-promotion.]
I hope other beaders on the forum will share pix of their work as
well - I’m sure many of us would love to see it!
Cheers,
Jessee Smith
www.silverspotstudio.com
Some of the beadweaving that I have seen is just absolutely beautiful
art work, marvelous designs, excellent color combinations, original,
creative, and exceptionally well executed. These are the works of
true artists, and their work should not be lumped in with those who
take some beads, and wire them together in a methodical, mindless
sort of fashion…
In all aspects of jewelry making be it metalsmithing, or beading,
one will find the hacks and the artists. It is easy to differentiate
between the two.
Alma
If you're interested, please visit http://students.msj.edu/SmithJessee/art170/BQ1.html
Wow! Your beadwork is amazing. It was not until I attempted to
learn a few seed bead stitches that I truly began to respect the
time, talent and dedication that goes into this work. It is not for
me, but I admire and respect seed bead work.
Rhona
I really want to thank Susannah Ravenswing for her eloquent post. I
was working on one that said some of the same things, but not as
well, so I won’t go into a rant now. I only want to make two points.
Why don’t we ask this question of Robert Lui, the
co-founder/co-editor of Ornament, which began as a magazine
exclusively for bead enthusiasts? He’s a bead scholar! Yes, they do
exist! Bead societies, too!
And…I began not with bead stringing but with wire–the Lynn
Merchant, everything-in-one-bag, nomadic school of wire work (of
course, I became a “wire junkie,” needing to try every variety that
exists, and then a tool junkie, so it’s more like a hundred bags
now…). One of my first strung necklaces was made to “complete” my
first fabricated piece, and the stringing took much longer than the
fabrication. Why? Because I re-strung the damn 3 strands countless
times before I was happy with them.
Most of the stringing I have done has been for commissioned pieces
and I always underestimate how long it will take. No instant
gratification for perfectionists!
Lisa Orlando
Aphrodite’s Ornaments
(mostly in a storage locker…)
I’m a little behind at reading the posts. I always enjoy visiting
the websites that are referenced on the posts. Jessee, your
creations are lovely and very unique!
J. S. Ellington
Jessee, your loom sound easy to make and very adjustable. I just saw
an article in one of the beading magazines using bamboo and hair
combs. 4 pieces of bamboo fixed together with top and botton pieces
split and regular hair combs inserted. I love people who find ways
to make things and don’t want to buy the glitzy packaged articles.
Pat