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DESERT STAR CREATIONS-LAURA GRAHAM BEADWEAVING TUTORIALS, KITS, BEADS & HANDMADE JEWELRY
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Katie Dean - How to Make Beaded Boxes Review

1/7/2020

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How to make Beaded Boxes by Katie Dean
Published by Vivebooks, an imprint of Rainbow Disks Ltd


The very talented Katie Dean has written an amazing little e-book on how to make beaded boxes using peyote stitch and cylinder beads. It claims to have seven different beaded boxes within the instructions of the e-book but I say the possibilities are endless. You can change colors add pattern to the sides of the boxes and the lids as well as combining the different stitches used to make the flowers that adorn the tops. 


I highly recommend reading all the tips on navigation for the e-book. Because of the embedded videos, the file is quite large so I recommend using their tips on how to navigate the larger PDF file that is the book. I also recommend that you’re very comfortable with peyote stitch. The instructions are very well written and include everything from material lists, ideas about using color, written word, diagrams and embedded videos as well as blank graph paper so you can design and color your own boxes. There were a few diagrams I wished had more detail to them including a thread path but found that the embedded videos were the best at help with any confusion.


I sat down and decided to test out the instructions and follow all the embedded video on the e-book. I ended up with an adorable little square box and the little bit more difficult but still fun, hexagon box. I only say slightly more difficult hexagon box because I had a problem with a couple of beads breaking. Keeping that in mind snug tension is good, tight is not. I didn’t have the recommended flowers for the lid when I adorned my hexagon lid with the 11/0 cylinder loops so I used some slightly larger flowers. There’s a little bit of free play and adding these flowers it opens up a lot of artistic interpretation and I love the way my little box turned out.
Be prepared for some patience, bent needles and adding lots of thread. Stock up on 10/0 cylinder beads and go to town! The end results are very worth the fun challenge of Katie Dean's little beaded boxes. To purchase e-book or disc of book please click the button below. 

Special thanks to Katie Dean and Vivienne Wells and vivebooks.com for allowing me to review this great book and having patience while I did it. Happy Beading!
​Laura Graham - Desert Star Creations


Buy Katie's E-Book
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Beadwork Magazine Designer of the Year 2018

2/8/2018

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I am so honored to be named one of Beadwork Magazines Designer of the Year for 2018. I will have a new project in each issue (6 total) for this year. I also get featured on their website and blog with an additional write up in one of the issues. I cant wait to show everyone the necklaces and bracelets I work very hard on for these issues, I think they are my best work. Thanks so much to Lavon and staff at Beadwork, Interweave and F&W Media!
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Now Selling Patterns on Craftsy!

7/28/2016

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I am now adding all my patterns for sale on to Craftsy so you can purchase from there or Etsy. Check back as I add new designs all the time! 
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New Design?

3/28/2015

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Newest Collar Necklace Design and Tutorial

9/17/2014

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Oh you like Silky's! 

9/4/2014

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These Silky beads have really captured my creativity! I have been playing with them for a few months now and I keep getting a new design almost every week! To be sure, there is no stoping this fun new bead. Go to my shop to get all the tutorials seen here, just click link to 
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New Diamond Back Bracelet

4/10/2014

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My latest bracelet called the Diamond Back made from the new two-hole Silky diamond shaped Czech beads and triangles. I will begin working on the tutorial  early next week! I real love this one and it is real easy to make and works up real quick! Stay tuned!

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Fun Rulla Stitched Settings for a Rivoli with Triangle Accents

3/25/2014

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These are super cute and so easy to make. I will prob make these my next tutorial.  I may not even charge for them but make them a bonus when you purchase one of my other tutorials! Still figuring it out! Stay tuned!

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Czechmates new two-hole Triangle beads inspired me! 

2/27/2014

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I am so happy with all these two hole beads that are out, mostly the Czech line. Superduos, Rulla and now the Czechmates triangles! These beads have really sparked my creativity and I couldn't be happier! From these beads I have put out 3 tutorials and I will be published in a national magazine! 
The latest tutorial is made from the new fun triangles! I stitched this up and created what I call "Alligator Tail" since it has the triangles looking like scales and going in two directions. I even offer up two different ways to make the bracelet, offering more design for the money! It is now listed for sale in my shop for $6.50, just click the picture a
Stay tuned as I have 3 more tutorials in the works.


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Newest design with the hot new Czech triangles!

2/21/2014

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This is a fun new design with triangles going horizontal and vertical. There is a cent core with a Swarovski crystal and it's texture is just so fun to feel! Tutorial to follow next week!

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