Ask the Experts Freeform Seed Beads Q&A

What is free form beading?

- Lore

Freeform beading is a more sculptural and abstract style of beading than traditional bead stitching. You usually start with a base of peyote stitch using different sizes of seed beads and improvise as you stitch along creating loops, connectors and bridges to create irregular jewelry, wall hangings and 3 dimensional sculptural forms. Often a wide variety of stitches are incorporated in the piece such as peyote, brick stitch and netting. Your base structure needs to be rigid and strong enough to stand up to the weight of the beads. Armatures or separate structures can be bridged together to achieve the durability needed.

- Kristal Wick, Designer, Author and Jewelry-Making Expert