Using Beads and Geometry to Decorate Eggs

Seed beads are close to my heart, they're one of the first crafty things I ever got into.  They're incredibly versatile, and in this case pretty festive, too.  They work well with math, a lot of common beadwork stitches are influenced by fractal-like increases and, in this case, I'm working with the relationship between hexagons and circles.  (Is there a special term for that relationship mathies?  I couldn't find anything easily with google!)  

Don't let the tiny beads intimidate you.  Start with small eggs and work up to larger projects.  I make up my patterns as I go, but you could also make up a chart and plan that in advance.

Step 1: Supplies and Equipment

Eggs - wood are nice because they're sturdy.  Base coat them to match your beads.  Plastic would work, real are kind of risky (though pysanky people use real eggs, so it works for them!)

Seed Beads - these are size 11, size 15 is smaller and therefore would be better but more tedious.

Beading Thread - this is nymo in size OO.  Use a beading thread, not a sewing thread.

Beading Needles - I use size 12 needles.

Scissors - tiny points are helpful for trimming thread.

Comments

[mteaford]

Ineed the pattern for this egg!!! These instructions do not have a pattern for the different colors thru out the egg!

[swimmer1985]

I just joined onto the program and I can't do the pro status but where can I find the same pattern free to download?

[shiannejessica]

This is seriously good. I have done some beadwork and I know beading around irregular shapes is tricky. My grandparents had a collection of beaded salt and pepper shakers and so that was my first project. Good instructable and great pics to go with it!

[depotdevoid]

Very well done, and well documented! I've only ever done seed beads on a bead loom, but my girlfriend says beading an irregular surface like this is really hard, so bravo!

[inhabitart]

super like

[bajablue]

I'm just learning to bead. Your instructable is fabulous!