29 March 2011- 3 D bead animals have become quite popular among the beaders these days. There are some reasons for it. Animal beads are already very popular. However, the hobbyist beaders as well as kids have now got bored with the same old patterns for making animal beads. Beaders are so creative people that they are not satisfied with only one form of beading. They search for newer beading techniques to satisfy their creative souls. 3D beading or the three-dimensional beading technique is the latest buzz in the beading world. Although, the more traditional beading- the 2D beading can't be beaten in popularity but of late people have started experimenting with this oriental beading art of 3D beading. As far as 3D beading patterns are concerned, the 3D bead flowers and 3D bead animals are the most popular duo. 3D bead animals are a step forward than the flower beads made with 3 D beading technique. Before going on to know how to make beads animals with 3D beading, it will be quite helpful to know the basics of 3D beading technique- what is three dimensional beading and how is 3D beading done?

What is 3D Beading?

Three dimensional beading is basically an oriental art- particularly Japanese and Chinese beading technique. Many people take it as a more challenging beading technique. However, this is more because of the complex diagrams representing 3D beading patterns. Once tried, it no more seems to be difficult and with each 3D beading project, one keeps on refining the skill of 3D beading!

How To Do 3D Beading?

Three dimensional beading uses the general techniques of bead weaving that are further divided into right angle weave and peyote stitch. Mostly 3D beading is done in right angle weave, but sometimes both the techniques are combined in the same piece. Both the stitches are done using either fishing line or nylon thread. Fishing line is stiffer than nylon thread and therefore is better when it comes to right angle weave. When doing peyote stitch, it is better to use nylon thread because it is softer and more pliable than fishing line and thus permits the beads to sit straight without undue tension bending the arrangement out of place.

When doing right angle weave, both ends of the fishing line are used. Beads are strung in the fishing line in repeated circular arrangements, and the fishing line is pulled tight after each bead circle is made. When doing peyote stitch, only one end of the nylon thread is used. The other end of the thread is left dangling at the beginning of the piece, while the first end of the thread progresses through the stitch. Beads are woven here into the piece in a manner resembling knitting or cross stitching. Right angle weave is considered a better technique for 3D beading, but peyote stitch provides the advantage of more tightly knit beads, sometimes essential to properly portray an object in 3 dimensions.

How To Make 3D Beads Animals?

Although 3D beading patterns available on net and otherwise include such patterns as hearts, flowers, and jewelry, beads animals are the most popular item preferred to be made by the beaders. 3D beads animals look good and are also useful. For example, they can be used to decorate home- beads animals can be hung on tree or door for the holidays or can be shown off by placing them on bookshelf or mantle. The beginners might find the 3D bead animals patterns quite complicated. However, if they start off with a simple animal bead project such as a fish and then move forward to make bigger animal beads, the learning experience will be smooth enough for them. To make 3D bead animal, you will need fish line, cutters, glue, and colored beads (blue, white and black beads) of your choice- these can be seed beads, crystal beads, swarosky beads or even plastic beads to make plastic animal beads the 3D way! Here we give you instructions for making the most simple 3D bead animal project- a 3D bead fish.

• Cut the fishing line to make it 36 inches longer. String a black bead and bring it to the middle of the cord to make the fish nose. Now take one end of the cord back through the bead in the opposite direction to secure the bead.
• Pick up 2 blue beads. Bring the cord without the beads back through the last bead and the black bead on the other cord and pull tight. This ensures a nose with two beads on each side.
• Pick up two blue beads, one black and one more blue bead. Thread your loose cord through the last blue bead going the opposite direction. Thread your loose cord to the other side of the nose and through one of the two blue beads on that side of the nose. Pick up two blues, one black and one blue. Thread your loose cord through the last blue bead. This will add an eye to each side.
• Take four blue beads and thread the loose cord back through the last bead and pull tight. Thread through a bead on the animal. Again take four blue beads and thread the loose cord back through the last bead and pull tight. This is the basic 3D beading technique for making your 3D bead animal.
• Remember to keep on shaping the fish with the help of fingers as you work. When you come to the point where the fish belly has to be made, add white beads and flatten out the fins and tail by threading back through the same number of beads that you pick up.
• When you are about to close the body of the fish, take fewer beads. This will ensure you make the loops of beads smaller.

If you intend to make 3D beads animals with legs, use bugle beads and larger beads for foot pads. Always, balance what you do on one side of the 3-D animal at the other side too so that you get the perfect 3D bead animals.