Trade Route

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Tricks of the Trade

by Janice Parsons

Using a time-tested, macramé flat knot and an ancient silk-wrapping technique adapted to thin gauge wire, beads from around the world are woven together like a journey along one of the old trade routes. It’s exciting to think that many of the beads I love were once carried from China or India across the Himalayas to Europe or from Bohemia and Venice to Africa and the new world, America.

Level: Intermediate Beginner

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Ingredients - Brass Ring (or other pendant, key or centerpiece) - Christmas Beads (or seed beads in 10-12/0) - Silver Spacer Beads - Venetian-Style Trade Beads - Old Carnelian Trade Beads - Padre Beads - Metal Ring (or other metal beads to string) - 7-1/2 yards Superlon 18 Thread - 1 Foot Compassion Suede - 1 Foot 28 Gauge SS wire (or metal of your choice) - 1-2 Flexible Eye Needles - 1 Button with shank - Thread Burner - Hypo-tube Cement - 2 Bead Mats or Towels - Wire Cutters - Knotting Tweezers - 2 pairs Chain Nose Pliers - Bead Reamer (optional) - Beeswax (optional)

Studio Essentials -Tape Measure - Scrap of twine - Scotch Tape - Baking Sheet with sides - Straight pins - 2 heavy-duty binder clips - Cardboard for wrapping thread