Beads & Stamping

Mini Frame from Simple & Stylish Bead Accents
by Katie Hacker (KP Books 2005)

So, to make my love of rubber stamping not-so-secret anymore, I thought I'd pull one of my favorite projects out of the files. This is a fun way to dress up any blank picture frame. This particular frame is covered in satin and is meant to be a party favor but you can apply the same technique to any frame.

First, you stamp the background. I used a circle crest stamp from Hampton Art. They don't make this particular stamp anymore, so choose one from your stash that has a similar look. I used Tsukineko Brilliance pigment ink and a heat tool to set the ink. Experiment with the stamp on scrap paper before stamping onto the frame so you can practice the right amount of pressure to get nice, clean lines.

Once the ink is dry, then the beady fun begins! The trick to applying the beads in straight lines is: line the beads up on a toothpick, place a line of glue on the frame, then press the beads into it and remove the toothpick. Voila!

I learned that tip from Cindy Gorder, beader extraordinaire. She uses this technique with a beading needle (I think?) to apply tiny seed beads in intricate designs to a variety of surfaces.