For our first project, I'd like to put together a tutorial about the materials used for french-beaded flowers. Everyone uses slightly different techniques, materials, and tools, and I'd like to incorporate everyone's ideas!

What to do:
Send me a note or reply to this journal telling me what type of beads and wire you use, what tools you typically use, where you get your materials, etc. You may provide as much or as little information as you like. However, I hope that you provide lots of specifics, and I'd love to also get information about why you like the materials you use and am very interested to find out if anyone buys their beads or wire online, since a lot of first-time beaders have no idea where the good bead stores in their area are.

Example:

Here's all of my supplies and stuff:

I use 11/0 and 13/0 czech glass beads, usually in a solid transclucent color. I recently started using 13/0 charlotte cut czech because I love how they look like little jewels! I use 28 gauge colored copper wire by Artistic Wire, Ltd. I buy all my beads and wire at a wonderful local bead store. As far as tools go, I use small wire cutters made for "Soft Flex" wire for my thin wire and a good pair of strong wire cutters for my 12-14 gauge nickel stem wire. I also incorporate some 28 and 30 gauge floral paddle wire, mostly for assembly, and floral tape to wrap the stems.

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I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you and can't wait to put this tutorial together!

Also, I have some ideas about what to do with this club, but I really would love to hear more ideas! So far, I would like to do a series of these basic tutorials for people who have never done french beaded flowers, including one about the history of them (which I don't know a whole lot about, but I'm hoping one of you does!), and how to do the basic techniques. I also would like to submit some of your original patterns. Please let me know if any of you have some you'd be willing to share.

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