I truly admire incredible beaders who can tackle complex beading pictures. The patience and the vision to complete a large canvas with many bead colours! One such beader (and reader) is Lynn. 

She shared the wonderful beaded 12" x 12 " dog picture which she made for her cousin as a thank you gift - shown above. That is a heck of a lot of Miyuki beads. Lucky cousin!

But the bead organizing and storage? Oi. 

Lynn was originally inspired by the post I shared on using 24 cup muffin trays - a suggestion from reader, Wayne Wiley. She then tried her 82 cavity JELL-O JIGGLER mold. She explained in my post about using this mold that "I put the pattern color letter on each mold and start beading. I like it because it is nice and compact." 

However, while making the above dog picture, she said, " I determined the JELLO tray was NOT working. It was not heavy enough. I would bump it and beads OR "the entire JELLO tray" would be on the floor. I can't tell you how many times I had to sort beads.  

Creative people like Lynn do go on to find other solutions. She managed to find 12 plastic compartment wheel containers which worked out much better. 

Here are her findings and invaluable tips:
  • Only one compartment is open at a time. Should it fall on the floor only one color to pick up, if the container is at the shut grid NO worries at all! 
  • 3 containers hold 36 colors!! Now always ready to bead and go. 
  • Cut a larger cardboard circle, label w/letters and attach it to the grid container. 
  • LOVE computer rulers to keep the pattern row. Here is a free one of many
  • Worthwhile to get a good overhead light with magnifying glass to thread that needle. Attach the light to an end table. 
  • A good lap tray, everything together in one place. Small box w/all required project colors off to the side. 
  • Favorite needles are: Lance needles size. Size 11/0 Miyuki beads work best with size 10 needles. 
  • Turn on my Pandora station and bead...
Finding such compartments will take some work!  I found 12 compartment wheel containers on the Canadian Amazon.  You can also get them as 12 compartment wheel containers on the US Amazon which are meant for rhinestones and small decorations used in nail art.  I suggest you try the nail supply stores in your area if you cannot get them online!


Thanks Lynn for all your wonderful suggestions!

Before You Go :


jewelry making supplies

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This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation. 
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM