What's new in beads for 2016.

After the whirlwind of new beads that came out last year I was honestly wondering if there would be anything new to strike my fancy this year.  Well the folks at Starman and Toho have truly blown my mind.

Demi beads.

The Demi™ is more than a shape; it is a new concept in seed beading. Developed by TOHO in collaboration with Starman, the Demi Round™ is a thinner version of the traditional round seed bead with the same hole size and diameter.

This exclusive innovation is made possible by the quality glass cane and precision cutting of TOHO manufacturing.

Look at just one page of the amazing colors available.

I had to break my fast.  Let me tell you that as soon as I opened my package this Dainty Beader truly gasped!  I was expecting them to be a fun element.  I was expecting them to challenge me.  What I was not prepared for was just how tiny and precious they would be.  Any of you that have followed me know I am, for lack of a better term, obsessed with the tiniest of seed beads.  for me the smaller the better.  Of course maybe that is why I need yet another prescription change in my glasses.  This time I was very picky and very smart when ordering.

And just for a bit of perspective here is a picture of the size 11/0 Demi right next to the regular size 11/0 rounds.

There are a few patterns out for them from the Starman Trendsetters.

I began to play first by using Nichole's pattern.

I plan on making this into a memory wire bracelet with two of Caroline's amazing birds I have been hoarding for awhile.

At first I was a bit wary of the delicate nature of these beads.  As I began working with them I am overly pleased with their durability.  They may be tiny but they are also very strong I have not broken one yet.  I also started playing with a couple other of my favorite stitches and have found that I really like the possibilities.

As I was working with them I saw yet another potential use.  When I am bezeling a cab there are times when I need a bead bigger than a 15/0 but not as wide as an 11/0 and this surely fills that need.  I also have a few attempts at a pattern where I have found myself needing something bigger than an 11/0 but not as wide or as tall as an 8/0( which as you can see in the diagram above they also make them in 8/0 size which I have not tried yet).  I cant wait to test this theory out.

 In short my opinion on these new Demi beads is that they are going to quickly become an important addition to my weaving stash.  I will be saving to get as many colors as I possibly can.

Glossary and Eye Candy of new bead shapes.

I know we have discussed the new bead shapes that have come out.  I also know that the seed bead world has been turned on their heads with the introduction of so many of them.  Jenny asked me to give you all a glossary of sorts with some eye candy.  With the exception of the brand new ones I can not get my hands on I will show you the adds for the beads and what I have been able to do with them to date.  Are you ready?

These are the three newest beads that have been announced in the past month that I spotted.

Trinity

I am very intrigued by these. They look to me like 3 size 8/0 beads fused together.  I can even see a design in my mind.  What a fun bead for both weavers and stringers with so many possibilities.

MiniDuo

This is a design by the very talented Nancy Dale of the Beadsmith Inspiration Squad.  

Now this is kind of a no brainer for me.  I love superduos very very much so to make them smaller is an amazing idea!  In case you are wondering they are the little pink ones in the bracelets.  You know I would be able to rock these cuties in so many ways!

Halfmoon

I have to say these are not really a new shape but they are so much better from the look in the picture.  A bit thicker than the old ones with the holes in good position and of course the new finishes are to die for.

Infinity

Infinities came out in February and boy am I interested.  And as with the Trinity beads they look like fused seed beads. They actually come in two sizes 3x6 and 4x8.  This shape has sooooo many possibilities and with the different sizes they offer a fun challenge.
So on the beads that I have been able to play with.

Czechmate Crescents

I have mentioned this in previous posts but these sent a spark through me that hasnt happened since the introduction of twins and superduos.  I was instantly in love.  I had a design come to me the moment I saw them and as luck would have it, it was exactly what I envisioned.

I love this piece and as soon as I get another batch I will be writing a tutorial for those who may be interested.

Kheops par puca

I was not sure about these but I love triangles so on my final shop of last year I picked up a few.  Yes I have fallen in love.  So much in fact I have 2 designs that came to me.  The first one was fun and simple and the second well lets say I had a bit of fun

I still need to get a few more of the green to finish this one but I love where it is going.  I may even pick up some turquoise (because I love turquoise) and make a second one for a tutorial.


So does this help anyone with the new beads?

New Bead Eye Candy

There has been an overwhelming amount of new beads introduced in the past few years.  Sometimes they are snuck in under the radar others have come with great pomp and circumstance.  This year alone there have been 6 new beads introduced that have me drooling.

The most recent are these very interesting new Ripple by Preciosa Ornela.  I see so many opportunities for them.

Potomac Bead Company had introduce the RounDuo bead.  I am so happy with the possibilities this offers for beading.  So many times in beading I have wish for a two hole round bead.  I can not wait to get my hands on these to let you know if they live up to my expectations.

Next are Czechmates by Starman Beads.  They have come out with 4 new shapes just this year and since I know the quality of their beads I want to try them all!  Crescents beads are by far my favorite.  Now these have me buzzing.  Ever since they came out the design possibilities have my head swimming.  I have actually been sketching some of them because it may be some time til I get them.  I do want every color of these!!!!

Next up is the two hole Bar.  If you are a reader of my posts you know I love two hole beads and these have so many possibilities.

The next 2 are Quadratile and Quadralentils.  I am on the fence about these.  They have the ability to assist in adding structure to a piece but I worry about hiding the bead with the 4 holes.  I do want some of them to play with and hopefully find a way to make them mine.

For seed beaders and stringers alike I think all these beads can spark designs we all have yet to imagine.  What is your favorite new bead?