We got in a nice color selection on Miyuki 4x4 Cubes, Drops and Magatamas. A few colors of the new Miyuki 2-hole Tila beads have come in, with more to follow as they become available. I will be playing with them then, and let you know what the results are in the future.
One of the other exciting things to arrive are Farfalle beads. What are farfalle beads? They are a seed bead named for the Italian word for butterfly, farfalla, but are most often described as peanut or dumb bell shaped. Farfalle beads are sort of a double drop bead, with a hole in the center. When strung, they nest into each other, but really do fantastic things when used with weaving techniques. They are manufactured by both Matsuno (Japanese) and Preciosa (Czech.) We have the Czech variety, which I am to understand, has better color.
I have been playing with them in peyote stitch. They line up so well, standing perfectly upright. I was really delightfully surprised! Farfalles in peyote stitch make a really substantial piece, a heavier weight band that is perfect for a bracelet. They also make up much stiffer than regular seed beads, I think due to the fact that they interlock so well. You could make a ring with farfalle beads, but not a 'zipper' bead, or a tube to use as a toggle bar, as they will not bend that far. But that is OK, sometimes you need that stiffer tension.
Check out Maggie's Musings for a good review of farfalle beads, and how they work up in other stitches.
I also found this YouTube video of creating beaded beads using a right angle weave with farfalle. Enjoy!!
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