Laura's Beads

08/19/2026

About a month ago, I had the most incredible lightbulb moment… I attempted successfully to sublimate a bead embroidery template design I had drawn in photoshop onto stiff felt bead backing!

About a year and a half ago, my hubby gave me a sublimation printer as a Christmas gift. I had seen people using them online to make custom T-shirts, coasters, tote bags, and all kinds of cool things, so I had put it on my wish list. Since I got it, I’ve been making loads of fun things that are commonly seen in the sublimation world. However, as I was working on the design for my latest bead embroidery kit, the Bird of Paradise, I wondered… could I actually make a full color template by sublimating my drawing onto the stiff felt that I bead on? I tried it, and the results were amazing!

Now I’ve seen people use many different techniques to create templates for bead embroidery over the years. Personally myself, had been using my Cricut pen for some of my previous designs. But I have never seen anybody use sublimation as of yet. The template is full vibrant color so you never see any white space in between your beads. You have all the guidance to lay your piece out perfectly, just as the design intended. The ink is infused to directly into the fabric, so there are no extra layers to sew through or smudging from markers and paint pens. You really can’t beat it!

All this being said, perhaps there is somebody else out there in the world that has used sublimation for bead embroidery, and I have just not seen it, but if you decide to try it because of seeing my post, I’d love it if you could tag me and credit me for the inspiration.

If you’ve read this entire post and are saying, but Laura, what the heck is sublimation anyway? ”Sublimation is a process where heat is used to change special ink into a gas that permanently bonds with materials like polyester T-shirts, tote bags, and hats. Instead of sitting on top of your blank like other materials do, the sublimation design becomes part of the material itself. The result creates a permanent, seamless finish.”

08/03/2026

So I did a thing...
Surprise brand new kit drop! Available only at Market Night at the Orlando Bead Retreat. There are a very limited number of these in this first batch, so be sure to drop by my booth early if you would like to get your hands on this Bird of Paradise bead embroidery kit!
Oh, and also you'll get to play with my brand new sublimation template technique, which kills. $90 includes everything except chain.

07/21/2026

There once were three pretty bracelets from the village of Cornwall. They loved nature and were named Lake, Forest, and Mountain. One day they met someone new, someone from the City!

Meet the Cornwall Bridge Bracelet "City" edition, featuring a bold and flashy black & white palette with your choice of either gold or silver accents. She'll make her debut at the Orlando Bead Retreat. I'll have a limited number of kits available in the vending area on market night ONLY, so be sure to come by and see me!

03/01/2026

Kits (3 color choices; printed pattern included) and digital patterns for the Breakwater Necklace are now available on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4463537239/bead-kit-breakwater-necklace
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4463572209/pdf-pattern-breakwater-necklace

02/26/2026

The three colorways of the Cornwall Bridge Bracelet are completed for the Orlando Bead Retreat! Since this piece is inspired by the beautiful Connecticut countryside I grew up near, I gave it nature inspired colorway designations. 🙂

02/20/2026

For the first time I'm making kits for the Cosmic Ring Bracelet available outside of the classroom! This one has been a huge hit since it debuted at last year's Orlando Bead Retreat. Drop a comment below if you're interested, including which colorway you would like. $85 includes all the beads, a printed tutorial, and shipping (USA only please). Thanks!

02/05/2026

Brand New Design!! "Winter Reflection" pe**te bracelet
Complete Kit price: $55, with free shipping (USA only please)

The recent crazy cold weather and snow flurrying in places where it has absolutely NO business, did result in one good thing -- I finally finished and kitted this design that I started last winter and then had tabled for a bit.

This pattern is a dramatic black and white snowflake design, with touches of sparkling silver. It is finished with an iridescent, asymmetrical fringed edging that includes white pearls and twisted crystal AB bugle beads. The prerequisite stitch knowledge is odd-count pe**te, so you can get a perfectly matching reflection on either side of the center silver stripe. Both a printed graph and word chart are provided for the pe**te, and detailed instructions with photographs on how to add the edging and clasp are also included in the printed tutorial. Oh, and don't worry about sizing -- you'll be instructed on how to work from the center out so it will be perfect for everyone!

Comment below if interested :)

01/27/2026

A sweet little bead embroidery project for Valentines Day -- the "Lovestruck Earrings"

I've made a limited number of kits for any beaders that might be interested. They are $35, which includes all materials, printed tutorial and even free shipping (US only please). Comment below if you would like a kit. Thanks for checking them out!

01/09/2026

Orlando Bead Retreat 2026!!
Say hello to the “Cornwall Bridge Bracelet “
Hope to see you there 😃

12/31/2025

Next month I’ll be traveling up to the Atlanta area and plan on stopping by Beadjoux Bead Store to teach a little impromptu Cosmic Ring class! Who would like to join me? Come on Georgia girls, come out and play beads with me! 😁

This Embroidery Art item by beadjoux has 4 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Braselton, GA. Listed on Dec 28, 2025