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How to Transfer a Drawing Onto Graph Paper for Beading

Though hundreds of free beading patterns exist online, nothing is more original than using your own drawing for a beading project. "Variations let us use the same technique and yet make it our own," writes author Carol Wells. "It's at the base of our own creativity." In Colonial times, American Indians used bead "patterns (to reflect) the styles of the time as well as traditional designs," Wells writes. The connecting step between the raw, original design and the final project is the graphed pattern.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Window or other bright light source
  • Tape
  • Drawing
  • Beading graph paper
  • Color pencils
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Bold the main shapes and outlines of the drawing you want to appear in the final project.

    • 2

      Bold any secondary shapes, outlines and shadows of the drawing you want to appear in the final project.

    • 3

      Tape the drawing to a well-lit window or other bright light source, such as a light box.

    • 4

      Tape beading graph paper over the drawing. Make sure you can see the drawing's outlines through the graph paper.

    Transfer

    • 5

      Trace the main shapes of the drawing lightly onto the graph paper.

    • 6

      Trace the shadows, large details and other secondary features of the drawing lightly onto the graph paper.

    • 7

      Remove the graph paper and the drawing from the light source, placing the drawing nearby for easy reference.

    • 8

      Draw bold lines around the edges of the graph squares that best fit the drawing outlines. Disregard graph squares that fit less than 10 percent within the outlines. The final outline should look like a squared-off version of the first outline.

    • 9

      Choose color pencils that best match the drawing's main colors.

    • 10

      Color in the different sections of the pattern, referring to the drawing for accuracy.

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