There is nothing quite so exquisite as intricate beadwork framing semi-precious stones! To those not in the know, I speak of beaded cabochon art.

Around the internet I've seen it asked enough times to prompt the writing of this guide: what backing materials can I use to provide a stable base for both the cabochon(s) and the beadwork?

You do have options!

The most famous & regularly used standby, of course, is Lacy's Stiff Stuff which can be found in many of your better craft & hobby shops and of course through major bead & jewelry making supply stores on the internet. It can be inconvenient however, to try to hunt down a supply or wait for that order to come in. In lieu of this, I have the following suggestions:

• Heavy interfacing - Readily found in the sewing departments of your local retail giants, or fabric shops, it is also very economical.  The heavier grade, the better (you can even double up on it if you can't find the weight & thickness you desire.)
• Plastic Canvas - This is easily found and a very low-cost backing. Don't bead directly to the plastic canvas without having first glued or stitched on a fabric layer! The plastic canvas will be on the underside of what you are beading to and when you're finished beading a final layer of material is added to the back hiding the plastic canvas. This is very sturdy & economical.
• Thick Fabrics - Such as brocade and velvets (non-stretch varieties). Yes, new yardage is very pricey unless you get lucky at the clearance bin.  To get around this,  keep your eyes peeled at garage sales, antique malls & thrift stores for quality vintage gowns, curtains and etc that can be cut down. Steer clear of the velveteen fabrics. You'll probably need to add an inner layer such as plastic canvas or ? for structural support.
• Leather - My material of choice! Soft, thin, supple leathers work great and add a rich quality to your project. Chamois leather works, as well, but for stiffness & structural support (as with the other materials) you may need to add an inner layer such as plastic canvas.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to any of the alternatives listed above.

• It can be time-consuming building up the layers to the thickness that you desire.
• The finished piece can become a bit thick and bulky if you don't watch what materials you are layering together...this isn't always a bad thing depending upon your artwork.
• Too much thickness makes it hard to push your delicate beading needles through. It can also be dangerous to your fingers! 
• While some of the materials can be found around the home...others are rather pricey. You do have options though, use your imagination!
• On the plus side, beginning beaders will find a stiff beading foundation to be a relief! Until experience is gained (and even then sometimes) it is very easy to put uneven tension or too much tension on your bead-thread which without a stiff backer...will cause puckering and distortion of your beadwork.

Don't let your proximity to a shopping mall or craft outlet prevent you from diving right in! The suggestions I've listed are but just a few of the materials that you can use to get started and hopefully this guide will give you that little nudge of creative inspiration that was needed. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Happy Beading!