Here I will explain how to embellish wooden game tiles with beads using bead embroidery and peyote stitch techniques. Embellished tiles can then be used for various mixed media, altered or assemblage art projects or to create fun and funky art jewelry such as bracelets necklaces,or even earrings. The following guide is a revised article from my own personal artist publication Bead E Art Zine, issue #2.

Many of the supplies needed for this project can be purchased right here on Ebay! Wooden letter tiles can be hard to find and expensive if you purchase a new game just to use the tiles for arts and crafts projects but these games can be found in used condition on Ebay at a fairly cheap price. Beading supplies can also be found very easily on Ebay.

Materials needed for this project include:

• Wooden letter tiles.
• Fabric (wool felt or heavy interfacing will work best).
• Beading needle (size 10 or 12).
• Thread ( I always prefer to use Silamide, but Nymo B will work).
• Size 11/0 glass seed beads.
• Glass bead in various sizes.

Let's get started!

Adding peyote stitch to a wood game tile can be a simple task if you are an intermediate beader with basic bead embroidery knowledge. The step by step diagrams shown should help any beginner catch on quickly.

STEP 1. Glue the wooden game tile to a fabric base using a clear drying fabric glue. My favorite glue for this job is Delta Brand Jewel Glue. Felt or heavy interfacing will work well as the fabric base. Use a fabric that will not fray or stretch. Allow the piece to dry thoroughly overnight.

STEP 2. Once the piece has dried completely you can begin stitching beads into place. Knot off very close to the wooden tile and string four 11/0 seed beads to begin the backstitch process. Take a stitch into the fabric, back up again and go back through the last two beads strung.  Backstitch one row of beads completely around the edge of the tile, see diagram A below. I have used 56 size 11/0 seeds, try to keep the number even for the next step.

STEP 3.  Shown is what will be the first round of the first row of two drop peyote stitch in diagram B. Begin adding the first round of the first row of peyote stitch to the backstitched row by bringing the needle up between two of the backstitched beads, stringing two beads then after skipping two beads in the backstitched row go through the next two beads as shown in the diagram. By adding two beads at a time, all the way around, to the backstitched row you will have completed this first row of two drop peyote stitch.

STEP 4. In peyote stitch you must go around a row twice, adding beads two at a time, to complete the row. Diagram C shows the second round of the first row of two drop peyote.There appears to be two rows but remember that first row was actually a row of backstitching and not peyote stitch.

STEP 5. Begin the first round of row two, shown as red beads in diagram D.

STEP 6. Complete the second round of the second row, diagram E.

STEP 7. Start a new row and add one round of two drop peyote, red beads in diagram F. For the second round on this last row decrease the bead count from two drop to single bead, purple bead in diagram F. Keep a tight, even tension as you work this last round. The beads will begin to curl up around the tile.Once you have completed this last row you can strategically knot your thread between beads and trim away excess thread. If  you are done beading it is time to trim the excess fabric very close to the beadwork. careful not to cut through any of the beading threads. The tiles are now surrounded by two drop peyote stitch and are ready to become part of an assemblage or you can keep embellishing them to create a piece of jewelry.

Short spikey fringe can be added to further embellish the game pieces.  Beaded straps can be added to single tiles to make pendants or several letter tiles can be attached together to form bracelets. Once I get some samples completed I will add photos to this guide of the finished pieces.

NOTE: If you cannot see the photos for Diagrams A-F you may need to refresh the page. I also have a printable copy of this tutorial available...just ask!

Mixed Media  Peyote Stitched Letter Tiles Project designed and written by Ronda Kivett.

Copyright 2006 Kivett Studio - Bead E Art Zine. Do not copy or distribute without permission.

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