Bead embroidery icons: learning the technique in master classes

Bead embroidery of icons is an absolutely mysterious needlework that magically attracts both experienced and novice needlewomen. Embroidering icons with beads can only be done after acquiring special skills. Before starting the training lesson, you need to understand that the process of embroidering icons with beads is almost jewelry-like, having a mysterious meaning. In order for an icon to become a real amulet for you or your loved ones, you need to have the right approach to the process of embroidering it.

Before embroidering an icon with beads and pearls, you will need a special prayer to read. This can be done immediately before embroidering the icon. Prayer will become a piece of your soul invested in it, and it is it that will make the difficult process of embroidery pleasant and joyful. It can be argued that prayer will be useful throughout the time when we are embroidering icons with beads. In our lesson we will use photo and video materials that accompany any master class.

Master class for beginners

Embroidering an icon with beads can become much easier if you do it on fabric from a ready-made kit, which can be purchased before starting work. Any of these sets has a canvas. It contains diagrams for an icon made of beads. Embroidering an icon from a set is also a jewelry business, but less troublesome because it contains a complete set of materials and tools. Our first master class for beginners with a video lesson is of great importance and will help you create icons with your own hands. So, in this video you can watch an embroiderer at work with a ready-made set for bead embroidery of icons.

On the canvas there is a schematic designation of the numbers of beads that are present in the work, and are packaged in separate bags. Before starting work, for convenience, you can place each color in a separate container, which will greatly facilitate the process of bead embroidery. Designations for the bead color scheme are available at the bottom of the picture. Beads are placed over the entire surface of the icon, where the design requires it, except for the hands and faces of saints. In the old days, the holy icon was decorated with pearls, the role of which in our lesson will be played by beads that have a white color and a hint of mother-of-pearl. It is very important that all stitches go in the same direction, and then the beads will lie the same, and the icon will become a piece of jewelry created with your own hands.

The main differences and rules of church embroidery

The secret of the beauty of beaded icons lies in their spiritual content, Christian doctrine in general and the kindness and meekness of the craftswomen.

If you want to make a real icon from beads yourself, so that it will protect you, your loved ones, your family hearth, your home, or serve as an emergency assistant in business for your friends, treat the canons of church embroidery with understanding and seriously.

While working on the icon you should:

Take to work only in a good mood.
While embroidering, do not think about bad things and do not wish anyone, even mentally, any harm. On the contrary, cultivate bright thoughts, think and dream about good things, and in the process the world will turn to its better side towards you.
That is why it is recommended for pregnant women to create icons, because they carry a living soul under their hearts and through their motherhood they come closer to the Mother of God.
Keep the work area and the embroidery process itself clean, do not leave it anywhere, avoid noisy and crowded places.
It is not recommended for women to do needlework during their menstrual periods.
It is better to adhere to modesty in food and observe church fasting.
Usually the faces and hands of saints, Jesus and the Virgin Mary are not embroidered on beaded icons. They are painted. Therefore, it is better to use ready-made sewing kits. Moreover, they already contain a set of beads of all the necessary colors and a convenient diagram.

If you decide to seriously engage in icon embroidery, then keep in mind that real icons cannot be sold. They can only be presented as a gift or used as a shrine, with due respect.

When the work is ready and decorated, go to the nearest church for Liturgy or Vespers, pray, and after the end of the main service, ask the priest to consecrate your creation.

It’s even better if you yourself confess beforehand and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Church craftswomen know how to properly start working on an icon; for those who are only interested in Orthodoxy and are taking the first steps towards the true faith, we have specially provided the following section.

Personalized icons embroidered with beads

Every person needs to have in his home personalized icons depicting the saint in whose honor he was given a name at baptism. This saint or saint is the patron saint of the person named by the same name. Personalized icons become a talisman and symbolize the presence of God's power in the house, and this is of great importance for each of us. And besides this, all personalized paintings with a saint or saint embroidered on them decorate any interior. Personalized embroidered paintings are jewelry, decorated with pearls and beads, and pleasing to the eye.

Personalized paintings can be made on canvas, where there are already ready-made patterns, and the color is selected. All materials, and even the printed prayer, are present in a ready-made set, which can be purchased in a retail chain or on the Internet. Such a set is purchased before starting work, carefully choosing its contents and even the desired color of the beads.

Embroidery materials and tools

Most often, craftswomen buy ready-made paintings with a pattern applied , which need to be sewn up with certain colors. Beads are used to fill areas of clothing, as well as church symbols, leaving faces untouched.

To work you will need:

Beads of any color except gray and black - they should not be used in embroidery. It is advisable to buy beads of the same size in order to sew the canvas tightly, without gaps.
Canvas – selected depending on the technique.
Embroidery needles.
Threads . For beading techniques, you can take durable transparent or matching beads.

It is recommended to purchase a hoop or frame to hold the canvas and make it easier to work with.

Embroidery of a personal icon of St. Helena

Our master class will show you a handmade work that depicts St. Helena. Such a picture made of stones and beads should belong to any woman named Elena. You can embroider it for yourself if you were named Elena at baptism, or for your close relative or friend. But this is only if her name is also Elena. This master class will tell you about a ready-made kit for embroidering icons with beads. In addition to beads, Saint Helena is decorated with pearls. There was also a place for jewelry stones here. The color of these stones is mainly blue and white.

Name paintings of saints are made in the same way as all other icons. You can embroider on them only those places that are marked in the diagram. The color of the beads fully corresponds to the one indicated schematically on the canvas and cannot be replaced with another similar one. Personalized paintings of saints must be signed. Each of them in the finished set has inscriptions that indicate that these icons are personal. In this master class you can see that this is an icon of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Helen. Notice how amazing the beauty of this picture made of beads and stones is. Remember how beautiful personalized paintings are, and the process of embroidering them will be quick and enjoyable for you. And now you can choose your own saint or saint for your family, and embroider personalized pictures with beads.

Features of icon embroidery

Icons sewn with beads are so beautiful that they are equated to works of art and they think that sewing them is very difficult. Not certainly in that way.

The choice of patterns and manufacturers is large, and you can find small-sized embroideries, simple ones, with a small number of colors, which will be very useful for the first time. Under your patient hands, biblical stories will be born, coloured, shimmering and sparkling in the sun.

Hand-made icons are not just embroidery, they are a noble, godly activity. The process of their creation requires a special approach and a special attitude.

Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”

Bead embroidery of an icon is an almost jewelry activity that has great spiritual significance. It can be difficult to understand the large number of proposed subjects and faces of saints. In our lesson we will focus on some of them, the most famous among believers. One of these paintings of the saint’s face is called “Tenderness.” This icon depicts the Mother of God. It is here that her appearance looks most touching to the soul of any person. The process of embroidering the painting Tenderness will depend on what patterns are present on this particular icon.

It was this picture of the face of the Mother of God that the great saint, Seraphim of Sarov, loved very much. He made his requests before her. His holy prayer was addressed specifically to the painting of Tenderness. In this picture, the image of the Mother of God is present without little Jesus, and only at half her height. Her palms are humbly folded on her chest, and her lips seem to be pronouncing some kind of speech. Tradition says that at that moment she turned to Archangel Gabriel, who brought her the good news of the birth of her son. Bead embroidery of an icon of such content is of great importance and can only lead to positive events. To embroider this picture, both beads and pearls with stones are used.

The icon of tenderness in former times was the patroness of the holy elder Seraphim of Sarov, healed him in illness, protected him from unkind people and all kinds of evil. Therefore, it was she who was special and the main one in the arsenal of icons of the holy elder. After his death, this icon was placed in a convent. It was for her that the cathedral had a special robe made of silver and gold. And already in 1902, the Russian Emperor presented another precious robe and a lamp made of silver and enamel. This lamp was never turned off, and its flame burned day and night in front of the holy face of the Madonna. Bead embroidery of the “Tenderness” icon can be of great importance in the life of any of us, and become a contribution to the common holy cause of disseminating its image.

In the twenties of the last century, the convent was closed, and one of the nuns saved the icon from destruction. She kept the face of the Madonna in her home. And already in the nineties of the last century, the image of the holy Mother of God was brought to the church. The Icon of Tenderness is painted in two main versions. One of them depicts Madonna wearing a white headdress. In addition, she wears red and blue clothes. Each specific color in paintings depicting the faces of saints is of great importance.

The second version of the embroidery of the painting of the Mother of God “Tenderness” shows the Madonna surrounded by a golden halo and clothes in silver shades. The color of the halo above the head of the Mother of God is depicted as the color of the sun's rays. This icon has its own special days on which it is celebrated. It occurs on the tenth of August and the twenty-second of December. Despite the fact that in past times this picture was the protector of St. Seraphim, now it is feminine, and therefore it should be embroidered by a woman or girl. Our lesson shows bead embroidery of the “Tenderness” icon in different versions. Pay attention to the photos that you will find in the lesson. Basically, all these paintings with the face of the Madonna in tenderness are embroidered with beads and pearls, where there is a place for rhinestones and jewelry stones. It is customary to paint the face and palms with paints on very delicate fabric.

LiveInternetLiveInternet

Monday, November 11, 2013 19:29 + to quote book

Icons embroidered with beads Small MASTER CLASS on Embroidering ICONS with beads, part 1 Small MASTER CLASS on Embroidering ICONS with beads, part 2

Icons made of pearls and beads

Covers of Orthodox icons embroidered with beads.mp4 The role and meaning of icons https://www.rukodelinka.ru/opis.htm The role and meaning of icons: “THE HOLY TRINITY” - written by Andrei Rublev. The symbol of the “Trinity” is God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Or - wisdom, reason, love. One of the three main icons that should be in every home. In front of the icon they pray for forgiveness of sins. It is considered confessional. “Iverskaya MOTHER OF GOD” is the keeper of the hearth. She is considered the patroness of all women, their helper and intercessor before the Lord. An icon used to remove the “crown of celibacy” from both men and women. In front of the icon they also pray for the healing of physical and mental illnesses, for consolation in troubles. “MOTHER OF GOD OF KAZAN” is the main icon of Russia, the intercessor of the entire Russian people, especially in difficult, troubled times. All the main events in life take place with her, starting with baptism. The icon gives a blessing for marriage, and it is also an assistant in work. An icon that stops fire and helps those with vision problems. Before the icon they pray for help in various everyday needs. “THE MOTHER OF GOD OF VLADIMIR” - written by the Evangelist Luke. The icon is considered one of the most revered images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rus'. Tsars were crowned and high priests were elected in front of this icon. Before her they pray for the humility of those at war, for the softening of evil hearts, for the healing of bodily and mental weaknesses, as well as for the healing of the possessed. “TIKHVIN MOTHER OF GOD” - written by the Evangelist Luke. The icon is considered a child’s icon; it is also called a “guidebook”. She helps children in illness, calms the restless and disobedient, helps them choose friends, and protects them from the bad influence of the street. It is believed that it strengthens the bond between parents and children, that is, children do not abandon their parents in old age. Helps women during childbirth and pregnancy. Those who have problems also turn to her. “SEVEN ARCH” is the strongest icon in protecting the house and any premises, as well as the person on whom it is located, from evil, envious people, from the evil eye, damage and curses. She reconciles warring parties, brings peace and harmony, and is also hired for important matters. At home, she should be in front of the front door so that she can see the eyes of the person entering. Before installing the icon, you need to read a prayer, and then observe who stops coming to your house. “QUICK TO HEAR” - the image was painted in the 10th century. They pray in front of the icon when quick and urgent help is needed, for the healing of mental and physical ailments, including paralysis, blindness, cancer, and also ask for the birth of healthy children and the release of prisoners. “HEALER” - the icon is one of the most ancient and revered. In front of the icon they pray for healing of the soul and body; it protects from various misfortunes, troubles, sorrow, eternal condemnation, and takes care of liberation from imprisonment. Childbirth assistant. “INEXHAIBLE CHALICE” - The Mother of God prays for all sinners and calls for an inexhaustible source of spiritual joy and consolation, proclaiming that the inexhaustible cup of heavenly help and mercy is prepared for those who ask with faith. It brings prosperity to the home, and also helps to heal from bad habits, drunkenness, drug addiction, and gambling. “UNBREAKABLE WALL” - located in the main altar of the Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral. For more than ten centuries, this miraculous icon remained intact. That's probably why it's named like that. In front of the icon for every need: healing for the sick, consolation for the grieving, admonition for the lost, protect babies, educate and teach the young, encourage and instruct husbands and wives, support and warm the old, deliver from all misfortunes. “THREE-HANDED” - the miraculous image of the Mother of God was painted in the eighth century in honor of the Monk John of Damascus, a church hymn writer who was innocently slandered. In front of the icon they pray for healing from hand pain or injury, from fire, as well as from illness, grief and sadness. “UNEXPECTED JOY” is an icon about forgiveness of sins and grateful healing. Before the icon they pray for the conversion of the lost, for the health and well-being of children, for the healing of deafness and ear diseases, for the preservation of marriage in love and harmony. “BLESSED MATRONA” is a very powerful saint of our time. People turn to her for any difficult issue. She is our “first helper” and intercessor, intercessor for us before the Lord. The relics are located in the Intercession Monastery on Taganka, where every day countless people come and turn to her for help. “NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER” is the favorite saint of the Russian people. He protects from poverty and need: when his icon is in the house, he makes sure that there is prosperity in the house, and protects from the need for anything. In addition, he is the patron saint of all travelers, drivers, sailors, pilots and just people who are on the road and revere St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The relics of St. Nicholas the Pleasant are located in Italy. “THE HOLY GREAT MARTYR PANTELEMON” is a great healer, patron of doctors. During his lifetime he brought healing to many people from serious illnesses. And now people receive a charge for miraculous healing from the icon with the face of St. Panteleimon. “GEORGE THE VICTORIOUS” is the patron saint of Moscow, as well as an assistant to those people whose work involves weapons and risks to life - the military, police, firefighters, rescuers. In addition, these include athletes and people starting a new business. "SERGIUS OF RADONEZH" - founder of the Sergius Trinity Lavra in the 14th century. He is the patron saint of all students. They take the icon with them when taking exams and tests. It is very good for the icon to always be in the pocket of your purse or briefcase every day when the child goes to school. “SERAPHIM OF SAROV” is one of the beloved and revered saints of Russia. He devoted his entire life to serving our Lord and founded the Diveyevo convent in the Nizhny Novgorod province. Prayer to Holy Father Seraphim of Sarov helps very well with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, spine, and joints. “GUARDIAN ANGEL” - they pray to him: for help with headaches; about your protection, from insomnia, in grief, about happiness in marriage, about driving away evil spirits, about getting rid of harm from wizards and sorcerers. About the intercession of widows and orphans in despair, about deliverance from sudden or sudden death, about the expulsion of demons. Those going to bed pray to him for deliverance from prodigal dreams.

Categories:

***BEADS/bead tutorials ***BEADS/beadwork

Cited 10 times Liked by: 1 user

Like share

Icon of the Kazan Mother of God, embroidered with beads

Pay your attention to the photo of the icon, which is revered in a special way in the Slavic lands. She is called the Kazan Mother of God. Its presence is useful in the family for many important actions, which is why these icons are most often embroidered with beads. A portrait of the Kazan Mother of God is presented to young people who need to be blessed for a long and happy married life. It is also customary to hang it over the place where small children sleep, and that is why it has such great significance.

The Kazan Mother of God is a long-time intercessor and intercessor of the Orthodox Christian world before God. In addition, the Kazan Mother of God is distinguished by enormous strength, and therefore people turn to her to ask for health and happiness for family and friends. A prayer coming from the soul and addressed to the Kazan Mother of God has helped many people find healing from the most serious illnesses, which is why it can be considered miraculous. Very often, it is the Kazan Mother of God that is given as a gift to the baby before baptism. The image of the Kazan Mother of God can be purchased in monasteries or churches, but you can make such a picture with your own hands. Your personal work will give it even greater strength and influence, because such an icon will be filled with your energy. The face of the Madonna or any other saint must be embroidered with joy and a calm soul.

Many centuries ago, this image was already revered among the people, as well as among Russian tsars and various rulers. They asked for strength to fight and defeat the insidious enemy who so often encroached on Russian lands, and such prayer before battle always helped drive out enemies from Russian land. That is why the Kazan Mother of God has so many churches built in her honor. If you delve into the study of the history of the Russian land, you will notice how before each enemy raid on Rus', another image of the Mother of God appeared. Moreover, there was no logical explanation for this appearance, which means it was a real miracle.

In Rus', embroidering icons with beads with their own hands was practiced in ancient times, and embroiderers have mastered this jewelry skill since childhood. Many ancient paintings embroidered with beads and pearls are kept in museums across the country to this day. These ancient embroidered canvases are more reminiscent of ancient Byzantine mosaics. Nowadays, we also often embroider icons with beads. The Kazan Mother of God makes up the largest part of all the beaded faces of saints. Before starting work, a special prayer is said, and then the face of the saint is sewn with beads and pearls. You only need to embroider those areas indicated on the diagram. It must be remembered that exposed parts of the body, such as the face and hands, remain unstitched. They should be written in paint, but not embroidered.

The Church approves of the embroidery of holy faces with one's own hands, and considers such paintings to be equally miraculous images. Their spiritual value is not inferior to holy paintings that are painted with a brush and paints. Unlike ordinary paintings that have a decorative function, the faces of saints have great spiritual significance for any home and person. Purchasing ready-made kits for embroidering icons with beads and pearls will help you complete the face of the Most Holy Kazan Mother of God in the shortest possible time and with great pleasure.

Icon as a gift - in the traditions of Orthodox love

Choose a beautiful frame for an icon embroidered with beads, or order a decent frame from a framing workshop. The icon will be a good gift for name days, Christmas, and other occasions.

Embroidered with beads with your own hands with bright thoughts, good hopes, selfless intentions, the icon has great spiritual power. It will become a family heirloom and will be passed down from generation to generation and will remind your grandchildren and great-grandchildren of you.

God's help to you in all your affairs and endeavors!

Bead embroidery of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon

There is a special picture of the face of the holy Mother of God to which prayers should be offered if it is necessary to get rid of alcohol, tobacco and drug addiction. You can see this icon in the photo attached to the lesson. This holy image is called the “Inexhaustible Chalice”. In addition, prayer is also said when it is necessary to sort out material and housing problems, to create or save a family. Like all miraculous faces of saints, this icon was found miraculously at the beginning of the nineteenth century. For this reason, there is no information about the history of the creation of the holy painting “The Inexhaustible Chalice”. There is only information that this painting is an example of the art of icon painting according to the Byzantine model. This icon is considered miraculous because it has the property of streaming myrrh.

The “Inexhaustible Chalice” enjoys great love and veneration of all believers. Prayer in front of this icon saved many families from disintegration, and people from drunkenness and drug addiction. Many parents pray to the saints in the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon before sending their children on a long journey. When children become adults, prayer to this image of saints will help parents protect them from spiritual loss and moral mistakes. It must be remembered that any prayer addressed to the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon, or to another miraculous picture, must be said with all your soul. Otherwise, a formal reading of the text will not allow you to get the desired answer.

We offer you a master class, which shows the hand-embroidered work “The Inexhaustible Chalice. The embroidery was done with beads of several colors. There is a very beautiful blue color around the head of little Jesus. The clothes on the Madonna's hands, which she raises upward in prayer, are made in a transparent dark green color. This color has incredible depth and is very similar to a precious emerald. The Mother of God's clothes are hand-embroidered, using different shades of red. The edges are edged with an orange border, and deep in the relief there are bright red and dark red beads, the color of garnet stone.

Embroidery techniques and other handicraft subtleties

The beading technique only looks complicated in appearance, but in fact it is even a little simpler than regular cross stitch. Of course, any handicraft requires patience, attentiveness and perseverance.

The traditional embroidery technique (classical) is sewn in horizontal rows using the same thread. Beads of a certain color are strung on it and vary depending on the pattern. The most important thing is that the beads lie flat, make stitches from corner to corner in one direction:

Odd rows are from the top left corner to the bottom right.
Even rows - from the bottom right to the top left corner.

There is a “attached” technique, when many beads are strung on a needle at once and then the entire row is secured to the fabric. The beaded surface with voluminous beads, rhinestones, and pearls looks very beautiful. This is how the robes and halos of saints are usually decorated.

In Orthodoxy, color has a symbolic meaning, for example, blue is the color of purity, symbolizing the Mother of God, white is the color of purity of thoughts and holiness, red is the color of suffering and love, green is the color of life, black is the color of mourning and sorrow, gold signifies the Kingdom of Heaven.

These subtleties must be taken into account and applied correctly if you select bead colors yourself. Also pay attention to the markings indicating its color and size. Beads from different manufacturers differ in quality and price.

Think in advance about which hoop you will use to do the work. You can simply sew a small icon by hand if you have experience and are confident that you will not skimp on the work. Most ready-made patterns are applied to a dense base lined with non-woven fabric.

Medium-sized images can be sewn on a regular round hoop. Remember that it will no longer be possible to move the work in the hoop. You will not be able to hold the embroidered part with a clip. Larger work will need to be mounted on an embroidery frame.

For beads, it is better to use special cassette boxes for each color. The colors are clearly visible and the holes in the white fabric are visible. To quickly string beads for embroidery, you can place a small part of it on a white or light-colored handkerchief or cloth napkin.

The strength of the warp thread is important for beads. They behave well - thin silk threads or special fishing line for embroidery do not get tangled or fray. The most inconspicuous colors in the work are usually the white and beige shades of the thread.

Video: Icon “Inexhaustible Chalice” with beads

The background of the painting is embroidered in shades of silver and gold, which add shine and beauty to the image. The process of embroidering this picture lasted about four days, and was accompanied by positive thoughts and emotions. The embroidery was done with monofilament thread, on which a strong knot was tied before starting work. To do this, the end of the cut thread is burned with fire until a ball is formed. The length of the thread can be measured at arm's length, and this will be very convenient for working with beads and pearls. When a piece of thread ends, you must make a few stitches and knots from the reverse side so that the work does not unravel. It is best to embroider with beads and pearls with a long and thin needle. So, we have finished our lesson on embroidering icons with beads and pearls, in which we conducted several master classes with photo and video materials.