How do I cover an object with seed beads?

Question

I want to cover a small guitar in seed beads but have no idea how you cover an object with beads.

Answer 1

another option yet, is to use 'liquid beads'... they're seed beads, but they come in a little jar that's got the glue already in it... you just spread it over the object, and let it dry.  voila!  seed beaded objects. ;)  

good luck!!

STB

Answer 2

Another possibility is to use double-sided adhesive sheets. Apply one side to the guitar, then peel off the plastic from the other side and apply seed beads everywhere. (You can buy sheets at craft stores like Michael's, A.C. Moore, etc.)

Good luck!

Answer 3

use a good glue...made to stick on your surface and then you have to put them on..one by one...

Answer 4

May I add to the previous poster: you'll also need a bottle of aspirin or hot pack from hunching over!

Answer 5

There are a couple of different ways to go about covering a surface with beads. You can either glue, or use a double sided tape.

If you're going to glue, the first thing you'll want to make sure is that you have an easy way to apply the glue. You're going to waste a lot of glue if you dollop it out on a plate and apply with a popsicle stick or something like that. Also, you have to check the drying time of the glue.. If it dries to quickly, you're going to only be able to do a VERY small area at a time. Remember, just because you can kind of squish the bead onto the glue doesn't mean it will stick; if the surface has dried too far, you're going to have beads popping off on you.

You can find terrifically tacky tape in different widths, as well as in sheet form. It can usually be found in beadwork or scrapbook supply stores, or craft stores, or online. Make sure that it is designed for use with beads, or it may not be sticky enough to keep the beads on for good. If you have a specific design you have in mind, you could try covering the surface with the tape, then cutting the second backing off in the pattern and filling it in.

A couple of tips, either way. Buy beads by the hank. That way, if you're looking to have the beads on the surface in lines, you can use them already strung, press them on the sticky surface, and take out the string. Also, when you've let the glue dry, or the tape cure, get a clear spray varnish from your local hardware store and do a coat or two over the whole surface, just to add one more layer of security.