By utilising International Morse Code, you can seamlessly integrate text into beadwork. The following steps showcase the intricate craftsmanship and complexity involved in creating these unique pieces of art.
Once the words and colours have been decided upon, work can begin. Firstly the long hand is translated into International Morse Code.
The long process of threading the beads begins. Dashes and dots are one colour with spaces between words, letters and parts of letters in a contrasting colour. The entire text is strung on one continuous thread.
A dot is represented by a single bead and a dash is made up of three beads. Spaces between words are 7 beads; between letters, 3 beads and between characters in the same letter by single beads. Kipling’s poem ‘If’ code measured over 23 metres of strung beads on completion.
Once proof read (and yes they really are proof read with cotton sewn around stray beads or where another bead is needed), the next stage is to sew the 'text', starting at the end of the poem onto special foundation fabric in spirals around a central circle.
The completed poem is backed with leather or ultrasuede to hide and preserve the stitching for longevity.
The final stage is to add a decorative edge to complete the artwork. The poem can be 'read' from the outside to the centre. The whole process takes considerable time and care to complete - 'If' took 12 days of concentration to complete. Each project will be accompanied by a copy of International Morse Code, the Morse Code transcript and the long hand text.
