How it all started
Theodora
It all began in a forgotten drawer.
It was December 2013, and while I was trying to clear some space in the storage room at my parents-in-law’s house, I came across a few samples made with pearls and seed beads — a tote-in-progress and some bracelets. The work belonged to my mother-in-law, Toula, who had passed away before I ever had the chance to meet her: a wonderful person, a creative and talented woman, and a teacher of fine arts.
Her creativity was everywhere in the house — paintings, metal clay work, paper and wire crafts, and beautiful collections of shells. But I had never seen anything bead-woven before, so those little samples immediately caught my attention. That was my very first contact with the art of bead-weaving, which was not as widely known in Greece as it was in other countries.
Shortly afterwards, Anna — a relative and friend — shared with me some of the supplies Toula had given her. I was so impressed and excited that I wanted to learn everything about bead-weaving. As a child I had always loved painting and crafting, although school and sports had left little time for creative hobbies. But thanks to the internet, and to my knowledge of English and Italian, I was able to explore, learn, and discover more and more.
I started by learning the basic stitches. Some of them I have barely used since, but I know they are there if a future design ever calls for them.
It was love at first sight: geometric beadwork.
Once I saw how these tiny, colourful beads could be used to create almost every possible geometric shape — flat or three-dimensional — there was no turning back. That was when I truly got hooked, and when I realised that Peyote stitch was the one I loved most.
I bought several books on geometric beadwork, and at the same time I connected through Facebook with advanced artists and designers from the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, and many other places. Their work inspired me deeply.
As I gained a better understanding of the basic construction principles, I began creating playful geometric cuffs and experimenting with structure, colour, and form. Some of the first pieces I was really proud of belong to that period.
Very soon, I felt the need to experiment with new shapes and forms, and to combine different techniques. That is how my first original projects were born. As I began sharing my work online, beading friends started asking me for tutorials.
In November 2015, I opened my Etsy shop and began selling my beadwork designs. My first tutorial was for a pair of heart earrings. I used my AutoCAD skills — a professional design program used by engineers — to create clear and accurate diagrams. I found that I enjoyed the process of drawing diagrams almost as much as designing and weaving the jewellery itself.
I understand the worry of beaders who are new to a technique and really want to complete a piece they have fallen in love with. That is why I have always tried to make my tutorials detailed, clear, and easy to follow, with diagrams that guide the maker step by step.
Today, I am also very happy to have created my own home website, zialolabeadsit.net. It gives me the freedom to shape my little online world exactly as I want it — or at least to try! — without the limits that naturally come with larger marketplaces and multi-shop platforms. It feels more personal, more independent, and much closer to the spirit of Zia Lola Beads It.
I truly believe that we all carry a creative spark inside us, waiting for the right moment to be released — no matter our age, our background, or how “artistic” we think we are. If you are reading this and feeling drawn to beadwork, then there is probably something in it for you too.
Beading is like a creative playground for adults. It is about joy, patience, colour, focus, and the small happiness of watching something beautiful grow in your hands — apart from those moments, of course, when you are trying to thread your needle!
You do not need special skills to make a wonderful piece, even as a beginner. There are many designers who share their work through detailed tutorials that guide you step by step. What you really need is patience, curiosity, and a realistic choice of project. If you fall in love with a necklace but then realise halfway through that it takes much longer than you expected, frustration can take over. So aim for something achievable. Beading should remain enjoyable.
It is also important to remember that bead-weaving with a needle is not the same as simple bead stringing. The beautiful beadwoven jewellery you admire is not only the result of talent; it also depends on the right materials. High-quality seed beads or cylinder beads give your work the uniformity and structure this type of craft needs.
If you are investing your time in making something special, it is worth investing in good materials too. As a beginner, it helps to choose tutorials that include a detailed materials list — bead type, brand, size, colour codes, quantities, needle size, thread recommendations — everything that makes the process easier and more enjoyable.
And a few practical tips: always work in good light, use your glasses if you need them, and keep your beads sorted by type, size, and, if you like, by colour family.
Finally, if you use social media, you will discover a whole community of beaders and designers from all over the world. They will welcome you, encourage you, advise you, and inspire you. Interact, share, ask, learn, and let yourself be inspired. There is something truly magical about opening your feed and seeing it filled with beautiful handmade creations.
You never know what a few tiny beads might start.
