Microbead greeting card envelopes are 16 kits in the 84×140 mm format. What sets them apart from ordinary beaded cards is the material: Preciosa size 13 microbeads are half the size of standard beads, so twice as much detail fits into the same area. Fifteen of the sixteen kits are rated advanced.
Why advanced
The difficulty is scale rather than technique. A 1.6 mm bead instead of a 2.3 mm one means a finer needle, more rows per centimetre and a higher cost to a mistake: a shift of a single bead shows. In exchange the image comes out almost painterly, with soft transitions of colour.
What is included
- Artist canvas with the full-colour design printed on it.
- Preciosa size 13 microbeads, 5–12 colours.
- A microbead needle.
- The card and envelope blank.
- Illustrated instructions.
Questions and answers
How long does one card take?
8–12 hours, so three or four evenings.
Do I need special lighting?
A lamp to the side makes microbead work noticeably easier. A magnifier is optional.
Is it suitable for a beginner?
Better to start with an ordinary beaded card or a microbead mini magnet to get used to the scale.
How does it differ from a standard beaded card?
In bead size and therefore in detail. The format and contents are the same.