3 Unique Miyuki Bead Design Ideas


If you’re new to bead crafts, it may take a few tries to get a beading project to look how you imagined – and that’s okay! But once you have successfully created a few different projects with your beads, you may be looking to branch out and try something new.

Many beaders will be familiar with Miyuki Beads – one of the most popular types of beads available on the market. So what are Miyuki Beads? And what kinds of unique and inspiring designs can you make with them?

In this blog, we will briefly explain what Miyuki beads are and why they are so popular, and then link three unique design ideas that Miyukis can be used in to inspire you.

What are Miyuki Beads?

Miyuki are a well-known Japanese glass bead manufacturer, and their beads are considered incredibly high-quality. Each bead is created to exact quality and measurements, making for consistent shape and size when using them in beading projects. There are many different types of Miyuki beads – but the most common and well-known are Delicas and Seed beads – which is the main types of Miyukis we will be discussing today.

Find out more about Miyuki Delica and Seed Beads.

Keychains

The first of our unique design ideas comes directly from Miyuki and uses their world-famous Miyuki Delica Beads. They are called ‘Miyuki Delica Maneki Neko Charms’ and essentially are hanging charms or even keychains where the design can be created with beads.

These particular pieces use small waving cats as the design, however with practice and some preparation you could use the concept to create any keychain design idea.

The design uses nylon thread and ladder and brick stitching methods along with the Miyuki Seed Beads.

These designs are made to be attached to small metal chains so can be used as phone charms, keychains or similar to add a unique element and show off your skill to the world.

See the full Maneki Neko Charm pattern here.

Standing Pieces

Another design that you may not have considered when beginning on your bead embroidery career is to create standing pieces. As a contrast to keychains or jewellery, Miyuki bead projects can be paired with display stands to create upright pieces that can be displayed on any flat surface.

The design we’ve chosen for your inspiration is the Miyuki Delica Bead Chess Piece Statues – another design by Miyuki. These use black, grey, and gold pieces to create different traditional chess pieces such as the King, Queen, Knight, and Pawn. To create a full usable chess set you would also need to swap out the colours for white or another alternative, but these pieces make a fantastic table or shelf décor.

You could even make these into Christmas ornaments if hung in the same way as the keychains above.

Tapestries

The final unique design we will be sharing with you is the Miyuki Mt. Fuji Beyond the Waves Mini Tapestry design.

The mini tapestry is a stunning piece made with Miyuki Delica beads and depicting a beautiful image inspired by Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan. 

This beading project is incredibly unique and very beautiful, using a stunning combination of Miyuki bead colours to create the swirling design.

Tapestries like these can be given as gifts, hung on walls or hooks or even laid out on surfaces to bring something extra to your home.

Looking for more inspiration for your next beading project? Keep an eye on our blog for more patterns and design ideas.

If you’re looking to get started with any of the above designs for your bead embroidery, order your Miyuki Seed Beads and Miyuki Delica Beads online through CJ Beaders today. We offer free delivery throughout the UK on orders over £25 or click and collect from our physical store in the New Forest.

Want to know more about our available products, or can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch today.