Since ancient times, icons have occupied an important place in the house of Russian people. There was not a single hut whose walls would not be adorned with the faces of saints. In our time, little has changed, except that there are more techniques and methods for their implementation.
Bead placer
One of the most popular methods for performing icons today is embroidery of icons with beads, a master class of which we will now hold.
A very small number of craftswomen with vast experience can create their creations directly on fabric that does not contain a printed pattern. The rest are embroidered with beads directly on the finished blanks. Ideal for this pattern beadwork icons. In this case, a ready-made multi-colored pattern is present on the fabric, it remains only to attach the beads on top.
Selection of schemes
The purchase of material for embroidery should be treated responsibly, because the appearance of the finished product depends on it in the first place.
If you decide to embroider the icon with beads, you need to purchase the scheme in a specialized store. If you decide to save on materials, then in return you run the risk of getting something incomprehensible, only remotely resembling the product that you would like to receive as a result of your labors. Since the icon, regardless of whether you embroider it for yourself or make it as a gift, this is an item that will please the eye for more than one year and even more than one decade, the material should be appropriate. It is best when the pattern of embroidery with beads of the icon below is sealed with non-woven fabric. Then the beads will hold on tight, and when pulling the finished product onto plywood or cardboard, it will be much easier for you to frame it.
Now we pay attention directly to the applied drawing. It should be clear, for beginners it is best to dwell on the option when the entrance and exit of the needle in the diagram (the places where the needle with the stringed bead is stuck) are marked with dark dots. Beginners are so much easier. Later, when the eye has already been set, you can use the scheme without the above marks.
Bead selection
Having decided what kind of icon you are going to embroider, you proceed to the next, very important stage - the selection of beads.
As a rule, in order to embroider beads on fabrics, material from Czech manufacturers is selected. There are a lot of goods from Chinese firms on the market. However, compared to them, Czech beads are even, smooth, beads are one to one, and there is practically no marriage. This uniformity is very important in beadwork. Since it is the quality of the material that guarantees a beautiful job. When the beads lie one in one, the icon, and any other picture, acquires an unusually luxurious look, shimmers in the sunlight and gives joy to its owner.
Training in embroidery techniques
Bead embroidery, the master class of which is presented in our article, is a very fascinating activity. The main thing in doing the work is accuracy. If you make even stitches and stack all the beads on one side, you will get an unusually beautiful product. As for how to embroider correctly, opinions differ. Some needlewomen embroider from bottom to top, passing with a needle stitches in the direction from the lower left corner of each square of the pattern to the upper right. Others, on the contrary, embroider from top to bottom. In this case, the needle passes from the upper left to the lower right. Choose a comfortable embroidery corner with good lighting. In the evening, you can additionally use a table lamp. It is best to arrange the beads according to their colors in special containers - then it will not crumble, and it will be convenient to string it on a needle. Choose the most suitable embroidery method for you (many prefer to do work from the bottom up) and feel free to start your work. The result of your work will be an icon that will protect you or your friends (if you embroider it for a gift).
Why do icons help?
The Russian Orthodox Church believes that the Lord is sensitive to prayers before the faces of those saints who, during their lifetime, have proved their special purity, the presence of the Holy Spirit in them, thanks to which they performed their good deeds in a particular area. At the same time, each saint was given the power to help people precisely in those matters that he himself was engaged in during his lifetime. This became the main decisive factor in why each icon has its own special purpose. Let us dwell on the most common faces of saints.
Icon "Seven-shot"
In a large assortment on sale are embroidered nominal icons with beads. It’s easy to pick up patterns for their embroidery, the main thing is to decide which icon you need.
It should be borne in mind that all of them, in addition to their appearance, also have a symbolic meaning. For example, the “Seven-shot” icon, the beadwork scheme of which is presented in almost every needlework store, has long been known for its healing abilities. It is also believed that in front of this icon one should pray for enemies, they ask in front of her for heart softening, even her second name speaks of it - “Softening of evil hearts”.
The image of Nicholas the Wonderworker
"Nikolai the Miracle Worker" - an icon with beads, the scheme of which is no less common. It is considered a kind of amulet that protects and brings grace.
It is said that for each person this icon has a special meaning that is known only to him. Everyone remembers the feast of
St. Nicholas from childhood. After all, it is this saint who brings gifts to obedient children every winter. According to legend, Nicholas the Wonderworker during his life gave gifts to poor people, for this nobility and other no less good deeds, he was ranked among the saints.
Wedding Icons
Often needlewomen get a scheme for embroidery with beads of a wedding icon . More precisely, this is not one icon, but a couple that will protect and preserve the bride and groom. There are many varieties of such icons. What distinguishes them in the first place is that they always go in pairs. A beaded kit will undoubtedly be an excellent wedding gift.
The purpose of the icons
Since we can talk about each icon individually indefinitely, we will try to briefly consider the main ones and find out what help they provide.
It is believed that the icon "The watchful eye", "Bethlehem" and "The Seven-Faced Mother of God", the icon "Crucifixion" and "Mother of God located above the gates" are able to protect the house from thieves.
The icons of the Mother of God “Three Hands”, “Joy and Consolation”, “The Grace of Heaven”, “The Indestructible Wall”, the image of St. Panteleimon have long been endowed with healing properties.
To pray for beauty and love from the Lord, the icons of the Mother of God “Fadeless Color”, “It Is Worthy to Eat” were brought to the house. Also turned to the face of "Savior Golden Hair" and the icon "Transfiguration of the Lord."
In order to pray for the obedience of children, they used the icons of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the images of the Mother of God - the Key of Reasoning and the Bearer of the Mind.
Where to choose an icon?
Most beginner needlewomen go in search of the necessary scheme for specialized stores. However, sometimes, in order to choose something for yourself, you will have to get around many of those that sell beadwork. Icons, schemes (photos) can be seen in our article. Thus, when you decide which particular icon you are going to embroider, you can safely get to work. The choice of schemes is unusually large, if you wish, you can arrange delivery of the goods you like not only from Russia, but also from abroad.
Here, in our article, embroidery of icons with beads is presented, a master class of which is conducted by experienced needlewomen. Many craftswomen began their work precisely on such recommendations. Any beadwork, and the implementation of the icon in particular, is a spiritual process. In talented hands, the pattern of embroidery with beads of the icon will become a real masterpiece. She can be a great gift.
The pattern of beadwork you bought for the icon will bring you incomparable pleasure. Indeed, in addition to the purpose of this image, it absorbs the warmth of your hands and the love enclosed during work. That is why experienced needlewomen advise to embroider in a good mood, and pray before that.