Paisley Duo beads are among the most beautiful examples of Paisley. They are not diamonds or crystals. But, Paisley glass beads ARE beautiful and inexpensive, and in world-renowned Czech glass beads, are made by the top glassmakers in the world.
The Czechs, particularly the Bohemian Czechs, have been creating glass beads since the 16th century. However, production was ratcheted up in the 1830s with the introduction of machines that could mass-produce identical beads.
So, while Paisley cottagers were producing Paisley shawls in their thousands on their looms, Bohemian cottagers were creating their heated and pressed glass beads. Both would become famous throughout the world.
While the Paisley textile industry died, the Czech glass bead-making tradition survives, although not on the same scale. Thankfully, one of the items still produced is the Paisley Duo bead, in its many patterns and colours.
Now beads are not known for their medicinal qualities. On the contrary, they can lead to choking when swallowed by small animals that don’t know what they are for. If only they knew! They could bead until their heart is content.
Beading is just such a relaxing hobby. If you want to escape your troubles - albeit temporarily, because they will not go away, consider beading, with Paisley beads.
Paisley Duos are twin-holed and come in many colours but only one shape - Paisley. They measure 8x5mm and have a hole size of 0.8mm. The holes are located at both ends of the bead. They make perfect bracelet beads because they are flat, both left and right-facing, and fit together perfectly.
Their twin-holedness (I know it is not a word!) makes them superior to their one-holed counterpart – but not the fabled eight-holed bead allegedly last spotted 60 years ago rummaging through a skip somewhere in a Connecticut suburb.
The vast majority of Paisley Duo designs use both holes. We have not found any that keep one hole spare - a reserve hole, if you will, for the unlikely event that one hole becomes clogged. Using its two usable holes, they fully stretch the Duo to the maximum of its ability - much like a pair of Polo mints at a car rally.
Necklace
A chunky Paisley Duo glass bead necklace really makes a statement. In addition to saying you have a strong neck, it will say everything you want, depending on the design choice. If that sounds a bit vague, it is! You choose your statement, you choose your design. But, if you want to say you are meek and compliant, a Paisley bead necklace is not for you. And we would add – at the risk of making this paragraph almost unreadable – regardless of whether you make your own (necklace, that is, not bead), commission someone to make it for you, or buy it online, you will not find any alternative that makes a bigger statement.
Bracelet
Glass bead jewellery does not come any better than in a Paisley bracelet - which let's face it is an extremely small necklace. Fortunately, while the Paisley Duo bead remains the same size, many clever people have created specific glass beads for bracelet designs, so you don’t need to bulk up your wrist to find something that will fit you.
Ring
A beaded Paisley ring is unusual – if not unheard of. That’s not to say you could not use the design for a Paisley bracelet, or indeed a Paisley necklace, and just take out a few beads to make that Paisley bead ring you have always craved.
Rug
A Paisley Duo rug is exquisite. Hard-wearing unless stood on, they lend themselves perfectly to the intricate Persian designs typical of the original Paisley garments. And if you should lose a door – for whatever reason – you can double the rug up as one of those hippy-beaded curtain doorways that were so popular in the 60s and 70s.
Key Point: Do not attempt to walk through the improvised rug/door. The beads will not separate into strands (unless it has not been beaded properly). No, lift the rug and walk under it.
Paisley Bead Dress
Wow! Now, this is the ultimate use of Paisley beads. A short-length mini again provides a fantastic throwback to the 60s. And if your goal is to be noticed – you will be noticed! No, you will be more than noticed. You will become an icon! (We would not be surprised if there is already a race underway to create that first Paisley Duo bead dress)
Key Point: Don’t get too tipsy while wearing that Paisley bead dress. A fall will leave you etched with lots of Paisley patterns. This will not become a permanent feature, but will be ever so embarrassing in the short term, particularly when you sober up.
Belt
A Paisley bead belt is just a thick Paisley bead necklace, so by all means, use that necklace design and just throw in a few extra beads.
Egyptian headdress
Can you not see Cleopatra wearing a Paisley beaded headdress? We can!
Domino set
Paisley beads would make a perfect domino set. While these decorative glass beads are not symmetrical, and would not fit together like real dominoes, with a little ingenuity, beading rope, and a drill, and with two holes already created in your bead, you are already halfway there for any dominoes with a number four in them.
Key Point: If you are attending a Domino Making Party, always put yourself forward for making the double two.
Additional Key Point: Dominoes with a blank or one in them can be problematic. They will involve filling in at least one of the Paisley Duo’s two holes. Many agents can be used for this, but we would not recommend toothpaste, as it will likely ooze from the domino over time. The definite plus from this is that it leaves a pleasant taste on your fingers.
Rope
A beaded rope can be used for whatever a rope is used for. Again, assuming you have graduated from the bracelet to the belt, the beaded rope would be the next progression. With the same design and just a lot more beads, it could also prove useful if you put on a little weight over Christmas.
If this article has inspired you (to do anything, even make yourself a coffee), please let us know here at Just Paisley. And if you produce some wonderful beaded creations, please drop us a line (with a photo), and we will feature you on the site (as long as in our estimation, you will not be making a complete fool of yourself).
