Making Beading Portable

by Lisa Ashton

I keep everything in a special tote bag that I prepare the night before. In the tote, I include:

A plastic organizer with all the beads I will need for the project (not every single bead but reasonable amounts of each type).
A cut top sheet out of thin foam latex placed over the open compartments before shutting the case. This keeps all the beads from flying out. It is also a good way to store spare bead needles.
A few very shallow plastic bowls (blister packs work well) to put the beads in while actually working on them.
A little scissors.
Since 9/11, airlines no longer allow small pointed scissors. Not even the folding kinds. You have the option of either bringing along children's scissors (rounded ends) or Clotilde and other catalogs sell a small round cutter that can hang around your neck with little slits in it to cut the thread.
A little piece of chalk to refresh the pattern.
Lots of extra thread.
Beeswax or Thread Heaven.

Travelling with beads is not for the faint-hearted, but it is possible to get a lot done. The key is preparation the night before departure.