Please note that your 'Bead a Card' downloads will appear in your Crafty Ferret on-line account as soon as Paypal has processed your payment, they will be available for you to view, save and print for up to 28 days. I will only send them to you by email if a technical error has occurred or if you make a special request. See below for more details.

Getting your 'Bead a Card' downloads couldn't be easier. First select the downloads you want to buy and add them to your basket. Next set up an account with us as part of the payment process. As soon as you have completed your payment return to your Crafty Ferret account or log back in if you have left the Crafty Ferret website. Once in your account click on 'Download retrieval and order history'. Click on the order number you wish to view. Click on the download button next to the file name, click 'Open' on the pop up box to view your downloads, it's that easy. Don't forget to save the files on your computer for future use before you print them out. Your downloads will stay in your Crafty Ferret account for 28 days.

What is 'Bead a Card'?

'Bead a Card' is similar to the craft of prick and stitch or card stitching but uses only beads to make the patterns. The holes are pricked in a grid pattern as they would be for cross stitch or counted beadwork. Unlike cross stitch on Aida and counted beadwork on perforated paper you only have holes where you need them.

To make a 'Bead a Card' design first holes are pricked into a piece of card following a pricking chart then beads are stitched onto the card following a beading pattern. The finished beadwork can be either mounted on a greetings card or put into a picture frame to be given as a special handmade gift.

'Bead a Card' downloads include the pricking chart and beading pattern, easy to follow instructions for left and right handed stitchers, a list of required materials and tips on making a greetings card using your finished beadwork.

Bags of beads to make up the patterns in the displayed colours are available to buy from the details page of each pattern.

The downloads are formatted to print on A4 and US letter sized colour printers.

Although 'Bead a Card' download patterns are designed with beading in mind, they can be used for cross stitch. Prick the card as instructed then swap each bead on the pattern for a cross stitch in a corresponding thread colour.

Also, with a little imagination, some of the simpler patterns can be partly embroidered. The Christmas tree looks lovely embroidered in a cross hatch pattern with beads for the decorations. Embroidery stitching guides are not available on the website or as part of the downloads. For more pictures please visit my blog.