TAST #102 Beaded Triangular Buttonhole Stitch

TAST stitch #102, Beaded Triangular Buttonhole Stitch, is as nice as its un-beaded version, that we worked last week (TAST #101).
To learn how to master it, head over to Pintangle.

I worked one row in blue 'jeans thread' and bugle beads, and a mirrored row in Cotton a Broder and seed beads.

Bead Control
What do you do about bead control? Do you have any problems with stitching with beads, keeping the beads from rolling around everywhere,  storing beads...?

Sharon gave us the advice to use a tapestry 26 needle, and I think that is sound advice, but not all beads have a hole that is large enough even for such a needle.

My advice in such a case, is to use either a milliners needle, or a needle threader like in the picture below.

These needle threaders aren't the best to stitch with, but they can handle any thread and slide through small holes in beads.

Another tip is to remove the needle and slide the thread into the bead and then thread the needle again. It takes a lot of time and is a bother, but if you do this, I recommend using bond to stiffen the tip of the thread. I wrote about this technique here.

How do you store your beads and keep them under control?

I store mine in small containers.

I also have a small triangular dish to keep the beads in while stitching; the corners make it easy to tip the left over beads back into the container.

Then I have this neat blue 'tacky bead mat' from Beadalon. It is the ultimate 'bead grip'.

Do you have any tips or idea to share?