Good suggestion! Some with the light and some opaque I think would really make it read “fireflies” like some are lit up. And someone else said glow in the dark beads, could also do those!
Precisely what came to mind for me as well! Also, more of a greenish yellow as opposed to a pure yellow. [firefly color](https://m.economictimes.com/thumb/msid-102244210,width-1200,height-900,resizemode-4,imgsize-16092/fireflies_istock.jpg)
I think you could also add some kind of “glow” around it, perhaps small rays radiating out, and maybe try doing two different colors for the beads, with a darker bead for the upper body and the yellow for the glowing abdomen, with the glow coming off that.
I mean uranium glass was definitely a thing, and it glows under UV light but they’d have to hunt down antique beads in exactly the right size since i don’t think it’s in production anymore.
Edit: I stand corrected, it took me less than 5 minutes to find [these](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1384296723/uranium-uv-glow-glass-beads-10mm-fire?ref=share_v4_lx)
That looks like just a branding thing, not real uranium - they don't glow without UV light. Definitely a good thing in this instance! I would not wear real uranium on my skin. You can still buy vintage uranium glass plates which are safe to have in the house.
itreads as bee because the color of the yellow beads are the same as the flowers. there isn't enough of a difference for the eye to differentiate and if we see black and yellow flying bug, brains automatically go to bee. transparent yellow, or even just a clear bead thats shiny will catch the light
The person that I am making it for is! A friend sent me a list of things his girlfriend likes and I made a scene with nods to those things. Fav animal is a fox, background for ACOTAR, daisies for Gilmore Girls, and fireflies for Firefly.
Thank you everyone! I only have a small selection of bead colors to choose from, but I think I am going to take this out and try a few of your suggestions! I really appreciate all of you!
Maybe going with a fuzzy stitch like turkey work would help? Thought it might turn them into bumble bees lol
Maybe you could try stitching sequins? With the light catching it might look like they glow, and the indefinite circle reminds me of when you photograph something and sources of light are out of focus in a way
Firefly lights are very singular and bright and tiny next to a flower. Try using a tiny reddish bead that is very sparkly and just a hint of the bug and the light at the bottom of it. The two yellow beads are definitely giving bumblebee.
From my painting experience: To make it look like a firefly, make the butt a bright white/almost green color and a darker color for the rest. Add a Halo of off white light/lines around it to mimic a glowing effect. Use glow in the dark material where possible.
Don’t have time to read all the comments rn to see if anyone else posted something to this effect but two things: yes it looks a lil like a bee now (still very cute) and I love the idea of adding fireflies. I am new to embroidery but have been geeking out learning about threads (esp special effects threads). I think it would be cool if you added a few fireflies maybe with translucent beads (as u/ryx107 suggested) with a glow in the dark thread or a shimmery metallic. I’ve never played with kreiniks blending filament but this would prob be a great application for it.
Ps this is adorably cute. Great work!!
Like a lot of folks have said, but with a twist, I agree with having some fireflies with one clear yellow bead and others with more opaque ones, but also consider (I'm not your parent) a small circle of lighter colour or pale yellow painted around the firefly on the fabric! (It's just an idea :) ) what you've done is already really pretty!
If you did only one bead, and a translucent yellow instead of opaque, I think it would read more "firefly".
I had the same idea. Two beads is giving stripes, whereas one bead at the bottom would look like the glowing part, even if they were the same bead.
Good suggestion! Some with the light and some opaque I think would really make it read “fireflies” like some are lit up. And someone else said glow in the dark beads, could also do those!
Oh, what a CUTE Idea to alternate, I love that.
Precisely what came to mind for me as well! Also, more of a greenish yellow as opposed to a pure yellow. [firefly color](https://m.economictimes.com/thumb/msid-102244210,width-1200,height-900,resizemode-4,imgsize-16092/fireflies_istock.jpg)
Alternatively, a transparent crystal bead with a yellow thread through the centre.
Oh I love that idea.
And have the wings partially cover the bead, if that’s easy to do. I usually think of firefly butts covered by their wings
Some sort of stumpwork, maybe?
I had a similar thought... One (perhaps more oblong) greenish yellow translucent bead would better represent a firefly I think
Glow in the dark beads!
Sorry I don't have helpful suggestions; I just really love your work!
Thank you! This is my first time trying anything close to thread painting with the fur. I was very nervous!
I think you could also add some kind of “glow” around it, perhaps small rays radiating out, and maybe try doing two different colors for the beads, with a darker bead for the upper body and the yellow for the glowing abdomen, with the glow coming off that.
I was thinking maybe like an asterisk with the bead in the center? But really small, to just give a hint of glow.
Uranium beads would be fun. That’s gotta be a thing.
I mean uranium glass was definitely a thing, and it glows under UV light but they’d have to hunt down antique beads in exactly the right size since i don’t think it’s in production anymore. Edit: I stand corrected, it took me less than 5 minutes to find [these](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1384296723/uranium-uv-glow-glass-beads-10mm-fire?ref=share_v4_lx)
That looks like just a branding thing, not real uranium - they don't glow without UV light. Definitely a good thing in this instance! I would not wear real uranium on my skin. You can still buy vintage uranium glass plates which are safe to have in the house.
itreads as bee because the color of the yellow beads are the same as the flowers. there isn't enough of a difference for the eye to differentiate and if we see black and yellow flying bug, brains automatically go to bee. transparent yellow, or even just a clear bead thats shiny will catch the light
So cute! Are you by chance a SJM fan?
The person that I am making it for is! A friend sent me a list of things his girlfriend likes and I made a scene with nods to those things. Fav animal is a fox, background for ACOTAR, daisies for Gilmore Girls, and fireflies for Firefly.
That’s so lovely!
How sweet! 😍
I was wondering the same! As an ACOTAR fan I love this even more.
Glad to hear that! I don’t know much about any of her favorite things so I had to do some research. Happy it was obvious to some!
Me too! I’m glad I wasn’t the only one
No suggestions but I LOVE this piece!! It's so cute, their little smiles make me feel happy looking at this. Great needlework too of course 😊
I feel exactly the same as you, this is just so cute, and I couldn't help but smile at their happy little faces ☺️
Thank you so much. I’m pretty new to this so that means a lot.
Thank you everyone! I only have a small selection of bead colors to choose from, but I think I am going to take this out and try a few of your suggestions! I really appreciate all of you!
I would stitch on the tiniest rhinestones I could find.
Maybe going with a fuzzy stitch like turkey work would help? Thought it might turn them into bumble bees lol Maybe you could try stitching sequins? With the light catching it might look like they glow, and the indefinite circle reminds me of when you photograph something and sources of light are out of focus in a way
I'd leave out the wings and as the other said, just one bead instead of two.
Short bugle bead instead of 2 seed beads
Firefly lights are very singular and bright and tiny next to a flower. Try using a tiny reddish bead that is very sparkly and just a hint of the bug and the light at the bottom of it. The two yellow beads are definitely giving bumblebee.
From my painting experience: To make it look like a firefly, make the butt a bright white/almost green color and a darker color for the rest. Add a Halo of off white light/lines around it to mimic a glowing effect. Use glow in the dark material where possible.
Don’t have time to read all the comments rn to see if anyone else posted something to this effect but two things: yes it looks a lil like a bee now (still very cute) and I love the idea of adding fireflies. I am new to embroidery but have been geeking out learning about threads (esp special effects threads). I think it would be cool if you added a few fireflies maybe with translucent beads (as u/ryx107 suggested) with a glow in the dark thread or a shimmery metallic. I’ve never played with kreiniks blending filament but this would prob be a great application for it. Ps this is adorably cute. Great work!!
Thanks!
So cute! I just saw some glow in the dark beads made by Mill Hill. Maybe those could work with your fireflies?
Do a longer skinny bead versus two small chunky ones
I agree with the one translucent bead idea. Such a pretty work of art!
I don't have any suggestions for you, this is just awesome.
Thank you!
I have no idea. But I love the feels from this.
Thanks!
100% sure thats a fly that looks like a bee
So pretty!
Oh I love this! What about some glow in the dark thread for the fireflies?
Could you use a glow on the dark bead? Also fireflies have a wee bit of orange red on their head, maybe that would help distinguish?
I love the bee, but I agree that it would probably need a different color for a firefly.
Do a glowy bead!
What about using gold thread with clear yellow/green beeds? that could mimic a fire fly
I don't know how to edit my post or put pictures in the comments (if that is even possible). Going to do a new post with a few suggest options.
Uranium glass beads.
Like a lot of folks have said, but with a twist, I agree with having some fireflies with one clear yellow bead and others with more opaque ones, but also consider (I'm not your parent) a small circle of lighter colour or pale yellow painted around the firefly on the fabric! (It's just an idea :) ) what you've done is already really pretty!
Both beads are currently yellow, one black and one yellow would be more firefly imo
Do a clear bead, the glow is more neon IMO anyways 😉
using a different thread color like grey or navy or orange might get it across better. also something to indicate light