Bead a moonlit Black Raven with this Abris Art bead embroidery kit. A glossy black raven in profile stands against a glowing amber full moon, its wing feathers shimmering in violet, lilac and silver. It has an amber eye, silver-bead stars sparkle around it, and clusters of red berries and teal leaves frame the scene. The background is printed in full colour, so the beadwork becomes the raised, iridescent focal point. Worked in 23 colours.
A little stitcher's folklore: ravens have never been ordinary birds. In Norse myth, Odin's two ravens, Thought and Memory, flew out each morning and came back with news of the whole world. In Britain, legend holds that as long as ravens stay at the Tower of London, the kingdom will stand. Needlework tradition says a stitched bird brings news into the home, and a raven on the wall is said to keep watch over it. The red berries beaded around this one echo rowan, which folk custom hangs over doorways for protection.
Why this kit: if you're drawn to moody, gothic-leaning art rather than florals and cottages, this is your project. Transparent, silver-lined and matte black beads mix to give the feathers true raven iridescence that shifts as you walk past — something paint can't do. And because the moonlit background is already printed, your hours go into the rewarding part: the feathers, the amber eye, the glinting stars. A satisfying project for experienced beaders, and very doable for a determined beginner.
Kit includes: 100% cotton art canvas with printed chart, 6,999 Preciosa Czech beads plus microbeads (about 10% spare), bead needles, and instructions in 8 languages with a video tutorial. Threads, frame and hoop are not included.
Each bead is sewn onto its colour-marked spot on the canvas. Work the dark body and wings first, then the feather highlights, eye and stars, and finish with the berry clusters.
Finished size: 25×35 cm (9.8×13.7 in). Framed, it makes striking raven wall art for a study, reading nook or hallway. It's also a memorable gift for bird lovers, for fantasy and folklore readers, and for anyone who's ever felt a raven watching back.
