An apparatus for holding beads in a pattern has a beading board having a base with a bottom side and a top side. A plurality of posts project out from the top side of the base and are configured to extend through holes in beads to hold the beads in lateral position relative to each other. The apparatus has a perforated panel having perforations that are larger in width than the posts, and the perforated panel is configured to be removably placed on the beading board with the posts extending through the perforations. The perforated panel slides along the posts and sliding of the perforated causes beads placed on the posts to slide vertically along the length of the posts.