On that beading, are you trying to single-stitch each bead or are you using the 'lazy squaw' method?

Lazy squaw is where you thread up a long string of beads, lay them against the fabric, then loop a second thread across the first one, stitching down the actual thread about every fourth bead or so. That way, you're actually tacking the beadstring onto your work. It goes a lot faster that way.