Índex per September 2019 a Beadwork

When asked how I approach a design, my questions in reply are “Which medium? Which season? For myself, for teaching, or to gift or sell?” This line of questions may seem snarky but this is just not a question with easy answers! Then, what I find is once the process starts, there are even more questions to be asked and answered. Ultimately, the questions and answers outline the design process, but it is quite a journey from start to finish. Here are some examples. When approaching a design with beads for on- or off-loom bead weaving, I tend to first gravitate to color. What’s my mood? Do I want something bright and cheery? Or am I on an edgy path, and matte black with a touch of silver are my…

Use right-angle weave with EVA beads and Swarovski crystals to create this glitzy bracelet. Crystal chatons in 2-hole settings add extra sparkle and shine. 1) BAND. Use right-angle weave to form the band: Unit 1: Note: When stringing and passing back through the F, your thread path will form an X. Lay the D on your work surface with the point facing up. Add a stop bead to 5' of thread, leaving a 10" tail. String 1D (right hole, top to bottom), 1B, 1A, 1F, 1A, 1B, 1D (right hole, bottom to top), and 6B; pass through the second hole of the last D strung (Fig. 1, purple thread). String 1B and 1A; pass through the second hole of the F. String 1A and 1B; pass through the second hole of…

TOHO SEED BEADS HAVE BEEN MADE IN JAPAN SINCE 1951. The name TOHO translates to “Eastern Treasure,” signifying the covetable quality of these little beauties. They’re precision made so bead weavers can create consistent bead stitches, loomwork, and other styles of beadwork. TOHO seed beads are tested for durability and wear, light sensitivity, and other factors that are important for making long-lasting, wearable beaded jewelry. Technical Editor Meredith Steele says, “After bead weaving with Czech seed beads for a decade, when I started working with Japanese seed beads, especially TOHO brand, my mind was blown. I could not believe how much more precise the size and shape of the beads were. That, plus, all of the gorgeous colors means I’ll never go back!” There are hundreds of colors and finishes…

Demi Round seed beads give texture to this zen-inducing bracelet reminiscent of trapunto quilting techniques. 1) COMPONENTS. Use circular netting to form the components: Round 1: Use 2' of thread to string 4F, leaving a 3" tail. Pass through the beads again to form a tight circle; use the working and tail threads to tie a square knot. Pass through the first F strung (Fig. 1, purple thread). Round 2: String 1D and pass through the next F; repeat three times. Pass through the first D of this round (Fig. 1, green thread). Round 3: String 5D and pass through the next D of the previous round; repeat three times. Pass through the first 2D of this round (Fig. 1, blue thread). Round 4: String 1A; pass through the next…

Stitch a pair of architecturally inspired earrings with cubic right-angle weave using seed beads and druks. 1) FRAME. Use cubic right-angle weave to create the frame (see p. 85 for useful techniques information): Cubes 1–15: Use 6' of thread and B to form a strip of cubic right-angle weave 15 cubes long, leaving a 6" tail. Exit from the last cube at a ninety-degree angle. Cubes 16–20: Use cubic right-angle weave and B to work 5 more cubes. Exit from the last cube at a ninety-degree angle. Cubes 21–25: Use cubic right-angle weave and B to work 5 more cubes. Exit from the last cube at a ninety-degree angle. Cubes 26–37: Use cubic right-angle weave and B to work 12 more cubes (Fig. 1). Cube 38 (Join): Using the side…

Taj Mahal Th is elegant bohemian bracelet and earring set is carefree and trendy, but sophisticated, too. Create a whole stack of bracelets using beads in your favorite summertime palette. You can stamp your own metal blank like the one shown here or choose a favorite premade charm. TECHNIQUES Stringing Knotting Metal stamping MATERIALS 2 turquoise 5×3mm faceted-glass rondelles 3 turquoise Picasso 8mm pressed-glass triangles 2 turquoise 8×10mm nuggets (small) 5 turquoise 10×14mm nuggets (large) 10 gold-plated 6mm faceted rounds 3 brass 12×15mm teardrop blanks 1 gold-plated 10×8mm spring-ring clasp set with tab 1 gold-plated 8mm jump ring 2 brass ear wires 12" of metallic gold embroidery floss 12" of brown polyester beading string Black acrylic paint Jewelry cement TOOLS Lotus metal stamp Bench block Hammer Toothpick Paper towel Scissors…

TECHNIQUES Simple wireworking Stringing MATERIALS 6 g of size 11° seed beads in assorted colors 10 silver size 6° seed beads 1 green 19×14mm stone elephant bead 10 pink 17mm sisal-wrapped rounds 1 brass 5½ × 1" scalloped collar 11 antiqued brass 16×11mm fancy bead caps 9 copper 6mm cup sequins 10 antiqued brass 20-gauge 2" head pins 1 antiqued brass 20-gauge 1½ " eye pin 4 brass 6mm jump rings 1 antiqued brass 10×20mm hook 15" of antiqued brass 6×7mm oval chain 72" of vintage bronze 22-gauge wire TOOLS Wire cutters 2 pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers Round-nose pliers FINISHED SIZE 21" (adjustable) Tip: When stringing the seed beads, cut manageable lengths of wire and wrap the ends together as you go. Start by anchoring the wire to…

TECHNIQUES Stringing Simple wireworking MATERIALS 2 red carnelian 17×30mm oval pendants 1 lapis lazuli 17×30mm oval pendant 14 sky blue jasper 20–25×27mm top-drilled trapezoids 12 gold-plated 2×9mm twisted tubes 12 antiqued gold–plated 5mm spacers 6 antiqued gold–plated 12×7mm lotus beads 4 gold-plated 13×10mm hammered baule beads 3 antiqued gold–plated 15mm evil eye charms with Swarovski crystal 3 gold 8mm jump rings 3 gold 10mm twisted jump rings 2 gold 2mm crimp tubes 2 gold 4mm crimp covers 4" of gold 18-gauge wire 25" of satin gold .024 beading wire TOOLS Wire cutters Chain-nose pliers Flat-nose pliers Round-nose pliers Crimping pliers FINISHED SIZE 21½ " 1. Use one 10mm jump ring to string 1 carnelian pendant and 1 evil eye charm; repeat. Use one 10mm jump ring to string the lapis…

Use tubular herringbone stitch to create this whimsical lariat, inspired by a visit to Monet’s gardens and lily ponds in Giverny. 1) ROPES. Use tubular herringbone stitch to form the ropes: Round 1: Use 6' of waxed doubled thread to form a strip of ladder stitch 4C long, leaving a 24" tail (Fig. 1, green thread). Pass up through the first C strung and pass down through the last C added to form a ring, then pass up through the nearest C (Fig. 1, red thread). Round 2: String 2C, pass down through the next C of the previous round and up through the following C; repeat (Fig. 2). Step up for the next and subsequent rounds by passing through the first C of the current round. Rounds 3 to…

Pushing down on the center pearl of this dimensional pendant while stitching causes the crescent beads to pop up, a serendipitous design feature that Becky discovered by accident! 1) MEDALLION. Use circular netting to form the medallion: Round 1: Note: String each K in this round through one end hole. Use 5' of 6 lb thread to string {1K and 1C} ten times, leaving a 4" tail; pass through the beads (same holes) again to form a tight circle. Use the working and tail threads to tie a square knot; pass through the first 1K (first, inside hole) and 1C (Fig. 1, purple thread). String the pearl; pass through the opposite C in this round, then weave through beads to exit from the second K (inside hole) of this round (Fig.…

Weave sculptural flower components using CzechMates diamonds and cabochons, then join them to make a fast-and-easy bracelet. 1) FLOWERS. Use circular netting to form the flowers: Round 1: Note: Take care to add the F faceup. Use 3' of thread to string 1F, 1A, 1C, and 1A, leaving a 3" tail; pass back through the second hole of the F. String 1A, 1C, and 1A; use the working and tail threads to tie a square knot. Pass through the first F (first hole) and the following 1A, 1C (first, inside hole), and 1A (Fig. 1, blue thread). Round 2: String {1C and 1A} three times. String 1C; pass through the next 1A, 1C (inside hole), and 1A of the previous round. Repeat from the beginning of this round. Pass through the…

Weave this eye-catching wavy bracelet using three sizes of Demi Round seed beads, MiniDuos, and two-hole crescent beads. 1) BAND. Use a variation of right-angle weave to form the band: Unit 1: Note: Lay the F vertically on your work surface with the curves facing left. Use 5' of thread to string 1F (top hole), 1D, 1E, 1D, and 1F (top hole); pass back through the bottom hole of the last F exited (Fig. 1, green thread). String 1C; pass through the second (bottom) hole of the next E. String 1C; pass through the next F (bottom hole). Weave through beads to exit from the second F (top hole) added (Fig. 1, blue thread). Unit 2: String 1D, 1E, 1D, and 1F (top hole); pass back through the bottom hole of…

TECHNIQUES Simple wireworking Knotting MATERIALS 8 emerald green 7mm vintage German glass lanterns 4 olive/turquoise/rust 20×22mm patchwork design polymer clay lanterns 4 metallic gold thread 18mm wrapped rounds 8 matte gold 3mm melons 1 matte gold–plated 65×55mm elephant connector pendant 8 gold-plated 21-gauge 1½ " eye pins 10 gold-plated 7mm jump rings 2 brass 12mm rib cable jump rings 15" of gold-plated 3mm rolo chain 2 gold-plated 8×11mm oval chain links 36" of emerald green and gold sari silk ribbon TOOLS Wire cutters 2 pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers Round-nose pliers Scissors FINISHED SIZE 25" (with 5" focal) 1. Use 1 eye pin to string 1 gold melon, 1 clay lantern, and 1 gold melon; form a simple loop. Repeat three times. 2. Use 1 eye pin to string…

TECHNIQUES Stringing Crimping Braiding MATERIALS 19 labradorite 6×4mm faceted rondelles (A) 85 unfinished rosewood 4–5mm rounds (B) 25 unfinished graywood 8mm rounds (C) 12 bone 6×25mm batik-patterned barrels (D) 1 beige-and-gray 20mm porcelain spiral pendant 1 silver 6×18mm S-clasp 2 silver 4mm jump rings 3 silver 6mm jump rings 2 sterling silver 2mm crimp tubes 2 sterling silver 3mm crimp tubes 2 antiqued silver–plated 14×16×4mm 3-to-1 triangle strand reducers 6' of bone colored .019 beading wire TOOLS Wire cutters Crimping pliers Mighty crimping pliers 2 bead stoppers 2 pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers FINISHED SIZE 19" 1. Attach one 6mm jump ring to the pendant. 2. Cut the beading wire into three 24" pieces. Use a bead stopper to hold all 3 strands of wire together, about 5 ½…

Susan Sassoon became an architect as a way to blend her love of art and creating with her love of math, science, and problem solving. It turns out that beading combines the same elements. Susan says, “I enjoy the technical challenge of figuring out a technique, designing a beaded clasp, or learning a new stitch. Beading appeals to me because I enjoy exploring the colors and shapes of different beads and how they connect together.” Susan’s background allowed her to see that creating beading patterns isn’t that different from making architectural plans. Right from the beginning, she started designing, “I basically started out learning stitches and didn’t have the supplies to make what I was seeing in books. I would just adapt a design or improvise to try to finish…

Stitch a beautiful pair of floral-inspired beaded-bead earrings using DropDuos. Czech glass beads nestled inside give the beaded-beads dimension and offer a nice complement to the color palette. 1) FRONT. Use circular netting to form the front of the earring: Round 1: Use 3' of thread to string 8C (narrow holes) and pass through the beads (same holes) again to form a tight circle; use the working and tail threads to tie a square knot. Pass through the first C (inside then outside holes) (Fig. 1, blue thread). Round 2: String 1A and pass through the next C (outside hole); repeat seven times. Pass through the first A of this round (Fig. 1, red thread). Round 3: String 5A and pass through the next A of the previous round; repeat…

Inspiration struck when Maggie found the stone fan set for this uniquely elegant kumihimo design. 1) PREPARING THE CORDS. Cut 4 lengths of cord, each 100" long. Fold the cords in half to make eight 50" cords. Tie the folded end into an overhand knot. 2) PLACING THE CORDS. Clip the weight onto the knotted end. Hang the weight down through the center hole of the disk and arrange the cords so there is 1 cord on each side of the 4 numbered dots. 3) STRINGING THE BEADS. Use a big-eye needle to string each cord as follows, then place the end of each cord into the cut slit of a bobbin and wind it up. Note: If you’re unable to string the beads using the needle, dip your cord…

Create a delightful and eye-catching ring, featuring a sparkling Swarovski crystal center with Gekko and Tulip Petal beads. 1) FLOWER. Use two-needle right-angle weave, tubular peyote stitch, and circular netting to form the flower: Units 1–9: Note: Take care that the C shared by each unit are pointing up from the beadwork. Place a needle at each end of 8' of thread. Use 1 needle to string 1C to the center of the thread. *Use the left needle to string {1A and 1C} twice (Fig. 1, pink thread). Use the right needle to string 1B, 1C, and 1B; pass back through the last C added (Fig. 1, orange thread). Note: Because of the nature of two-needle right-angle weave, the needles will often switch left and right positions. Repeat from * eight…

Use cubic right-angle weave with just three different types of beads to create a cool and smooth bangle. 1) TUBE. Use cubic right-angle weave to create the tube: Cube 1, Bottom: Use 5' of thread to string {1B, 1C, and 1B} four times, leaving a 3" tail. Pass through the beads again to form a tight circle; use the working and tail threads to tie a square knot and pass through the first 1B/1C/1B strung (Fig. 1, black thread). Cube 1, Face 1: String 1A, 1B, 1C, 1B, and 1A; pass through the last 1B/1C/1B exited and the next 1B/1C/1B at the bottom of this cube (Fig. 1, turquoise thread). Cube 1, Face 2: String 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1B; pass down through the nearest A of the previous face…

Bezel a large oval stone using Amos par Puca beads to create this simple but elegant pendant that’s easy to make and a delight to wear. 1) PENDANT FRONT. Use circular netting to form the pendant front: Round 1: Use 4' of thread to string 1D (narrow hole), 1A, 1F, and 1A, leaving a 6" tail; repeat three times. String 1D (narrow hole), 1A, 1B, and 1A. Repeat from the beginning of this round. Pass through the beads (same holes) again to form a tight circle; use the working and tail threads to tie a square knot. Pass through the first D (narrow then wide holes) (Fig. 1, green thread). Note: You’ll now begin working in the opposite direction. Round 2: String 1B, 1E, and 1B, then pass through the…

TECHNIQUES Simple wireworking Knotting MATERIALS 24 metallic bronze 3×2mm pressed-glass rondelles 2 blue-and-cream Picasso 5mm pressedglass flowers 2 black-and-copper 8×17mm vintage glass rectangles 1 black-and-copper 15×20mm vintage Givre glass twisted ovals 2 black agate 9mm rounds with gold etched Chinese dragons 2 matte onyx 10×14mm ovals 3 glazed red 7mm smooth ceramic nuggets 1 glazed red 10mm irregular ceramic round 2 ivory-and-gold 16mm English porcelain flowers 2 olive/gold and red/gold 17×22mm English porcelain leaves 1 blue/red/beige/black 48×65mm ceramic pendant with kimono decal 2 antiqued bronze–plated 33×48mm ginkgo leaf connectors 2 matte black 20-gauge 2" ball-end head pins 11 matte black 20-gauge 2" eye pins 18 matte black 6mm jump rings 2 natural brass 12mm rib jump rings 36" of red-and-gold vintage silk brocade ribbon TOOLS Wire cutters 2 pairs of…

TECHNIQUES Stringing Simple wireworking MATERIALS 76 silver size 11° seed beads 42 silver size 6° seed beads 4 multicolored 10–11×20–23mm painted curved glass beads 8 wood 11mm rounds (small) 6 wood 24mm rounds (large) 16 multicolored 7–13×12–20mm wrappedpaper beads 2 multicolored 24×50mm curved paper “cocoon” cones 6 silver 19×1.5mm wavy metal discs 1 silver-plated 25mm toggle clasp 16 silver 20-gauge 2" head pins 4 silver-plated 6mm jump rings 2 silver 2mm crimp tubes 21" of silver .015 beading wire TOOLS Wire cutters 2 pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers Round-nose pliers Crimping pliers FINISHED SIZE 17½ " 1. Use 1 head pin to string 1 size 11° seed bead, 1 size 6° seed bead, the widest (roundest) paper bead, and 1 size 6° seed bead; form a simple loop. 2.…

PASS THROUGH VS PASS BACK THROUGH Pass through means to move the needle in the same direction that the beads have been strung. Pass back through means to move the needle in the opposite direction. FINISHING AND STARTING NEW THREADS Tie off the old thread when it’s about 4" long by making an overhand knot around previous threads between beads. Weave through a few beads to hide the knot, and trim the thread close to the work. Start the new thread by tying an overhand knot around previous threads between beads. Weave through several beads to hide the knot and to reach the place to resume beading. STRINGING Stringing is a technique that uses beading wire, needle and thread, or other material to gather beads into a strand. LADDER STITCH…