Tabla de contenidos para December 2015 - January 2016 en Beadwork

It goes without saying that social media has forever changed the way we communicate. Facebook has given me the opportunity to see designs from beaders around the world, proving that beads are a common language—even if I don’t speak many of the languages that appear in my newsfeed. Now that we have access to designs from all over the world, those who make their living creating projects and tutorials must stay innovative. Because of this, I have great respect for designers who make their living teaching and beading, including our 2015 Designers of the Year. Thank you to our 2015 Designers of the Year—Penny Dixon, Cindy Holsclaw, and design team Barbara Falkowitz and Amy Haftkowycz—for sharing their time and talent with us this year. Penny shows her love of shaped…

These Art Deco–inspired earrings utilize four-hole QuadraLentils to achieve a dimensional look with a circular peyote–stitch base, a dome of two-hole bead netting, and fire-polished fringes. 1) CIRCULAR BASE. Use circular peyote stitch to form the base: Base Rounds 1 and 2: Use 5' of thread to string {1G, 12B, 1C, 1F, 1C, and 12B} twice, leaving a 2" tail. Use the working and tail threads to tie a knot; step up through the first 1G (same hole)/1B strung (Fig. 1, blue thread). Note: In this and subsequent rounds of the circular base, the thread will always pass through the same (first) hole of each G unless otherwise indicated. Base Round 3: Work 6 peyote stitches with 1B in each stitch for a total of 6B; pass through the next…

KITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROJECT AT www.bit.ly/quatrefoil -earrings-kit TECHNIQUES right-angle weave square stitch PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 1 g Montana blue gold luster size 15° Japanese seed beads (A) 1 g bronze size 15° Japanese seed beads (B) 1 g Montana blue gold luster size 11° Japanese seed beads (C) 8 matte gold 4×6mm Czech glass pellet beads (D) 8 fuchsia 3mm crystal bicones (E) 16 dark orange opal 3mm fire-polished rounds (F) 8 cream rose 3mm crystal pearls (G) 8 cream rose 4mm crystal pearls (H) 1 pair of gold-filled 11×18mm ear wires with 3mm ball Smoke 6 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 12 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 11/8 × 1¾" 1) BODY. Use right-angle weave to form the body of the earring: Round 1:…

TECHNIQUE right-angle weave PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 2 g turquoise gold marble size 11° seed beads (A) 80 opaque green luster 6mm 4-hole QuadraTiles (B) 12 siam ruby 4mm fire-polished rounds (C) 1 antiqued brass-plated 7×13mm ball-and-socket clasp 4 antiqued brass 5mm twisted jump rings 2 brass 4mm wireguards Tan size D nylon beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 11 beading needle 2 pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers FINISHED SIZE 73/8" 1) BAND. Use right-angle weave to form the band: Unit 1, Back: Use 4' of thread to string {2B and 1A} four times, leaving a 12" tail. Use the working and tail threads to tie a knot, forming a tight circle; pass through the same holes of the first 2B strung (Fig. 1, blue thread; back side of beadwork shown…

“INSTEAD OF ALTERNATING SMALL SECTIONS OF HERRINGBONE STITCH WITH INDIVIDUAL BEADS, I MADE ONE LONG HERRINGBONE ROPE USING VARIOUS SIZES OF BEADS AND SLID IT OVER MEMORY WIRE.” DEB DAUPHINAIS of Hollis, New Hampshire, gave new life to Margo C. Field’s Therapy Necklace (Beadwork, August/September 2002). “I WAS INSPIRED TO DIG THROUGH MY BEAD STASH AND USE SOME OF MY TREASURES, INCLUDING A STRAND OF BOULDER OPAL. I LEFT SOME OF THE EXTRA LEATHER CORD INTACT AND ADDED CRYSTAL DANGLES AROUND THE CLASP.” KATE BENSON of Spokane, Washington, made this narrow bracelet inspired by Michelle Gowland’s Pharaoh’s Finery Bracelet (Beadwork, June/July 2015). “I REPLACED THE JAPANESE DROPS OF THE PENDANT WITH CRYSTALETTS BUTTONS AND EXTENDED THE LEGS OF THE BAIL ATTACHMENT SO THE TOP STUD BEAD IS MORE VISIBLE. I…

TECHNIQUES ladder stitch brick stitch PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 4 g gold size 11° cylinder beads (A) 4 g royal blue size 11° cylinder beads (B) 1 g dark turquoise size 11° cylinder beads (C) 1 g turquoise size 11° cylinder beads (D) 1 g aqua size 11° cylinder beads (E) 1 g lime size 11° cylinder beads (F) 1 g yellow size 11° cylinder beads (G) 1 gold-plated 7×12mm lobster clasp 2" of gold-plated 3×4mm curb extension chain with charm White size B Nymo nylon beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 11 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 7¼" (adjustable to 9") Carole used the following Delica color numbers for this project: DB42 for A, DB726 for B, DB918 for C, DB658 for D, DB79 for E, DB733 for F, and DB721 for…

Supple herringbone-stitch chains are anchored with shapely tubular herringbone–stitch dangles in this refined necklace. 1) ROPES. Make 3 herringbone-stitch ropes for the necklace straps and the bail: Rope Round 1: Use 6' of thread to form a strip of ladder stitch 4 beads long in this order: 1C, 1C, 1B, and 1B, leaving an 8" tail. Ladder-stitch the first C and last B together to form a ring (Fig. 1, blue thread). Rope Round 2: String 2C; pass down through the next C of the previous round and up through the following B. String 2B; pass down through the next B of the previous round and up through the following C. Step up for the next round by passing up through the first C added in this round (Fig. 1,…

TECHNIQUES circular peyote stitch fringe PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 3 g black size 15° seed beads (A) 1 g silver-lined teal size 15° seed beads (B) 1 g silver size 15° seed beads (C) 8 g black size 11° seed beads (D) 5 g black size 8° seed beads (E) 5 g teal size 6° seed beads (F) 20 matte metallic teal 6×3mm 2-hole bricks (G) 20 silver pearl-coated 6mm flat 2-hole triangles (H) 10 matte metallic antiqued gold 4×2mm rondelles (J) 1 silver 8mm unsoldered jump ring 27" of silver 3×5mm oval chain Smoke 6 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 11 beading needles Thread conditioner 2 pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers FINISHED SIZE 27" (with 1¾" pendant) artist’s tips Use light tension while stitching the entire…

In Penny Dixon’s latest video series, she explains how to easily incorporate shaped beads into your beading designs, and she explores combining wire and beads to create unique pieces that go beyond traditional beadweaving. We recently sat down with Penny to talk about her new video series. Q: How did you get started beading? A: I started beading because I needed an indoor “girly” hobby. I’d always loved gardening, but when my family moved to southeastern Idaho I realized that the short growing season and constant wind just weren’t for me. In addition, being the only female in my family and homeschooling my two boys brought out the need to get in touch with my feminine side. Finally, I love to give little gifts to the important people in my…

TECHNIQUE right-angle weave PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 2 g metallic dark bronze size 15° seed beads (A) 80 matte metallic patina iris 5mm 2-hole Tilas (B) 18 metallic dark bronze 6mm 1-hole lentils (C) 1 bronze 13mm nautilus shank button Smoke 8 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 12 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 7¼" artist’s tip Use tight tension throughout the design to ensure the diamonds form a cupped shape. 1) BODY. Use right-angle weave to form dimensional square units that make up the body of the bracelet: Unit 1: Use 6' of thread to string 4B, leaving a 6" tail. Use the working and tail threads to tie a knot, forming a tight circle; pass through the first (inside) hole of the first B strung (Fig. 1, green…

TECHNIQUES right-angle weave variation netting PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 1 g gold-lined aqua size 15° seed beads (A) 2 g opaque gray luster size 11° seed beads (B) 5 g metallic purple luster 5×2.5mm 2-hole SuperDuos (C) 36 smoky gray AB 3mm crystal rondelles (D) 17 Montana blue AB 4mm crystal rondelles (E) 18 mustard yellow luster 6mm pressed-glass rounds (F) 1 antiqued silver 15mm 2-strand filigree box clasp with attached 2mm jump rings Smoke 6 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 10 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 7¼" 1) BASE. Use a variation of right-angle weave to form the center base of the bracelet: Unit 1: Add a stop bead to 3' of thread, leaving a 6" tail. String 1F, 2B, 2C, and 2B; pass through the F (Fig.…

Anyone who has ever had a Golden Retriever knows they love holding things in their mouths. Little did I know that my beads had found a happy place in my dog’s mouth until one day, on our run, we had to stop for a doggie break—and you can guess what I found shimmering in the sun! —Penny Dixon I’m not usually surprised when I find beads in unexpected places—my food, pockets, shoes, etc. But I was really shocked one day when I turned on the garbage disposal and a bead flew out and hit me on the forehead. I was lucky it didn’t hit me in the eye! —Adrienne Gaskell Two places come to mind. I found a bead in one of my shoes, presumably after I had kicked them…

Are you a pattern lover and color enthusiast looking for inspirational beadweaving charts that can be worked in a variety of stitches? Designs in the Beading Charts: 60+ Graphed Patterns for Peyote Stitch, Brick Stitch, Square Stitch, and Loomwork eBook can be adapted for any flat beadweaving project and used to make bags, scalloped-edge bracelets, and geometric earrings. Visit www.bit.ly/beading -charts-ebook, $9.99. Malas have been used by the faithful for millennia as tools to count mantras or prayers. Malas make beautiful pieces of jewelry, and the process of making them can be a meditative practice, too. Learn how to make and use malas and discover gemstones and their healing powers in Beadwork’s newest eBook, Malas: A How-To Guide for Making and Using Malas. Visit www.bit.ly/malas-ebook, $9.99.…

Create two sizes of star-shaped components using shaped beads and a mix of circular peyote stitch, right-angle weave, and netting and then connect the components for an out-of-this-world bracelet. 1) SMALL STAR. Use a variation of circular peyote stitch, circular right-angle weave, and netting to form the small components: Small Star Round 1: Use 3' of thread to string {1F and 1D} six times, leaving a 6" tail. Pass through all the beads again to form a tight circle and exit through the first F (Fig. 1, blue thread). Small Star Round 2: String 2A, 1B, and 2A, then skip the nearest D of Small Star Round 1 and pass through the next F; repeat five times. Step up through the first D of Small Star Round 1 (Fig. 1,…

KITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROJECT AT www.bit.ly/melange-de-perles-necklace-kit TECHNIQUE kumihimo braiding PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 14 g hybrid natural Picasso frosted size 6° Japanese seed beads (A) 6 g metallic antiqued bronze size 6° Japanese seed beads (B) 10 g opaque rainbow khaki frosted 3.4mm magatama drops (C) 6 g metallic antiqued bronze 3.4mm magatama drops (D) 96 metallic suede pink 2.5×6mm mini daggers (E) 24 matte metallic bronze iris 6mm fire-polished rounds (F) 24 oxidized bronze tanzanite 6mm fire-polished rounds (G) 1 matte gold 13×18mm magnetic keg clasp Brown C-Lon twisted nylon bead cord Multipurpose adhesive TOOLS Scissors Large split ring (optional) Kumihimo braiding disc 3 oz weight 8 kumihimo bobbins FINISHED SIZE 17¼" 1) PREPARATION. String the beads and prepare for braiding: Cords: Cut four 8' lengths of…

Use gold 24-gauge craft wire, wire cutters, round-nose pliers, and two pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers to create a beaded-link necklace that attaches directly to the back of a pendant. Attachment Link 1: Use one 3" piece of wire to form a wrapped loop that attaches to 1F of Back Round 11. String 1D, 1E, 1J, 1F, 1J, 1E, and 1D; form a wrapped loop. Link 1: Use one 2" piece of wire to form a wrapped loop that attaches to the previous wrapped loop. String 1E, 1F, and 1E; form a wrapped loop. Link 2: Use one 3" piece of wire to form a wrapped loop that attaches to the previous wrapped loop. String 1D, 1J, 1 blue goldstone round, 1J, and 1D; form a wrapped loop. Links…

Join Penny as she provides tips and techniques for using shaped beads in your beading designs! Video downloads are available separately for Penny’s Statement Earrings (www.bit.ly/dixon-statement-earrings) and ThreeDee Bracelet (www.bit.ly/dixon-threedee-bracelet), or you can purchase both videos in the DVD Shaped Bead Explorations with Penny Dixon (www.bit.ly/shaped-bead-dvd). Expand your horizons as Penny demonstrates how to combine wire and beads! Video downloads are available separately for Penny’s Interchange Wire Cuff (www.bit.ly/dixon-interchange-cuff) and Wire Lace Ensemble (www.bit.ly/dixon-wire-lace), or you can purchase both videos in the DVD Combining Wire and Beads with Penny Dixon (www.bit.ly/wire-beads-dvd).…

TECHNIQUES circular peyote stitch circular netting PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 1 g matte aluminum galvanized size 15° seed beads (A) 2 g blue slate galvanized size 11° seed beads (B) 0.5 g matte aluminum galvanized size 8° seed beads (C) 1 g opaque chartreuse AB size 6° seed beads (D) 3 g matte metallic aluminum 3.8×1mm O beads (E) 4 g neon dark emerald 5×2.5mm 2-hole SuperDuos (F) 16 light green turquoise 4mm rounds (G) 4 turquoise bronze Picasso 8mm fire-polished rounds (H) 1 foil-back peridot 12mm crystal rivoli 15" of silver 4mm unsoldered rolo chain 1 silver 28×20mm toggle clasp Dark green size D nylon beading thread TOOLS Scissors Size 12 beading needle 2 pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers FINISHED SIZE 17¼" (with 2¼" focal) 1) BEZEL. Use circular…

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. STOP BEAD…