We all remember how frustrating it was to have a bead finish that you couldn’t really recommend for the heavy wear and tear of everyday use. Lots of people sprayed these shiny galvanized beads with Krylon Workable Fixitive Spray to keep them looking sharp. In 2010 Miyuki came out with the Duracoat Galvanized finish and so far they are looking really good.

My sister Jocelyn wore a bracelet made from the 11/0 Duracoat Galvanized beads day and night for about four months. (She actually sewed it on herself and had to cut it off to remove it). The bracelet went scuba diving and snorkeling in Hawaii, it went out on the town, it went in the shower and played with the cats. At the end of all that it was still shiny and only three or four beads showed wear on the finish. A definite improvement over the older galvanized coatings, this bracelet was worn every day from the beginning of November until March.

Shop for 11/0 Duracoat Galvanized beads here. The new Duracoat Galvanized series begins at 11-4201.

[Update October 2011:  There are now lots of Duracoat beads available in 6/0, 8/0, 11/0, various sizes of Delicas, and in some shapes as well. Type "duracoat" in the Find Item search box at upper left to pull up a complete listing.]

Duracoat Galvanized Beads Bracelet

Due to popular demand the pattern for the bracelet is as follows -

Materials-

Japanese Beading Needles
Miyuki Beading Thread (or C-lon Beading Thread)
11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Silver (11-4201)
11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Gold (11-4202)
11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Hot Pink (11-4210)
11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Dk Berry (11-4212)

Section One

Step 1- Add twelve 11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Silver (11-4201) seed beads to your thread. Begin even count peyote stitch and complete 3 rows of silver.

Step 2- Add three rows using Duracoat Galvanized Dk Berry (11-4212).

Step 3- Add three rows using Duracoat Galvanized Gold (11-4202).

Step 4- Add three rows using Duracoat Galvanized Hot Pink (11-4210), then repeat Step 1.

Section Two

Step 5- Add four rows of Duracoat Galvanized Dk Berry (11-4212).

Step 6- Add four rows of Duracoat Galvanized Gold (11-4202).

Step 7- Add four rows of Duracoat Galvanized Hot Pink (11-4210), then repeat Step 1.

Step 8- Repeat rows 2-7 until desired length is reached. The silver beads are always grouped in three row sections, but the other colors alternate 3 rows each and then four rows each. You may alternate sections one and two randomly, or always do one after the other.