Materials –

Japanese Beading Needles
C-lon Beading Thread (Burgundy)
2 Tubes of Long Magatamas (LMA-134F)
1 Tube of 11/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (11-641)
1 Tube of 15/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (15-460)
3mm Copper Heishi
Copper S Clasp

Step 1 – Tie your thread securely around one end of the clasp. Add one 15/0 seed bead and three 11/0 seed beads (repeat pattern) until desired length is reached. Finish with one 15/0 seed bead, and knot around the other end of the clasp. Then thread back through all the beads to reinforce the top row.

Step 2 – Add three 11/0 seed beads, one 15/0 seed bead, one Magatama, one heishi and one 15/0 seed bead. Skip the bottom 15/0 seed bead (stopper bead) and sew back up through the heishi, Magatama, and 15/0 seed bead.

Step 3 – Add three 11/0 seed beads and sew through the 15/0 seed bead that is next in the top row, sewing away from the clasp end you are closest to in your work.

Step 4 – Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until one third of the necklace is completed.

Step 5 – Repeat Step 2 and then instead of adding beads and going back to the top, add three 11/0 seed beads one 15/0 seed bead, one Magatama, one heishi and one 15/0 seed bead. Skip the bottom 15/0 seed bead (stopper bead) and sew back up through the heishi, Magatama, and 15/0 seed bead. Then sew back up through the three 11/0s, so your thread is next to the top Magatama. Add three 11/0 seed beads and sew through the 15/0 seed bead that is next in the top row, sewing away from the clasp end you are closest to in your work.

Step 6 – Repeat Step 5 until about 5 sections from the middle of the necklace. Continue to increase your branch to 3 Magatama drops and then 4 Magatama drops for the center four sections of the necklace. (A section is the space between two of the 15/0 seed beads in the top row.

Step 7 – Reduce the length of your Magatama drops back to 3 and then 2 and 1, mirroring the other side of your necklace. Sew in ends, and complete.

S = Miyuki® 11/0 seed, 247 beads

Start by waxing and stretching your thread. Use C-lon beading thread, Fireline*, or Nymo D and an #11 or #12 beading needle. Tie in a “stopper” bead, leaving about a 8-10” tail and begin at step #1.

Round 1
Pick up 6S, make a circle and go with thread through the 1st S bead just added. Continue with working thread around through all 6 beads again, plus go through the 1st bead again. Circle of 6 made, (C6).

Round 2

a) Pick up 12S, go with thread down through the 5th through 1st S beads just added in this step and forward (right to left) through the next S bead in C6.
b) Repeat (a), around 5 more times
c) Continue with working thread forward through the 1st through 8th S beads in the first repeat of (a) this Round.

Round 3

a) Pick up 3S, go with thread down through the 10th, 11th, and 12th S beads, R2a.
b) Pick up 5S, go with thread up through the 6th, 7th and 8th S beads in the next repeat of (a), R2.
c) Repeat (a and b) around 5 more times.
d) Continue with working thread up through the 1st S bead in the first repeat of (a) this Round.

Round 4

a) Pick up 5S, go with thread down through the 3rd S bead, R3a, the 10th and 11th S beads, R2a.
b) Pick up 6S, go with thread up through the 7th and 8th S beads in the next repeat of (a), R2, and the 1st S bead, R3a.
c) Repeat (a and b) around 5 more times.
d) Continue with working thread forward through the 1st and 2nd S beads in the first repeat of (a) this Round.

Snowflake Pattern Steps 2-4

Round 5

a) Pick up 3S, go with thread down through the 4th and 5th S beads, R4a.
b) Pick up 3S, go with thread left to right through the 3rd and 4th S beads, R4b.
c) Pick up 3S, go with thread up thrugh the 1st and 2nd S beads in the next repeat of (a), R4.
d) Repeat (a, b and c) around 5 more times.
e) Weave the working thread into the snowflake and end.

Snowflake Step 5

Bead colors for Rounds
R = Round
Each Round begins at the red dot in drawing. The snowflakes are done in rounds.

Snowflake Tips
Making Hangers for your Snowflake
1. Make it with beads, make a loop with as many beads as you would like,
2. or use a piece of fishing line, making it invisible with monofilament,
3. or a piece of pretty ribbon. Add ribbon after your snowflake is stiffened.

Finishing
After the snowflake is complete, you can stiffen it with Future® Floor Finish. It is a great stiffener; it stays clear even on the crystals. Test it first if you use seed beads with dyed colors to make sure the floor finish doesn’t remove the colors.

Pour enough of the finish into a small container that is wide enough for the ornament. Float the ornament into the Future and push it around a bit with your finger. (After I am done with the floor finish, I use a funnel and pour the extra back into the bottle). Take the ornament out and blot both sides with a paper towel.

Put the ornament on a piece of wax paper, shape and flatten it and let it remain on the wax paper to dry. (If you use plastic wrap, the beads can stick a bit to the wrap, so it needs to be moved around a bit to prevent this from happening.) If your ornament needs a little extra flattening, use two pieces of wax paper and sandwich your ornament in between; put a book on top of the wax paper for about an hour. Take the book and the top piece of wax paper off the ornament and let dry overnight on the bottom piece of wax paper.

See more beautiful patterns at Sandra’s website – www.SandraDHalpenny.com

My sister Jocelyn has been wearing a bracelet made from the 11/0 Duracoat Galvanized beads day and night for about four months. (She actually sewed it on herself and can’t take it off without cutting it off). The bracelet has gone scuba diving and snorkeling in Hawaii, it has gone out on the town, it has gone in the shower and played with the cats. It still looks shiny and only three or four beads show wear on the finish. A definite improvement over the older galvanized coatings, this bracelet has been worn every day since the beginning of November.

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

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.

Miyuki Drop and Seed Bead Earrings

Materials -

Japanese Beading Needles
C-lon Beading Thread Size D (Burgundy)
11/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (11-2016)
Miyuki Drop Beads (DP-2035)
2 Earwires
2 Jumprings

Step 1 – Thread on one 11/0 and one drop bead 4 times. Sew back through all eight beads to make a loop.

Step 2 – Exit through the following 11/0 seed bead, then add three 11/0s and sew back through the first 11/0 in the same direction you exited originally.

Step 3 – Sew through the next drop bead and repeat step 2 for each of the original 11/0s.

Step 4 – Once you have completed your little diamond shape, sew it onto an earwire or soldered jump ring to complete it.

Shop for Miyuki drop beads here.

Miyuki Delicas - Japanese cylinder seed beads in four sizes

Miyuki Delica beads are cylinder shaped Japanese seed beads. These glass cylinder beads were first introduced by Miyuki in 1982 as a replacement for antique french metal cylinder beads. They are now available in four sizes – 8/0, 10/0, 11/0 and 15/0. There are approximately one thousand colors available in the most popular 11/0 size.

Delicas are used widely for peyote stitch, brick stitch, and weaving on looms because their cylinder shape gives the finished piece a flat surface maximizing any design or pattern. Their exceptional uniformity of size and shape create tiny rectangles which lock together to present an unbroken surface. Bead artists have used them to create detailed portraits and sculpures with each bead acting as a single pixel of color.

Miyuki Lazuline Butterfly Brooch Kit

Delica beads also have a proportionally thin wall and large hole for their size which allows more threads to pass through the woven work. As every beader knows, this gives you more room for invention as well as being helpful for correcting mistakes or securing the finished ends. We recommend Delicas (especially the largest 8/0 size) as perfect for beginners learning peyote or brick stitch, since it is easy to see when you make a mistake.

Delicas are also available in a hexagonal cut version, with six faceted sides cut into the outside of the cylinder. Cut Delicas are available in all four sizes – 8/0, 10/0, 11/0 and 15/0 but in a smaller range of colors than their standard counterparts.

See all 1000+ colors here.

Miyuki Fancy Drop Peyote Stitch Bracelet

Materials -

Japanese Beading Needles
C-lon Size D  (Turquoise)
1-2 tubes Miyuki Fancy Drops (dpf-31)
(fancy drops are color-lined with contrasting colors to the rest of the drop)
1 tube Miyuki 11/0 Seed Beads (11-271)
1 clasp or snap

Step 1- Start flat peyote stitch with twelve 11/0 seed beads. Each following row you will add 6 beads.

Step 2- Begin randomly inserting the drops to create a textured surface. Continue until bracelet reaches desired length.

Step 3 – This bracelet is clasped using a snap sewn onto a tiny leather tab. It makes the closure point nearly invisible. Using a button or regular clasp would also work fine.

Miyuki’s color-lined fancy drops give this bracelet a cool optical effect – as you turn your wrist the color appears to change because the angle of the light hits the bead at a different place.  Try your own version and admire the effect!

See miyuki drops and fancy drops here.

Looplicity Brick Stitch Earrings

Materials:

Japanese beading needles (extra thin)
C-lon beading thread size D (Burgundy)
Miyuki 15/0 seed beads (15-1428)
Miyuki Delica beads (DB1244)
Miyuki 11/0 seed beads (11-302)
Miyuki 10/0 triangle beads (tr10-1836)
Miyuki 8/0 seed beads (8-24f)
2 7mm soldered jumprings
2 earwires

Step 1. Add one 15/0 seed bead to your thread. Sew through the jumpring, and back down through the seed bead. Repeat nine times to complete your initial row.

Step 2. Increase in the following row by adding two Delica beads to your thread. Sew through the thread bridge between the first and second 15/0s on the edge of your work your thread is coming from, and go up the second bead added and then down the first. Come back up the second bead. For the row’s remaining stitches, pick up one bead and go under the next thread bridge on the previous row. Go back up the new bead.

Step 3. Repeat step two using 11/0 seed beads, always increasing by one bead for each new type of bead added.

Step 4. Repeat step two using 10/0 triangle beads.

Step 5. Repeat step two using 8/0 seed beads.

Step 6. Beginning at the edge of your work add thirty-two 15/0 seed beads and sew up through the center 8/0 seed bead. Sew down through the next further down 8/0 seed bead, and add another thirty-two 15/0s. Create a new loop by sewing back up through the second 8/0 from the edge, and continue to work across the earring, one 8/0 at a time until each one has been used once. The only 8/0 to have two strings of 15/0s coming from it is the center 8/0.

It is fun to use a slightly contrasting color of C-lon to accent the beadwork on these earrings. Send us a picture of your interesting combination to share with everyone!

Large Magatama Spiral Stitch Bracelet

materials -

Japanese beading needles or Big Eye Needles
1 spool C-Lon Micro Cord (olive green)
2 tubes Long Magatamas (LMA-2008)
1 tube 8/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (8-217)
1 tube 11/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (11-2013)
1 clasp

(alternate colors: Micro Cord in Wine, LMA-142fr, 8-410fr, 11-360)

Step 1 – Add four 8/0 seed beads to your thread. They will become the inner core of your spiral stitch. Then add a group of three – one 11/0, one long magatama, one 11/0.

Step 2 – Sew back up through the four 8/0s to create the first loop of your spiral. Each time you add a new loop, you will want to rotate the work in the same direction, so that each new loop is added to the left of the previous loop.

Step 3 – Add one 8/0 seed bead, and a group of three – one 11/0, one long magatama, one 11/0. This is the same grouping that you will repeat from now on. Sew back up through the top three 8/0s in your core and then up through the new 8/0 that you just added. This leaves only the group of three loop on the exterior of your spiral.

Step 4 – Repeat step three until you have reached your desired length. Remember that you will need additional length because the design is somewhat wide in circumference.

Large Magatama Spiral Stitch Bracelet in Purple

Be whimsical and creative with your colors and clasp choices. Send us a picture of your version of this bracelet and we’ll post it on the blog for everyone to admire!

Scalloped Brick Stitch Bracelet with miyuki japanese seed beads

materials -

Japanese Beading Needles
1 bobbin C-Lon Thread size D (teal)
1 tube 15/0 Miyuki seed beads (15-452)
1 tube 11/0 Miyuki seed beads (11-2008)
1 tube 8/0 Miyuki seed beads (8-2405fr)
1 tube 10/0 Miyuki triangle beads (tr10-455)
1 tube 2.7 x 12mm Miyuki twisted bugles (TW2712-401fr)
1 clasp

Brick stitch squares (make four).
Brick Stitch Instructions from our friends at Bead & Button.

Step 1 – Begin your ladder row with 7 10/0 Triangles.
Step 2 – Increase in your next row to have 8 11/0 seed beads.
Step 3 – Decrease in your next row to have 7 Twisted 2.7 x 12mm bugles.
Then reverse and repeat step 2 and 1, in that order.

Once you have completed your four squares, connect them with strands
of seed beads. My pattern was 15/0s, 3 11/0s, 2 TR10s, 1 8/0, 2 TR10s,
3 11/0s and 15/0s again. On the outermost rows I used 11 15/0s on each
side, the next two rows I used 10 15/0s, and the center row I used 9
15/0s. This gives the bracelet the nice scalloped shape.

Complete two sections with a brick stitch square on each end and a
seed bead scallop in the middle. Then connect the center with a row of
7 8/0s (or any other decorative touch you like). Decrease at each end
to 6 10/0 triangles, and attach to clasp. Finish off any loose ends.
Remember that it is easy to adjust the length (this one was 6.75”) by
adding to the seed bead scallops or adding additional center or end
rows.

If you make this bracelet, we want to see it! Remember to email us a picture of your version and we’ll post it on the blog for everyone to admire.