Posts Tagged: beads

Projects — 1 Comment
6
Aug 10

Tila Bead Square Stitch Bracelet

Tila Bead Bracelet

Japanese Beading Needle
C-lon Thread (Size D)
2 colors of Miyuki Tila Beads
(shown in TL-468 and TL-2008)
15/0 Seed Beads (15-453)

1. Begin bracelet by adding one Tila, one 15/0 two times (I alternate colors each time I add a Tila but this is optional), then another Tila. Add three 15/0s and go back down through the opposite side of the Tila beads, adding one 15/0 between each. Add three 15/0s and go back up though the first side where you began. You will have created a bar of Tila beads separated by 15/0s, with three 15/0s on each end from hole to hole.

2. Go down though the right side of your first Tila so your thread is emerging from the bottom hole. Add a new Tila bead, and loop back through the first Tila (square stitch) from top to bottom. Go through the 15/0 and the next Tila bead on the first row and repeat. You will have three new Tila beads each one attached to the three Tila beads on the first row, but one level above. Make sure your new Tila beads are sitting on top of the previous row.

3. Go up through the bottom Tila bead of your new row, and add one 15/0. Go up through the next Tila and repeat. Go through the top Tila and add three 15/0s and arch across the top of the Tila and go down through the opposite side of the same bead. Add one 15/0 between each Tila hole, and add three 15/0s across the bottom of the Tila row. Go up through the entire left-hand side of the row and back down through the right side of the top Tila so you can begin your next row.

4. Repeat steps two and three until you reach your desired length. Add a clasp. This will also make a wonderful necklace. Please share your own images of Tila bead work with us, and we will post them on the blog!

Tila Bracelet Detail

Bead stores — No Comments
17
Jul 10

Dragon’s Lair Beads – Canada

Vicki Green

I have always loved hands-on projects. I have been a big fan of counted cross stitch since I was a teen. I later discovered the joy of having my own business which evolved through a number of ideas including Baking, Stamping, Christmas Crafts, Cross Stitch and finally Beading. I love to bead with a variety of mediums and am also a big fan of Chain Maille. When opening Dragon’s Lair Beads I wanted to create a place for people to learn, share and gain confidence in their abilities to bead.

I designed this Embellished Herringbone bracelet after making a similar bracelet featured in the Brilliant Crystal Jewelry 2 magazine. The original bracelet was called “Confetti Bracelet” It featured Crystallized Swarovski Elements sequins designed by Bonnie Mountain. It received many Ooo’s and Aah’s. Wanting to make it again I turned to the Magatamas and have created my own version of the bracelet. Then I extended the bracelet and made a necklace using the Miyuki Long Magatamas and 4×4 cubes. It’s a gorgeous piece.

We are very lucky to have a friend who is new into polymer clay. She made me a gift of this piece and I could see it as a fish. This is what I did with it, using Delicas.


It is always interesting to see how people can take an idea and turn it into something beautiful and unique. We encourage our students to be creative and bold with colors and materials.

I can be reached at www.dragonslairbeads.com and www.best-beads-and-jewelry-supplies.com and look forward to hearing from you.

General — 1 Comment
18
May 10

Our latest advertisement in Beadwork Magazine

Lighthouse made with Beads

Projects — No Comments
17
May 10

Domino Pendant Macrame Necklace

Domino Pendant Macrame Necklace

Materials -

1 Domino Pendant
2 tubes of Miyuki Drop Beads
1 spool of C-lon Bead Cord
2 cord ends
2 jump rings
1 S clasp

Step 1 – Cut one 5′ length of bead cord and one 20′ length of bead cord, fold them in half and make an overhand knot at the center so you have four cords to work with (2 short and 2 long)

Step 2 – Make the short cords the center and the long cords the exterior. Add a drop bead to each exterior cord, and pass the right cord over the center two and under the left, tuck the left cord under the center two and up over the right, then pull snug.

Step 3 – Repeat this spiral pattern until the middle is reached, then add the Domino Pendant over all four cords and continue with the spiral macrame to the end.

Step 4 – Knot the end and crimp the cord ends on each end. Attach the clasp with the jump rings.

Domino Pendant Detail
Jocelyn Kahn of Caravan Beads hand-colors, stamps, paints, decorates and finishes real domino game pieces. She sells them at several bead and clothing stores. For more information you can email her at cbeads_retail @ caravanbeads.net.

Projects — No Comments
11
May 10

Fun at the Circus Drop Bead Earrings

circus drop bead earrings

Materials –

1 Tube of DP-Mix-12 (Circus Drop Mix)
2′ of open link sterling chain
2′ of sterling 24 gauge wire
2 earwires

Step 1 – Choose a number of drop beads in a range of colors. For each drop bead cut a length of chain between 1 and 5 links long.

Step 2 – Wrap each drop bead and create a wrapped figure eight of wire to connect it to the bottom of each small length of chain.

Step 3 – Slide the chain onto the opened earwire so that the chain links graduate from short to long to short again.

Step 4 – Repeat for the second bright and whimsical earring.

Designers — 1 Comment
10
May 10

Beaded Camel for Caravan Beads

beaded camel

Made by Tina Chance this delightful beaded camel is going to become part of our logo. He is very cute, but probably is bad-tempered in person, as camels often are.

Projects — No Comments
15
Apr 10

Blackberry Drop Bead Earrings


Blackberry Drop Bead Earrings

Materials -

Japanese Beading Needles
C-lon Beading Thread (Royal)
Miyuki Drop Beads (DP-452)
2 Flower Bead Caps
2 links of Chain
2 Earwires

Step 1 – Use right angle weave to make a small beaded bead with Miyuki drop beads. Add four drop beads to your thread, sew back through them to make a small square. Tie off your thread and cut off the tail end.

Step 2 – Add another three drop beads, sew back through the original drop bead the thread was leaving from to make a figure eight comprised of seven drop beads.

Step 3 – Sew through two drop beads so your thread is exiting a drop bead at the end of your figure eight. Add three more drop beads and sew around again so you have a series of three small squares and your thread is exiting a drop bead at the end of the series.

Step 4 – Add one drop bead and sew through the drop bead at the opposite end of the series to connect the two ends. Add a second drop bead and sew back through the bead at the first end so you have made a little beaded ball of drop beads.

Step 5 – Sew up through the silver bead cap and around the chain link a bunch of times, knotting frequently. Sew back down into your beaded bead, evening out as necessary and sew in your end and cut it off.

Step 6 – Add the earwire, and repeat for the second earring.

Projects — No Comments
12
Apr 10

2-color Wrapped Leather Bracelet

2 color C-lon Beadcord Leather Bracelet

Materials -

6′ of C-Lon Bead Cord (2 colors)
1 Big Eye Needle
1 tube of 6/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (6-401FR)
4′ of leather

Step 1 – Fold the leather in half and double around to make a knot and loop at the center.

Step 2 – Wrap the C-Lon bead cord just below the knot in the leather several times. Sew around and back through the wrapped thread and tie off.

Step 3 – Add a 6/0 seed bead to your thread. Sew one color over the right hand leather, through the bead, and under the left hand piece of leather. Take the 2nd color of cord and sew over the left hand leather, through the bead, and under the right hand piece of leather . This is just like a macrame square stitch.

Step 4 – Repeat until the desired length is reached. Add a bead or a button for the clasp. Tie off the leather and wrap the C-Lon bead cord just below the knot in the leather several times. Sew around and back through the wrapped thread and tie off.

Our wholesale customers can shop for C-lon Bead Cord here.

Bead Info & Trivia — No Comments
9
Apr 10

Tiny Miyuki Cube Beads

Not everyone has seen or used this extra small size of Miyuki Cube Beads, but they are extremely cute and versatile. We sell 1.8mm Miyuki cube beads in a standard wholesale package of 250 grams (approx 21,000 beads), or in a retail 9-10 gram tube (approx 850 beads). Miyuki cube beads are also known as square beads, and are available in three sizes. Square or rectangular Japanese seed beads are made as 1.8mm cube beads, 3mm cube beads, and 4mm cube beads. 1.8mm size is the smallest and is shaped the most like a square, while the 3mm and 4mm cube beads are more rectangular.

Shop for the 76 colors of 1.8mm Cube Beads here.

You can also buy the SB18 Sample Card, if you want to look at all the colors in person before you choose.

1.8mm Miyuki Cube Beads

Tiny Green 1.8mm Miyuki Cube Beads

Tiny Purple 1.8mm Miyuki Cube Beads

Projects — 1 Comment
5
Apr 10

Long Magatama Branch Necklace

Long Magatama Branch Necklace

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.

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