Posts Tagged: seed 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 Info & Trivia / Projects — No Comments
12
Jul 10

Star Fruit Bracelet

For the avid beaders among you – Heather’s Star Fruit Bracelet appears in the upcoming August/September issue of Beadwork Magazine.

The colors for the purple bracelet are (from the middle out) 8mm Jet, 6mm Purple Velvet, 5mm Tanzanite, 4mm Lt Amethyst and 3mm Violet.

The colors for the brown bracelet are (from the middle) 8mm Smoke Topaz, 6mm Crystal Copper, 5mm Fuschia, 4mm Ruby and 3mm Amethyst.

You can purchase the magazine or the kits here.

You can also purchase the completed bracelet on her website Chrononaut Mercantile.

Beadwork Magazine Aug/Sept 2010

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.

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.

Projects — 2 Comments
29
Mar 10

Double Wrapped Leather Bracelet

double wrapped leather bracelet

Materials -

6′ of C-Lon Bead Cord (Cyan)
1 Big Eye Needle
1 tube of 6/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (6-2405FR)
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 around the top piece of leather, back down through the bead in the back, then sew back up through the bead in the front. Each bead will have the C-lon bead cord pass through it in the back and the front of the leather, holding it in place.

Step 4 – Loop the C-Lon bead cord around the top piece of leather, add a 6/0 seed bead, loop around the bottom piece of leather, and then sew back up through the bead in the front.

Step 5- 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.

This design could be made with 3 or 4 pieces of leather for added oomph!

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

Bead Info & Trivia — No Comments
25
Mar 10

Social Network For a Mirrix Loom

Our friends Claudia and Elena have asked us to tell you about “Social Network For a Mirrix” which will be launched in late April. For now, they are accepting applications for participants. You will get a FREE Mirrix 12″ “Little Guy” Loom (http://www.mirrixlooms.com/looms.html) worth $230 in exchange for blogging, taking pictures, making videos and simply sharing with the online world your experience using the loom. If you have ANY questions, ask here or email Elena Zuyok, Marketing Director at elena@mirrixlooms.com.

12 inch Mirrix Loom

On Wednesday, April 7th they will choose two people who will receive FREE 12” Mirrix Looms in exchange for 3 months of consistent blogging, tweeting, Facebooking and YouTube posting about their experience with the loom. Applications will be considered both from the experienced weaver and the newbie and from both bead and tapestry weavers. The only thing they ask is that our participants are experienced with social media and possess the technology necessary to do things like take pictures and videos. They will choose applicants based on their social networking abilities, perceived passion for weaving and writing/photographing/videoing ability.

They will choose one TAPESTRY weaver and one BEAD weaver plus two runners-up who will get a 25% discount on a loom and if/when they decide to buy one, will be required to post once-a-week blog posts for 3 months.

REQUIREMENTS if chosen:
(contract will be sent out for signing at time of decision)
-Blog AT LEAST four (4) days a week at least 250 words a day.
-Submit at least one (1) video every two weeks to YouTube.
-Post at least one picture with every blog post.
-Post about your experience on Twitter and/or Facebook and other relevant social networking sites or emails lists at least two (4) times a week.
-and more..

The application can be found here:
http://www.mirrixlooms.com/marketing.html

Projects — 1 Comment
24
Mar 10

Snowflake Pattern

Snowflake #34 Ornament Pattern
Sandra D. Halpenny © 2007 – 2010 All rights reserved
www.SandraDHalpenny.com

Beaded Snowflake #34 by Sandra Halpenny

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.

Snowflake_34_Step1

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

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

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.

Beaded_Snowflake34_colors

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

Designers — No Comments
15
Mar 10

Sig Wynne-Evans

Sigrid Wynne-Evans
If I could spend my time doing only 3 things, it would be traveling, beading and cooking! Ok…maybe writing too. But that darn day job gets in my way…so I do what I can in the time I have left once I get home from work.

I have been beading since 1984 (the same year as my daughter was born). To say I love the art of beading is an understatement. Beading and designing seem to consume me. It’s all I seem to think about. What kind of designs can I come up with? What will I bead next? What quirky thing about beading will I find some humor in to write about?

Mermaid Bead Tapestry by Sigrid Wynne-Evans

I have had several books published in years past, and I was also a regular writer for Jewelry Crafts Magazine, which is no longer in print. One day, I would like to write another book and submit it for publication. I miss the process.

I especially like the Art Nouveau period and the Pre-Raphaelite paintings. It is a real challenge to create patterns from the old paintings.

Chinese Butterfly by Sigrid Wynne-Evans

In addition to selling kits and patterns on www.beadedbear.com, and keeping up with nonsense on my blog beadedbear.blogspot.com , I sell patterns on www.bead-patterns.com where I have over 2100 patterns to date.

(Caravan Beads is happy to be a sponsor and judge for Sig’s latest Elemental Inspirations Challenge. Take a look at the design contest and more on her blog.)

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