10/31/07

Twist Bracelet



9/30/07

Cobra Necklace


8/17/07

Red Necklace


Brown Necklace Set


8/16/07

DNA Necklace and Bracelet


8/13/07

Surface Beading Bracelet

STEP 1
Take a piece of paper and make a pattern of the brass cuff and add 1/4 inch all the way around the pattern. Cut out the pattern.
STEP 2
Use the pattern as a guide and cut the Lacy's Stiff Stuff to the size of the pattern. Draw the 1/4 inch seam allowance all the way around the Lacy's stiff stuff. Cut the suede, also using the pattern as a guide.

STEP 3
Take the dowel and roll a thin layer of glue to the underside of the cuff. Attach the suede to the glue and smooth down. Make sure to center the suede on the cuff. Set aside to dry








STEP 4
Roll a thin layer of glue to the back of the cabochon and glue to the center of the Lacy's Stiff Stuff. Allow the cabochon to dry.









STEP 5
While waiting for the cabochon to dry, go back to the cuff and trim the suede to a 1/16" allowance all the way around the cuff, and set aside for later.
STEP 6
Cut a length of Nymo you're comfortable working with. Thread the size 10 needle; tie an overhand knot at the end.

STEP 7
Bring the needle up from underneath the Lacy's Stiff Stuff, right next to the cabochon. String on two size 15 seed beads, allowing the beads to rest against the side of the cabochon.








STEP 8

Pass your needle down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff so the beads are sitting securely against the cabochon. Pass the needle back up through the Lacy's at the starting point and pass the needle through the same two beads exiting the second one






























STEP 9

Pick up two more size 15 seed beads. Slide the beads snug up against the previous two. Pass the needle down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff and bring the needle back up, coming up between the second and third bead in the row.







STEP 10
Pass the needle through the third and fourth beads. Continue around in this manner until you have encircled the entire cabochon









STEP 11
Embroider beads on the rest of the Lacy's, using backstitch or stop stitch (see below), using the bugle beads, pearls and seed beads.Backstitching: Pass the needle up through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff, string on a bead or two, depending on size, and pass back down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff pulling the beads snug against the material. Pick up two more beads, at the most, and continue in this manner. When backstitching with larger beads like pearls, larger size 6mm beads, or odd shaped beads, stitch on one bead at a time and pass through twice. Using the black marker, draw a design to help guide where to place the beads, or make a random design for a surprise ending.Stop Stitch: String on a larger bead and one smaller bead (this could be a size 11) which will act as your stopper. Pass down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff, skipping over the size 11 bead, pass back through the larger bead to the underside of the Lacy's Still Stuff. The smaller bead will be sitting on top of the larger bead.

STEP 12
When the Lacy's is beaded, carefully cut the extra 1/4" of Lacy's Stiff Stuff from the beadwork – don't cut any of your threads.









STEP 13
Roll a thin layer of glue to the backside of the beadwork, lay the beadwork on top of the brass cuff and smooth down with your fingers. Allow to dry for 15 minutes






STEP 14
Start a new thread, and tie an overhand knot at the end. Pass the needle through the beadwork near the edge and close to the suede.









STEP 15
Pass the needle through the edge of the suede and then the edge of the beadwork

STEP 16
Pick up a size 11 seed bead. Pass the needle with the bead, down through the suede, attaching both layers. Keep tension snug

STEP 17
Bring the needle back up through the same bead. The bead will stand up on the edge of the cuff.










STEP 18
Pick up another size 11 seed bead and continue around the entire cuff in this manner, using the brick stitch, sandwiching the bead in between the suede and the beadwork.
STEP 19
When you've stitched on the last bead, meeting the first bead, pass the needle down through the first bead. Weave the needle through the beadwork and knot off in several places. Clip the thread.

8/8/07

Ring Galaxie




Green Ring


Blue Ring


One Beatifull Necklace



8/6/07

Peyote Linked Squares Bracelet

Capture diamondlike sparkle with this peyote-stitched link bracelet. Metallic Delica seed beads plus Swarovski® crystal equals big-time glitter.

Materials
-12 grams Metallic green Delica beads
-2 Moss green rocailles
-2 Bugle beads,
-1/2in 7 Sahara Swarovski® squares,
-20mm 2 Olivine Swarovski® bicones,
-4mm 1 Beading needle, #10
-1 Big-eye needle
-1 spool Brown Nymo® thread,
-D Wax Scissors Chain-nose pliers

STEP 1

Cut a 2 yard length of Nymo®
Thread on 6 green Delicas; bring them to the end of the thread, leaving a 12" tail, which will be used later
The 6 beads will be considered the first row for the instructions, but really only complete half ofyour first row as peyote takes two back-and-forth passes to complete one full row.



STEP 2
Begin the next half.
Pick up a Delica and pass the needle through the next-to-last bead (5th) strung in the first row
Pull the thread so the new bead and the 6th bead in the first row are stacked on top of each other
Pick up another Delica, skip the 4th bead strung in the first row, and pass the thread through the 3rd bead in the first row
Pull the thread so the new bead and the 4th bead in the first row are stacked


Pick up another Delica, skip the 2nd bead strung in the first row, and pass the needle through the 1st bead in the first row
Pull the thread so the new bead and the 2nd bead from the first row are stacked. Notice the zig-zag pattern developing, with some beads "popped up" and some not


STEP 3
I find it helpful to rotate my work so I'm adding rows in the same direction each time; do what's most comfortable for you.
Pick up a Delica and pass the needle through the first bead that is "popped" up
Pull the thread so the new bead sits in place, stacked on the end bead in the previous row
Pick up a Delica and pass the needle through the next popped-up bead
Repeat one more time, adding a bead between each popped-up beadRepeat this pattern until you have 30 complete rows. You can keep track by counting the beads along the edge of the developing strip of beads. Each side should have 30.

STEP 4

I like to add a picot-edge to my strip, but only in the places where the strip doesn't meet the diamond -- this helps keep the strip from spinning once all the diamonds are linked; this is optional.


Weave your needle by zig-zagging through beads, until it exits the third bead from the end (either side)
Pick up three Delicas
Pass the needle down the next bead in the strip (4th) and back up the 5th
Pick up three Delicas, pass the needle down the next bead then up the 7th, that completes 2 picots
Repeat to complete 6 picots




STEP 5

Weave your needle so it exits the 4th bead over from your last picot (18th in the row), leaving three beads without any picot in the center of the strip
Repeat Step 4 to complete 6 more picot



STEP 6


Weave your thread to exit the 2nd bead on the other edge of the Strip
Repeat Step 5 than 4 to mirror the picot edging on the other edge of the strip




STEP 7

You're ready to link the first two diamonds. Place two diamonds onto the strip so they face back to back

STEP 8


Match the ends of the strip together. Using the thread still remaining, or the tail thread, weave the strip together. You'll notice they're in a zig-zag pattern, just like the peyote had when you were weaving the strip. Weave your thread in and out of the beads, "zipping" the ends together





STEP 9

Weave the thread end into the beadwork, zig-zagging, working around and around the beads until the thread is secure; trim any excess.If you find any places the needle is having a hard time passing through, either work in a different direction or carefully pull the needle with pliers.


STEP 10
Repeat Step 9 for the other thread end. Open the diamonds so they sit right-side up; position the areas without picot to be on the insides of the diamonds.

STEP 11

Repeat Steps 1-10 until you've linked enough diamonds together to equal a bracelet, minus the 3/4" the toggle will add later.

STEP 12

Repeat Step 1-3 to create a strip that is 14 rows long. Wrap the strip around one side of the diamond on one end of the bracelet. Repeat Steps 8 to close the strip around the diamond



STEP 13

Weave the thread into the beadwork, finding an area that doesn't have a lot of thread in the beads already. Weave until your needle exits the fourth bead in one row in the strip.

STEP 14

Pick up two Delicas. Pass the needle into the third bead in the row then back out the fourth, making a path like a circle. Pass the needle back through the two new beads. Pick up two Delicas. Pass the needle back through the first two Delicas added in this step. Continue the circle pattern, passing the needle back through the two beads just added. Repeat until you've created a two-bead ladder, that is five rows long. Set the bracelet aside.

STEP 15
Time to create the toggle. Repeat Step 1-3, but create a strip of beads that is 18 beads wide and 6 rows high.

STEP 16


Place the two bugle beads on the strip, end to end, spanning the width of the strip. Repeat Step 8 to sew this strip together, making a tube. Weave your thread so it exits one end bead. Remove the needle and replace with the Big Eye needle



STEP 17



Pass the needle down the tube, passing through the bugle beads
Pick up a 4mm crystal and one size 15 seed bead
Pass the needle back through the crystal, without passing through the size 15 seed bead again
The needle will exit the other end of the tube; pull the thread so the crystal sits in the tube




STEP 18

Repeat Step 17 so each end of the tube is accented with a crystal
Continue to pass the needle back and forth through the crystals and seed beads to secure, working until it gets too tight
Carefully weave the needle into the beadwork in the tube
Weave in a zig-zag pattern to end the thread; trim any excess
Weave the other end of the thread into the beadwork as well; trim any excess


STEP 19

Pick up the bracelet
Using the needle on the end of the ladder-stitch beadwork, weave the thread through two center beads, of one row in the toggle, choosing and area that isn't already filled with thread
Pass the needle back through the last two beads added in the ladder, back through the two beads in the toggle and back down the ladder, weaving back and forth, then back into the peyote strip on the diamond
The beads will begin to get filled with thread at this point -- be very careful pulling your needle through as the beads will break if forced. You can use a pair of chain-nose pliers if needed
Weave the thread ends into the bead work; trim any excess.

Sea Star Earring


8/2/07

Spiral Stitch Bracelet

Materials:Nymo size B or D (depending on the size bead you're using. We'll be using size 8.0 beads with size D Nymo for this bracelet)Small needle (you will be going through each bead in the core 4 times, so you need a nice small needle. A size 10 works good with size 8.0 beads, but you'll probably want a size 12 needle if you're using anything smaller)2 colors of size 8.0 beads Clasp of your choice...




Ok! Let's get started. Cut a length of thread that's comfortable for you to use...I use about 6 feet because I hate adding thread. :) Be sure to pre-stretch your Nymo, and run it through some Thread Heaven a couple of times.String on 4 core beads (Black) and 3 outer beads (White). Go back up through (from the bottom) the 4 core beads in the same direction, so that the white beads are lying alongside the black ones. Be sure to leave about a 6" tail to string your clasp on later.



Pick up 1 core and 3 outer beads. Go back up through 3 of the core beads you added previously, and push the beads to the side so that they are lying next to the other white beads.












Now, holding the white beads to one side, go through the last core bead you added. You may wish to go through this bead at the same time you're going through the 3 previous beads, but I think it's easier this way. After doing it for a while, you'll find your own way that's easiest for you. :)This is the hardest part of the stitch.... there's not much to hang on to yet, but it gets easier.....I promise!




Keep adding beads in this manner..... 1 core, 3 outer, and going through 3 of the previous core beads and the new one you add. Be sure to always push the outer beads over in the same direction, so they are lying snug against each other.
















And that's it! The outer beads will start to spiral around the core beads after about the 4th set.Keep going until it's the length you want for a bracelet or necklace, attach your clasp and sit back and admire your handiwork!










After you feel you have this stitch down, try using different sizes of beads. You could use all size 11.0 beads, or you could use size 8.0 for the core, with 4 bead sets on the outside. Try using a tiny tim for the 2nd bead in the 3 outside bead set, or even a gemstone chip!