Not enough hours in the day

 

Not enough hours in the day

You know that feeling, when work is super busy, and you have housework to do, and you actually have to cook, eat and do basic self- care, but you still have the need to bead? Well that’s how I was feeling on Friday night. Work had been very intense for a couple of weeks, and I was just wrung out. I’m getting a kitten in a couple of weeks, so there’s preparation and kitten-proofing to do… but still, I needed to bead. My brain had definitely checked out, so I just let my fingers do the beading. The general aim was to make a circular pendant, I would have sworn up and down there were 12 gemduos in the centre… but I was obviously very tired, and there are only 11. So, there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done, and if my pendant were a clock, there wouldn’t be enough hours on that either! That’s how this pendant was born.

For the two examples I made, I used Miyuki seed beads, I’ll give the colour references at the end.

When I made the purple version, I used 3mm bicones in place of 2mm fire polish beads – it worked, but I didn’t feel like they sat quite right – it’s an alternative if you don’t have any 2mm fire polish in your stash!

 

What you’ll need to make this

A.      Size 11 seed beads (2g) 

B.      Size 11 seed beads (2g)

C.       Size 15 seed beads (3g)

D.      Size 15 seed beads (1g)

E.       Gemduo beads (11) (check that both holes are clear before starting)

F.       3mm fire polish beads (15)

G.      4mm fire polish beads (11)

H.      2mm fire polish beads (11)

I.         Chain and clasp

 

Anything else?

Beading needle (I use Miyuki)
Beading thread (I use fireline 0.10mm)
Bead mat

You'll probably need about a wingspan and a half of thread for this project, if you're comfortable working with a thread that long - go for it! If like me, you're recovering f
rom dislocating your shoulder, or you just prefer a shorter working thread, then you'll probably need to add a second thread part way through. 

1.       Pick up 1(A), 1(E), repeat 11 times. Go though all 22 beads again to form a ring, tie a double knot, go forward through your ring so that your thread is exiting an (E) and step up so that your thread is exiting the top hole of the gemduo.  You’ll notice here that you can see the thread along the side of the gemduo where you’ve stepped up, don’t worry, it’ll get hidden and you won’t be able to see it.  This is also the best time to weave in and cut off your tail thread.

2.       Pick up 1(F), go through the next top hole of the next (E). Repeat all the way around the ring, adding 11 3mm fire polish beads between the tops of the gemduos. Step up so that your thread is exiting from one of the gemduos.

 

3.       Pick up 4(C), go through the (A) between the gemduos and back up 2(C).

 

4.       Pick up 2(C) and go into the next gemduo. This makes a little Y shape of size 15 seed beads between the gemduos.

 

5.       Repeat steps 3 and 4 all the way around the pendant and step up so that your thread is exiting from a 3mm fire polish bead. You will find that the 3mm fire polish beads have been pushed to the back a little, and this is absolutely fine, so don’t worry!

6.       Pick up 4(B), go through the next (F), repeat all the way around the pendant. Step up so that your thread is exiting from the second (B) added in the first group of 4(B) added in this step.

 

7.       Pick up 1(B), go through the next 2(B), 1(F), 2(B). Repeat this all the way around the pendant, adding a point bead to the groups of 4(B). Step up so that your thread is exiting from the first (B) added in this step.

 

8.       Pick up 1(A), 1(G), 1(A), go through the next point (B). Repeat this all the way around the pendant. Do not pull tight in this step, there will be a bit of thread visible between the point (B) beads and the groups of 1(A), 1(G), 1(A), but it will be tightened up as we work through the next steps. Step up so that your thread is exiting from the first (G) added in this step on the reverse side of the pendant.

 

9.       We’re going to carry on working on the back of the pendant, and join the (F) and (G) beads together with little loops of 3(C) beads. Pick up 3(C), go through the (F) underneath the (G), pick up 3(C) and go through 1(G), 1(A), 1(B), 1(A), 1G).

 

10.   Repeat step 9 all the way around the pendant. Step up so that your thread is exiting from an (A) bead facing towards a (G).

 

11.   Use fairly light tension for this step, we will tighten it up in the following steps. Pick up 5(C), go through the (A) on the opposite side of the (G). Pick up 1(H), go through the next (A).

 

12.   Repeat step 11 all the way around the pendant, and step up so that your thread is exiting from the last (C) of the first group of 5(C) we added in step 11.

 

13.   Now we will increase the tension and ensure the loops of 5(C) sit around the outside edge of the pendant. Pick up 1(D), go through the (H). Pick up 1(D), go through the next 5(C). Repeat this all the way around the pendant. The ring of the pendant is now complete. Steps 14 onwards show how to make the bail – the part used to hang the pendant from a chain.

 

14.   With your thread exiting from the second (C) of a group of 5(C), pick up 1(B), 1(F), 1(B), 3(A), 1(B), 1(F), 1(B). Go into the next (C) in the group of 5(C).

 

15.   Pick up 1(B), 1(F), 1(B), 3(A), 1(B), 1(F), 1(B), go back into the middle (C), and then up into the (B) from group added in step 14.

 

16.   Go down into the corresponding (B) from the second group and back up into the (B) from the first group, effectively joining the two (B)s together using square stitch. Step up so that your thread is exiting from the (F).  (I know the photo looks like the thread is coming from the (B), but it should definitely be coming from the (F)).

 

17.   Pick up 3(D), go down the opposite 1(F), 1(B), and then back up through the 1(B), 1(F), 1(B), 2(A).

 

18.  Pick up 3(A), go through the middle (A) on the opposite side, back through the 3(A) you just  added and back through the (A) you started from in this step. GO through (A), 1(B), 1(F), 1(B). Join the two (B) beads together using square stitch as we did on the front side of the bail in step 16, and then step up so that your thread is exiting from 1(F), pointing away from the pendant.

 

19.   Pick up 3(D), go down through the 1(F) on the opposite side.

 

20.   You can reinforce the thread path of the bail and where it joins to the pendant if you feel your connection could do with strengthening. Weave in, tie off and trim your thread ends and add a chain to the bail.

 

21.   If you struggle to get your chain through the bail, try threading some beading thread through the chain end and then pulling this through the bail – it should help encourage your chain to go through.

 

 

I still can’t figure out which side of the pendant I prefer – especially on the purple version!

 

Bead colours used in my examples

		Purple/Silver	Golden
A	Size 11 seed bead	Miyuki 5115	Miyuki 4220
B	Size 11 seed bead	Miyuki 538	Miyuki 1072L
C	Size 15 seed bead	Miyuki 4201	Miyuki 4220
D	Size 15 seed bead	Miyuki 1899	Miyuki 462
E	Gemduo	Purple velvet / small target etched	Rainbow gold
F	3mm fire polish beads	Metallic turquoise	Crystal gold
G	4mm fire polish beads	Metallic dark purple	Etched slipperit
H	Edging beads	3mm Swarovski bicones, Crystal iridescent green	True2 2mm firepolish 24k gold AB

 

Scintilla Necklace

I think it'd be fair to admit that I'm a nerd, or maybe a geek. I spent nearly 8 years at university studying chemistry, so some of that geekiness inevitably sneaks out into me beading occasionally. This time it's the name of the design that's geeky. Scintillating is something that is sparkly or shining brightly, but it came to my mind because of scintillation counters which measure ionising radiation. I'll just leave a wiki link here before I lose you all! 

Back to the beads! 

These bezels are designed to be sparkly above all else. The crystal bicones make up the majority of the bezel, which is pretty unusual, there are a few seed beads at the back for stability... And then just a chain to turn them into a necklace. 

This bezelled chatons doesn't have to be used in a necklace, nor does it have to be clear crystals - I've made some earrings using this bezel before, and I love them. Check out the picture at the bottom of the page for the earrings. But you could use a row of these bezelled chatons as a bracelet, or add a few here and there throughout some beadwork for some sparkle.  

What you will need to make this: 

A. Size 15  Miyuki seed beads (silver) 2g)

B. 3mm crystal bicones (80)

C. 4mm crystal bicones (89)

D. Size 11 Miyuki seed beads (3g)

E. ss39 (8mm) chatons (10)

F. 30cm of chain + clasp and jump rings

Anything else? 

Bead mat, beading needle (my favourite is Miyuki needles), thread (I strongly recommend fireline for this as there are so many crystals), scissors or a thread zap, pliers for opening and closing jump rings. 

1.    Pick up 1(A),1(B) 8 times (total 16 beads). Go through all of these beads again and tie into a circle. Go through a couple of beads in the circle so that your thread is exiting a (B) bead.

2.    Pick up 1(C), 1(D) and go back through the (C) bead again. Skip the (A) bead in the circle and go through the next (B) in the circle. This adds the bicone as a little fringe.

 

 

3.    Repeat step 2 around the circle adding a total of 8(C) beads. Step up by exiting the (D) bead added in step 2.

4.    Pick up 1(D), pass through the (D) on the tip of the next crystal around on the circle. Repeat this until you have added a total of 8(D) beads and the circle is closed, go through the first (D) bead added in this step. Place your chaton into the centre of the circle, flat side down and pull the thread tight to close the circle.

5.    Pick up 1(D), go through the next 2(D) beads added in step 4. Do not go through any of the (D) beads from step 3. Repeat this three more times until you have added a total of 4(D) beads. Step up by going through the first (D) added in this step.

6.    Pick up 1(A), go through 1(D). Repeat 3 more times until you have added a total of 4(1). Sew through all 8 beads used in this step again to reinforce the thread path, then weave in, tie off and cut your threads. Repeat steps 1-6 until you have 10 bezelled chatons.

7.    With a new length of thread, weave and tie into one chaton and exit from one of (C) beads, facing towards the front of the bezel. Pick up 1(C) and go through a (C) on another bezel from front to back. Pick up 3(D) and go though the (C) on the first bezel. Leave an 8 inch tail thread as we will use this later.

8.    Pick up 1(A) and go through the connecting (C), pick up 1(A) and go through the (C) on the second chaton. Repeat this thread path without adding any beads, then step up by going through the (D) on the back of the (C) bead of the second bezel.

9.    To move across to the correct place to add the next bezelled chaton, we are going to add (D) beads between the (D) beads added in step 3. *Pick up 1(D), go through (D)* Repeat between * 3 times. Step up by going through the (C) bead toward the front of the bezel.

10. Repeat steps 7-9 until all 10 chatons are joined.

11. Move to the correct place to add your loop to connect your chain: *Pick up 1(D), go through (D)* Repeat between * 3 times. Go through the (C) and pick up 7(D). Go back through the (C) to make a loop. Repeat this thread path several times to strengthen it. Weave in, tie off and cut your thread. Repeat this step at the opposite end of your necklace using the tail thread.

12.  Using a jump ring, attach your chain to your (D)bead loops at each end of your necklace. If required, add the claps to your chain using jump-rings. 

I made this pair of earrings using the bezel for this necklace, they work beautifully - I used opal chatons and opal ABx2 bicones for as much sparkle as possible. 

       

      I'd love to see what you make using this design - feel free to tag me in your pictures on Instagram @BeadsByBecs or using the hashtag #BeadsByBecs

Daffodil Necklace Tutorial

Although this necklace sings about spring and daffodils, you don't have to make this in spring colours. Use some classic blacks, gold and silver and you'll have a stunning necklace that looks like stars rather than daffodils!

What will you need to make this necklace:

A. Half tila beads (6 per flower) 

B. Size 11 seed beads 3g

C. Size 15 seed beads 1g

D. ss39 (8mm) chaton (1 per flower)

E. 3mm fire polish beads (2)

F. 4mm bicones (12)

G. Miyuki 6mm sender bugles (8) 

H. Kite bead (2)

I. Length of chain, jump rings and a clasp

Anything else? 

Beading mat, beading needle - I use Miyuki needles, beading thread (I like 4lb fireline, especially as this
project has crystals and bugles in it), scissors or a threadzap, pliers for opening and closing jump rings.

To make the necklace you need three flowers, but these little daffodil flowers (or stars if you make them in different colours) would make fabulous earrings - just thread a jump ring through one of the petals and then attach that to an ear wire. 

1.    Pick up 6(A) and tie into a circle. Go through the first (A) again.

2.    Pick up 1(B), go through the next (A), repeat five more times adding a total of 6 (A) beads. Step up by going through the top (unused) hole in the (A) bead your thread is exiting.

3.    Pick up 2(A), go through the top hole in the next (A) bead. Repeat five more times adding a total of six lots of 2(A) bead. Step up so that your thread is exiting from the top hole of an (A) bead.

4.    Pick up 3(C) beads, go back through the hole in the (A) bead and through the next 2(B) beads. Repeat five more times adding a total of six groups of 3(C) beads. Step up by exiting from the middle (C) bead from the last group added.

5.    Pick up 2(C) beads and go through the middle (C) bead in the next group of 3 around. Repeat five more times adding a total of six groups of 2(C) beads. Keep the thread tension loose and pop the chaton in – pointy side down. Tighten the thread and repeat the thread path to tighten. Step up by working through your beadwork to exit from one of the pairs of 2(B) beads between the half-tilas.

6.    Pick up 3(B), and go through the next 2(B) beads, skipping the (A) bead. Repeat this five more times, adding a total of six groups of 3(B) beads. Step up by exiting from the first (B) bead added at the beginning of this step.

7.    Pick up 3(B), skip 1(B) and go down through the third (B) from step 6. Repeat this five more times, adding a total of six groups of 3(B) beads. Weave in and tie off the threads. Repeat steps 1-7 to make 3  flowers – leaving a long working thread attached to the last flower to construct the rest of the necklace.

8.    With your thread exiting from the middle bead of one petal, pick up 1(E), 1(F), 1(B), 2(F), 1(B), 1(F). Thread back through 1(F), 1(B), 1(F) to form a loop, pick up 1(E) and then go through the middle (B) of one petal on a second flower. Weave through 14 (B) beads on the second flower so that your thread is exiting the middle (B) bead of the next but one petal (see diagram).

9.    Pick up 1(E), 1(F), 1(B), 2(F), 1(B), 1(F). Thread back through 1(F), 1(B), 1(F) to form a loop, pick up 1(E) and then go through the middle (B) of one petal on a third flower. Go back through 1(E), 1(F), 1(B), 1(F), 1(E), the 15(B) beads in the bottom petals of middle flower 1(E), 1(F), 1(B), 1(F), 1(E) and 15(B) in the bottom of the first flower.

10. We will make the loop to add the chain: Pick up 1(B), 1(F), 1(B), 11(C), go back down through 1(B), pick up 1(F), 1(B) and go through the middle (B) on the next petal.

11. Go through 15(B) along the top of the first flower, pick up 1(G), go through the 1(C) in the group of crystals between the flowers, pick up 1(G), go through the middle (B) in the petal on the second flower, opposite. Repeat this to add a pair of (G) beads between the second and third flowers and weave through the petals on the top of the third flower so that your thread is exiting the (B) bead marked with an arrow.

12. We will make the loop to add the chain: Pick up 1(B), 1(F), 1(B), 11(C), go back down through 1(B), pick up 1(F), 1(B) and go through the middle (B) on the next petal. Step up so that your thread is exiting from the (B) bead marked with an arrow.

13. Pick up 1(C), 1(G), 1(C), 1(H)- through the narrow end, 1(C), 1(G), 1(C). Pass through the middle (B) in the top petal of the middle flower. Pick up 1(C), 1(G), 1(C), 1(H)- through the narrow end, 1(C), 1(G), 1(C) and pass through the middle (B) in top petal of the first flower.

14. Make a half-hitch knot and bead back through the middle (B) of the top petal (changing the direction you are beading in) and bead through 6(B) beads, exiting from the (B) before the middle (B) of a petal. Pick up 2(B), go through the bottom hole of the (H) bead, pick up 2(B). Bead through the middle flower to exit from the opposite petal, pick up 2(B), go through the bottom hole of the (H) bead, pick up 2(B) and go through the (B) next to the middle (B) of the petal on the third flower. Weave in and trim your thread ends.

15. Add a length of chain and a clasp to each end of your beadwork. Adding 7.5” of chain on each end should give an necklace approximately 18” in length.

I'd love to see what you make using this design - feel free to tag me in your pictures on Instagram @BeadsByBecs or using the hashtag #BeadsByBecs