Beadwork June/July 2020

Geometric beadwork has become a movement of its own. We’re excited to share it with you in a feature article from Kate McKinnon (page 28), along with projects to fuel your imagination. For those of you who need a little break from shaped beads, you’ll find five inspiring seed bead-focused designs. Wendy Ellsworth’s Stellar Explosion bangles (page 32) make us smile while taking our breath away, and Nicole Vogt’s Golden Frames necklace (page 42) is nothing short of stunning. The rest of this issue is packed with inspiration, too. We’re smitten with the whimsical Kitefish Earrings (page 54) that spotlights five of our favorite new shaped beads. Technical editor Meredith Steele shows off 10 products you’ll want to try in Cool Stuff (page 6). Bead Buzz is all about the new…

HANDPICKED FAVORITES IN THE Interweave Shop Fast & Fabulous Over the Top Sparkle Pattern Pack Make a sparkling statement with the Fast & Fabulous Over the Top Sparkle Pattern Pack from the Beadwork December 2019/January 2020 issue! Seven designers bring you elegant, beautiful necklaces that are sure to shimmer and shine during a night on the town. Find the perfect piece to complete your outfit or give as an unforgettable gift. Each design works up quickly and can be easily customized for a fast and fun project. Visit www.interweave.com to get your sparkle on! WHAT’S HAPPENING ON BeadingDaily.com Interweave’s New and Improved Website We’ve made quite a few changes and cleaned up a few things, so your experience will be faster and more secure than ever. Along with a new look and easier navigation, there are…

Arata Bracelet Vezsuzsi STITCH CYLINDER BEADS IN A radiating pattern to form interesting petal shapes, then join them together to make an eye-catching bracelet. TECHNIQUES Circular peyote stitch Herringbone stitch PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 3 g jet black opaque size 11° Japanese cylinder beads (A)3 g matte jet black opaque size 11° Japanese cylinder beads (B)3 g metallic hematite size 11° Japanese cylinder beads (C)3 g matte dull steel size 11° Japanese cylinder beads (D)3 g metallic silver size 11° Japanese cylinder beads (E)3 g white rainbow opaque size 11° Japanese cylinder beads (F)2 antiqued silver 6×9mm magnetic claspsCrystal 6 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS ScissorsSize 10 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 6" Vezsuzi used the following colors of Toho Aiko beads for this colorway: 49 (A), 49F (B), 81 (C), 566 (D), 714K (E), and 401 (F) artist’s tips ❯ Use firm tension throughout to encourage…

We’ve been watching Edgar Lopez’s beadwork in the last few years and are thrilled to bring his story and projects to you. His jewelry stands out with beautiful combinations of colors and innovative use of beading stitches. We hope you find inspiration in this Bead Artist article and would love to hear your thoughts at beadworkmag@goldenpeakmedia.com. Edgar Lopez is a gifted goldsmith who fell in love with beading and found his creativity shifting in a whole new dimension. Beads allow him the possibility of bringing shapes and colors together in entirely new ways—and he isn’t afraid of intricate stitching. Edgar recently moved to Long Island, New York, from the Dominican Republic. He enjoys working with crystals and gemstones to make colorful, dramatic jewelry inspired by his life in the Caribbean. He…

USE SEED BEADS and crystals to create this Caribbean jewel, dedicated to Ada, a great friend of the designer. TECHNIQUES Tubular square stitchSquare stitch variationPicotsNettingHerringbone stitch PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 1 g 24k gold-plated size 15° Japanese seed beads (A)2 g 24k gold-plated size 11° Japanese seed beads (B)1 g 24k gold-plated size 11° Japanese cylinder beads (C)6 aquamarine shimmer 2X 3mm Swarovski crystal bicones (D)10 jet 2XAB 4mm Swarovski crystal bicones (E)1 mint green Lacquer PRO 13×18mm Swarovski crystal oval fancy stoneCrystal 6 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS ScissorsSize 12 beading needle FINISHED SIZE Focal 7⁄8 × 1 3⁄8", adjustable ring size artist’s tips ❯ Use even, moderate tension throughout the project. ❯ Use FireLine for the crystal embellishment, even if you select a different thread for the rest of the project. Crystals are sharp and can cut other thread types. 1)…

STRETCH YOUR TECHNIQUE skills making this stunning cuff bracelet inspired by the designer’s love of the Caribbean. TECHNIQUES Square stitchCircular nettingRight-angle weaveLadder stitch variationNettingPeyote stitch PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 4 g 24k gold-plated size 15° Japanese seed beads (A)2 g silver-lined gold size 11° Japanese seed beads (B)3 g 24k gold-plated size 11° Japanese seed beads (C)3 g 24k gold-plated size 11° Japanese cylinder beads (D)8 g matte orange rainbow opaque 5mm 2-hole Tilas (E)20 Pacific opal AB 4mm Swarovski crystal bicones (F)20 aqua 2XAB 4mm Swarovski crystal bicones (G)72 Persian turquoise 3mm fire-polished rounds (H)10 coral 6mm gemstone rounds (J)Crystal 8 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS ScissorsSize 12 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 7 ½" artist’s tip Make the bracelet larger by slightly more than ½" increments with each additional component you join. Adjust the length of the Edge Strips as…