Beadwork April/May 2020

Shaped beads captivate our imaginations in fresh, creative ways. We’ve packed this issue with beaded jewelry designs using beads shaped as leaves, diamonds, bars, and more. Bead-hole placement, dimensionality, and beautiful new finishes all contribute to the possibility of creating intriguing patterns. Many designers generously share alternate colorways so you can create the perfect beaded jewelry to suit your style. This year, we’re bringing you a Shaped Beads Guide update (page 15) that spotlights five of our favorite new shaped beads. In Bead Buzz (page 88), we learn how shaped beads go from concept to creation. A tremendous amount of innovation goes into manufacturing these tiny marvels! But if shaped beads aren’t your speed, you’ll find Patchwork Earrings & Necklace (page 10) and Oyster Bubbles (page 41) to to help you…

1. Caravan Beads’ latest jewelry kit is the Bella Braid Necklace. Shown here in the Vanilla colorway, this kit has all of the Miyuki beads, C-Lon bead cord, and findings you need to make this trendy braided necklace. Fully illustrated instructions and needles are in the handy reusable tin. See more colorways and dozens of other jewelry-making kits at www.caravanbeads.com. 2. These 19×36mm faceted quartz perfume-bottle pendants are just one example from a variety of styles from Cherry Tree Beads. Pleasing to the eye and the nose, you can easily fill these perfume bottles with a small amount of your favorite perfume or essential oil using the included dropper. Stainless steel or gold-plated chains adjust from 16" to 18". Available in earring styles, too. Visit www.cherrytreebeads.com to see the whole collection. 3.…

USE SEED BEADS AND CYLINDER BEADS with sparkly fire-polished rounds in geometric herringbone and peyote stitches for earrings that are reminiscent of a patchwork quilt. TECHNIQUES Herringbone stitch Peyote stitch PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 0.5 g bronze size 15° Japanese seed beads (A)2 g bronze size 11° Japanese seed beads (B)2 g light beige luster opaque size 11° cylinder beads (C)0.5 g turquoise luster opaque size 11° cylinder beads (D)12 bronze 2mm fire-polished rounds (E)1 pair of stainless steel 20×22mm ear wires with brass ball and coilSmoke 6 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS ScissorsSize 10 beading needle FINISHED SIZE Earrings: 1 ½ × 2 ¼ "Pendant: 1 ½ " 1) EARRINGS. Use herringbone and peyote stitches to create the earring: Round 1: Use 5' of thread to string 4E, leaving a 4" tail. Pass through the beads again to form a tight…

SHAPED BEADS PROVIDE MYRIAD WAYS YO KICK YOUR CREATIVITY UP A NOTCH. In 2019, Beadwork published our 101 Shaped Beads – The Essential Guide. Since then, a few new beads have come onto the market, and we want to share them with you! Look for inspiration using a few of these new shapes in this issue of Beadwork. Play with different thread paths and keep flexing your creativity with these new shaped beads! ChevronDuos 10x4x3mm Similar to the EVA bead, but slightly larger. Two vertical holes. Ginko Beads 7.5mm Ginkgo leaf-shaped beads with two vertical holes. Spelled Ginko or Ginkgo, depending on the retailer. Paros par Puca 7x4mm Elongated hexagon beads with two diagonal holes. Oval cabochons 8x6mm Textured high dome with a smooth flat back. Two horizontal holes. Bridge beads 5x12mm Three-holed long rectangle bead with an arched center.…

Melinda Barta pays attention to details. This trait made her a talented editor of Beadwork and is one of her secrets to success as a gifted author, instructor, and coordinator of the StarmanTrendSetters. She grew up in a creative household, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree, and has maintained a love for traditional techniques and the importance of craftmanship throughout her career. She says, “Regardless of which craft I’m dabbling in, I take the final result seriously.” Both of her parents are entrepreneurs, and Melinda credits them for raising her to take pride in her work. Her dad is an engineer and general contractor. Melinda explains, “My dad loves the business that he’s built so much that he works every day even when he could be retired. When he’s building…

beginner friendly! TEACUP PRESSED-GLASS BEADS give the geometric, diamond-shaped GemDuos a softer look in this mosaic-inspired bracelet. TECHNIQUE Right-angle weave variation PROJECT LEVEL MATERIALS 0.5 g gold-lustered amethyst size 11° Demi Round seed beads (A)0.5 g gold-lustered hydrangea size 8° Demi Round seed beads (B)56 metallic suede light green 4×2mm Teacup beads (C)28 saturated metallic red pear 4×2mm Teacup beads (D)16 polychrome aqua teal 8×5mm 2-hole GemDuos (E)30 matte metallic silver 8×5mm 2-hole GemDuos (F)1 antiqued silver 12mm toggle claspSmoke 4 lb FireLine braided beading thread TOOLS ScissorsSize 11 beading needle FINISHED SIZE 7" 1) UNIT 1. Use a variation of right-angle weave to form the first unit, working from outside to inside: Note: Work the first pass with relaxed tension, then use tighter tension on the reinforcement rounds. Take care to add the E and F faceup. Outside Round: Note: Place the…