I love new beads! I recently got some of the new Twin Beads (similar to Duo Beads, a more uniform – and expensive – version of Twins). I’ve seen a few designs out there, but tried not to look at any too closely because I wanted to come up with something new first. So, I give you Patchwork:

The tutorial is available here: http://beadingbutterfly.com/patterns-tutorials/patchwork-bracelet-tutorial

Then there was Claddagh (http://beadingbutterfly.com/patterns-tutorials/claddagh-reversible-tila-peanut-bracelet):

Then Cosmos (tutorial coming soon):

Then there was this unnamed necklace (no tutorial yet):

Then Geode (http://beadingbutterfly.com/patterns-tutorials/geode-necklace-tutorial):

Then Enchanted (tutorial coming soon):

And last weekend, I made Forest Elf (tutorial coming soon):

I have a couple of other ideas brewing… wonder what I’ll end up with next?

Happy beading!

Back before Christmas, I went crazy making these pendants. I call them Geode, because they remind me of the gorgeous crystals that grow inside geodes. I made the red and black one first (and then made 4 more!), to give as gifts. Then one of the people I gave one to asked if I could make more for her to give as gifts, too. So, I made 4 more in one evening and she bought them all!

Now I have written the tutorial, so that others can make their own: http://beadingbutterfly.com/patterns-tutorials/geode-necklace-tutorial

I saw a variation of the Pagoda Bracelet from August 2010 B&B at Birdsong Beads in Andrews, NC. I made further variations and ended up with this amazing bracelet.

I played around with it some more and came up with these earrings as well.

Now I’m working on a necklace with beaded beads, netted rope, and maybe some herringbone. It’s pretty slow going.

I have more ideas than I can bead, sometimes, and that’s good. Although, it does make for a lot of UFOs!

Black Friday sale starts now! From now through Sunday, all patterns are 10% off in my webstore, on Etsy, and on ArtFire. On Etsy, use the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY to receive the discount.

I made these bracelets a while ago, but I was waiting to see if the tutorial would be picked up by Beadwork. They declined, but that means that I can show them off now – plus, the tutorial is now for sale on my website here: http://beadingbutterfly.com/patterns-tutorials/claddagh-reversible-tila-peanut-bracelet

The bracelet’s shape reminds me of a traditional Claddagh band with its diagonal lines and “crown”. It is made with peanut beads and Tilas, and because there are two layers of Tilas, it can be reversible as well.

I did discover that the galvanized Matsuno peanuts do not hold their color, so I would recommend applying a fixative such as Krylon before using. The jury is still out on the ones I’ve sprayed – I think they may need a second coat.

This one isn’t reversible due to the clasp I chose, but I thought it went perfectly with the bracelet’s Celtic theme:

This one is black on one side and metallic green on the other. Again, the galvanized peanuts leave much to be desired, so I hope the Krylon works so that I can make another one.

Use 1.8mm cube beads (I recommend Miyuki, as the Toho 1.5mm cubes are very irregular), 11/o seed beads, and 3mm bicone crystals to create a bracelet in a narrow or wide width. The tutorial is available in my shop here.

The second tutorial, Princess Zelda’s Rupees, is named for the jewel icons in the Nintendo games. The tutorial is available here.

There is also a discounted set available for both tutorials here.

This one is the same pattern as my Indigo Glacier Bracelet, in khaki and copper. The tutorial is available in my shop.

I made two new colorways of Nuthin’ but Net, a netted rope bracelet. The tutorial is available here.

That’s all for now. I will post again shortly with my newest tutorials and some other pieces I’ve made recently.