Beading and Bead Patterns

Beading Patterns Free Peyote Stitch

2006-01-24T10:09:00.000-06:00

Learn how to peyote stitch with easy step by step instructions and diagrams.

The peyote stitch is an easy and enjoyable bead stitch to learn. Beginner beaders to advanced fall in love with the peyote stitch because of its versatility, flexiblity and beauty. The peyote stitch almost feels like fabric and can be use to make chokers, beaded purses... and endless bead designs.

Supplies

40" (60cm) Nylon beading thread

Beading needle

Size 11 seed beads

How To Bead A Peyote Stitch...

Step 1. Thread on a top bead

Step 2. Thread on 7 more beads

Step3. Thread another bead and then thread your needle through the 3rd bead from the end.
Pull the thread so that the new bead sits on top of the 8th bead of the first row.

Step 4. Thread another bead and then thread your needle through the 4th bead from the end of the first row.

Step 5. Repeat Step 4, 2 more times, weaving the thread through every other bead on the first row.
You will end the second row with the thread going through the stop bead. (your first bead).
You should have added 4 new beads.

Click here to read the rest of these beading stitch instructions with easy to follow diagrams. Plus find more free bead patterns!

Bracelet Bead Pattern - Pearls, Crystal and Silver

2006-01-20T12:10:00.000-06:00

Have fun with this 3 strand bracelet made with crystal pearl, crystal bicones and silver beads. It sparkles, it shines... fancy enough to wear out on the town... yet you can wear it with any color sweater or t-shirt and look great! And best of all, this bracelet is easy to make!

Skills required:

Crimping

Stringing Beads

Click here to finish reading this free bead pattern with diagrams and photos...

Beading Crimping Instructions

2006-01-10T13:06:00.000-06:00

Learn how to crimp with these step by step illustrated beading crimping instructions.

Step 1. Thread the wire through the crimp tube, through the ring on the clasp

Step 2. Thread the wire back through the crimp tube

Step 3. Lay the crimp tube on the back portion of the crimping pliers

Step 4. Close the crimping pliers to squeeze the crimp tube flat

Step 5. Lay the flattened crimp tube on its side in the front space of the pliers

Step 6. Close the crimping pliers again to squeeze the crimp tube in half again

Click here to read the rest of this article with easy to read diagrams...

How To Make A Simple Wire Loop

2006-01-09T08:28:00.000-06:00

For many of your bead patterns, you will need to know how to make a simple wire loop. A simple wire loop is medium thick wire wrapped to form an enclosed loop that you use to string beads and dangles.

To create a simple loop you should use 20 guage wire or a head pin. You would use a head pin if you only need one side of your bead(s) to have a loop. You would use the wire if you need to create loops on both ends of the bead. As you can see, a head pin is perfect for creating dangles for earrings and for dangles to hang off your necklace. A loop on each end of a bead allows that bead to be hooked on both ends for creative design purposes.

The instructions here for a simple wire loop will show a 2" head pin... but you can use this method on your wire of choice.

Step 1. With your flat-nose pliers, grasp the wire at least 1/2" from the end.

Step 2. Using your finger, press the wire over the pliers creating a 90 degree angle

Step 3. With your round-nose pliers, grasp the wire close to the bend, with the wire close to tips of the pliers. (Where the wire is located on the round-nose pliers will determine the diameter of the loop. You should have the wire where the arrow is pointing in the photo.)

Step 4. Roll the pliers toward the bend... use your finger to press the wire around the pliers to form a loop... with the tail of the wire laying at a 90 degree angle across the bend.

Step 5. Cut the wire close to the bend.

Click here to read this article with photos and diagrams...

Bracelet Bead Pattern - Pearls and Sea Foam Seed Beads

2006-01-08T11:26:00.000-06:00

This is part 1 of the Bracelet Bead Pattern - Pearls and Sea Foam Seed Beads 3 part series. Follow this bead pattern to create a beautiful 3 strand beaded bracelet with pearl dangles.

This 3 strand beaded bracelet is elegant with it's cool, translucent sea foam strands... and dangles of glass pearls... sparkling with silver beads and spacers. Wear this bracelet with an elegant white blouse or dress up your casual t-shirts... or wear it with a green sweater to pull out the green. Beautiful!

Skills required:

Crimping
Stringing Beads
Wire Working

Click here to read the rest of this bead pattern with detailed diagrams and photos...

How To Bead A Diamond Motif

2006-01-07T12:14:00.000-06:00

Bead weave a beautiful diamond motif that will add dazzle to any bead design. This step by step beading lesson will have you creating a complex looking diamond motif in less than an hour!

Weaving beads into shapes can open up the possibilities for your bead designs. This bead pattern will show you how to weave a diamond motif out of crystal bicones and rounds. You can use this motif as a focal point for a necklace or bracelet... as a dangle for earrings... or repeat the design for a diamond motif choker.

Click here to see the rest of this bead pattern with diagrams and photos...

How To Make A Wrapped Wire Loop

2006-01-06T10:51:00.000-06:00

Learn how to make a wrapped wire loop step by step. This is an essential skill in all your bead jewelry making.

For many of your bead patterns, you will need to know how to make a wrapped wire loop.

A wrapped wire loop is medium thick wire wrapped to form an enclosed loop that you use to string beads and dangles.

To create a wrapped loop you should use 20 guage wire or a head pin. You would use a head pin if you only need one side of your bead(s) to have a loop. You would use the wire if you need to create loops on both ends of the bead. As you can see, a head pin is perfect for creating dangles for earrings and for dangles to hang off your necklace. A loop on each end of a bead allows that bead to be hooked on both ends for creative design purposes.

The instructions here for a wrapped loop will show a 2" head pin... but you can use this method on your wire of choice.

Step 1. With your flat-nose pliers, grasp the wire at least 1" from the end.

Step 2. Using your finger, press the wire over the pliers creating a 90 degree angle

Step 3. With your round-nose pliers, grasp the wire close to the bend, with the wire close to tips of the pliers. (Where the wire is located on the round-nose pliers will determine the diameter of the loop. You should have the wire where the arrow is pointing in the photo.)

Step 4. Roll the pliers toward the bend... use your finger to press the wire around the pliers to form a loop... with the tail of the wire laying at a 90 degree angle across the bend.

Step 5. Grasp the loop with your flat-nose pliers, so that the intersection of the wire on the bend is inside the pliers... and the nose of the pliers is pointing in the same direction as the tail.

Step 6. Using your finger, bend the tail tightly around the wire.

Click here to read this article with photos and diagrams...

Necklace Bead Pattern - Aqua, Turquoise and Topaz

2006-01-02T22:01:00.000-06:00

Learn how to make a beautiful turquoise, aqua and topaz crystal and bead necklace. This original bead design will add dazzle and drama to your outfit. Plus it's super easy to make!

This bead necklace is made of a strand of turquoise seed beads that weaves in and out of a strand of turquoise seed beads, aqua crystal beads and dark topaz focal beads. The multiple cool shades of turquoise and aqua are warmed with the topaz accents. Wear this bead necklace with your favorite turquoise or brown top!

Skills required:

Crimping
Stringing Beads

Click here to read the rest of this necklace bead pattern with photos and diagrams...

How To Make A Beaded Snow Flake

2005-12-19T18:16:00.000-06:00

For the holidays, nothing's easier than decorating gift boxes, wreaths, your tree and doors with beaded snow flakes. It's amazing how something so simple can add a ton of elegance to any holiday decorating project.

You will need:

Snowflake ornament wire form
Assortment of brilliant beads (crystals, rhinestones, metals)
Clear rubber earing backs
Organza ribbon

Instructions:

1. Slide your beads onto the form. Starting with a 4mm bicone works best and creates a shiny center.

Click here to read the rest of this article...

How To Choose The Right Wire Gauge For Your Beading Project - Part 1

2005-12-18T09:06:00.000-06:00

If you're a beginner, it can be overwhelming with all the choices presented before you to make a piece of jewelry... or any bead project!

One of the things you need to know to have a successful project is the type of wire to use for your beading project.

Here are few tips to help you make the right decision:

Use 14 to 16 gauge wire (very thick and heavy) if you are going to make a bracelet, free-form shapes, neckwires, lampshade forms, and napkin rings.

Use 18 gauge wire (thick) if you are going to make your own clasps, string ethnic glass beads and other large bone, wood, or ceramic beads with large holes or wire wrapping candlesticks and chainmaking.

Use 20 gauge wire (Medium) if you are going to make earwires, headpins and small wire clasps and stringing glass beads.

Most base metal headpins and earwires are made from 20 gauge wire.

Use 22 gauge wire (medium thin) when 20-guage is too thick. It is good for stringing Austrian Crystals or transparent semi-precious beads including amethyst, quartz and fluorite.

Want to learn how to use 24, 26, 28 and 30 guage wires? Click here to read part 2 in "Choosing the right wire guage" series...http://www.beadpatternsonline.com

How To Make A Bead Bracelet With Stretch Magic

2005-12-18T08:54:00.000-06:00

Trying to find a beading project that requires no wire wrapping and as little crimping as possible?

Then make a bracelet with stretch magic... or any other elastic material designed for threading beads.This bracelet project can be as simple or as elegant as your skill and imagination allows. If you want to make a beautiful gift, consider crystals and marcasite. If it's for a child, consider pony beads.When you're ready...

What you need:

1 Pack of Stretch Magic
Assortment of 6mm and 4mm beads (crystal, marcasite, bicones)
2x2 Sterling Silver Crimp
Crimping pliers
Wire cutter

Instructions:

1. Decide on the length of your slip-on bracelet.

2. Add approximately four inches on both ends of your desired length.* Use the wire cutters to cut the Stretch Magic.

3. Slide on all of your beads in the desired bead pattern.

4. Slide on the crimp bead5. Center the crimp bead on your finger and pull the Stretch Magic tight to make it thinner inside of the crimp bead

Click here to read the rest of this article...

How To Make Glass Bead Jewelry

2005-12-17T21:06:00.000-06:00

Making a bracelet or necklace out of one material can be quick and easy. Glass beads can be beautiful strung together... in all one color or in a variety of hues. Make a collection of glass beads and follow these instructions to make a simple beaded bracelet or necklace.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Glass Beads
bead stringing wire
clasp set
crimp beads
needle-nose pliers
wire cutters

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Start with a length of bead stringing wire that is approximately six inches longer than the piece of jewelry you intend to make.

2. Slide on a crimp bead, then half of the clasp set. Bend approximately two inches of the wire, going back through the crimp bead, and draw it snug against the clasp.

3. Use your needle-nose pliers to flatten the crimp bead against the clasp so that it cannot slide up or down.

Click here to read the rest of this article...

How To Make A Toggle Necklace

2005-12-17T20:53:00.000-06:00

A toggle necklace is a beaded necklace that has the toggle in the front of the piece as a dramatic focal point. Follow these easy step by step instructions to make a beautiful glass beaded toggle necklace.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
Glass Beadsbead stringing wire toggle clasp set crimp beads head pins or eye pins jump rings needle-nose pliers wire cutters

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Start with a length of bead stringing wire that is approximately six inches longer than the piece of jewelry you intend to make.

2. Slide on a crimp bead, then the loop end of the toggle.

3. Bend approximately two inches of the wire, going back through the crimp bead, and draw it snug against the clasp.

4. Use your needle-nose pliers to flatten the crimp bead against the clasp so that it cannot slide up or down.

5. String all of the beads onto the wire (the first few beads should be strung over both thicknesses of wire).

Click here to read the rest of this article...