I love making peyote-stitch beaded beads. Not only are they
simple and fast, but it's also so easy to think up ways to embellish them!
These freshwater pearl-embellished beaded beads were inspired by the Lisa Peters
Art focal bead that I had in my stash. When I opened my most recent order of
freshwater pearl strands, the colors of these luscious green top-drilled pearls
immediately made me think of the colors in the focal bead. The idea for
embellishing the beaded beads came while I was watching an old episode of the
television sitcom
3rd Rock
From the Sun - the character of Mary Albright, an anthropology professor at
a "third-rate" university in central Ohio, wears some truly amazing ethnic
jewelry!
For each beaded bead, you will need:
-
1 g size 11° Japanese cylinder bead, in three
colors (A, B, C)
-
5 top-drilled freshwater pearls, 5-6mm
-
Braided beading thread, 4 lb test
-
Size 12 beading needle
-
Scissors or thread cutter
Make the beaded bead:
On a comfortable length of thread, string a stop bead. Pick
up 6 A, 12 B, and 6 A (Rows 1 and 2). Row 3: Peyote across with 3 A, 6 B, and 3
A.
Work in even-count flat peyote stitch for a total of 16 rows. Make sure the
ends line up and zip the peyote stitch into a tube.
Make two strips of
flat odd-count peyote:
Pick up 3 C. Work in flat odd-count peyote for a total of 24 rows. Wrap this strip
around one end of the beaded bead, covering the line between the two colors. (You might have to adjust the number of rows, depending on the size of your beaded bead and the tension with which you stitch.)
Zip the strip together tightly and weave in the thread.
When adding the second strip, don't weave in the end.
Instead, position the strip so that the thread is exiting from a bead near the
bottom of the strip. Pick up 1 B, 5 pearls, 1 B. Pass needle into the
corresponding edge bead on the peyote strip on the other side of the bead.
Weave back through the pearls and cylinder beads to strengthen. Weave the
thread into the strip, knot, and trim.
For the necklace, I used two of these pearl embellished
peyote-stitch beaded beads on either side of my focal bead and then finished
the necklace with a pattern of Swarovski bicones and more top-drilled pearls.
But imagine how lovely an entire necklace of these beaded beads would look!
Change up your colors or use the pearl-embellished peyote-stitch beaded bead
for your focal point. Experiment with colors and have fun!
Bead Happy,
Jennifer
Filed under: Bead-weaving, Crystals, Beading Tools, Peyote Stitch, Pearls, Beaded Beads, Bead Making, How to Bead, Bead Crafts, Beaded Jewelry Design, Beads