Why Finishing Techniques Matter: Stitch and Wear Your Beaded Jewelry

re: Why Finishing Techniques Matter: Stitch and Wear Your Beaded Jewelry

KimberJ — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:32:59 GMT

Who says you have to finish the piece with a clasp?

Unfortunately, I don't have the patience for doing a whole bracelet, let alone a necklace, but I love doing peyote stitch. I found an excellent solution to my lack of attention span.

Using barrette blanks, I'll do more of a peyote "swatch" (3" or less, depending on the barrette blank), then I use E6000 to glue the piece to the barrette blank. These can be left "plain", or using another length of thread, you can add dangles to the bottoms. I'll do 10 seed beads, a matching Swarovski crystal, then 10 more seeds and make a "loop" through the ends of the peyote, using more and more seed beads (I use 8/0's and 6/0's so counting those tiny beads is easier) towards the middle for a fan effect. Sometimes I'll add small charms. And since I've discovered Shrink Film, I'll often make my own charms with pictures to add to the barrettes.

It's a great way to have fun with peyote if you can't focus long enough to do a full piece.

re: Why Finishing Techniques Matter: Stitch and Wear Your Beaded Jewelry

AdrienneC58 — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:54:08 GMT

I love using the button and loop closure but have had problems with getting the correct size loop. My suggestion for fixing this problem is stretchy cord! It is sometimes hard to make a loop large enough to fit over the button or bead without having a huge gap at the end or worrying about breaking the loop from over-stressing it. When finished weaving the bracelet try weaving a length of stretchy beading string through the last few rows and then add your loop. This allows the loop to be smaller in size, stretchy enough to go over the button/bead clasp, and helps avoid a wide gap at the end of your bracelet.

re: Why Finishing Techniques Matter: Stitch and Wear Your Beaded Jewelry

AdrienneC58 — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:54:06 GMT