Tutorial: Golden Tapestry Netted Cuff Bracelet

Netting is one of my favorite beading techniques because it is simple, medidative, and creates such beautiful collars. The method of connecting beads together in nets has been around for thousands of years, and was even used by the Ancient Egyptians - chances are you've seen photographs of the beautiful faience bead 'gown'. Netting in some form can be found in the beadwork of many cultures, sometimes with elaborate patterns and lovely layers. Though it does have some basic structural limitations, the spacing of the beads allows for many variations in netting, including the addition of accents in many sizes.

This super easy 'tapestry' cuff project was inspired by the Geometric bead box from Blueberry Cove Beads. This has been my all time favorite bead collection so far this year. When I pulled out all of the lovely beads in the inspiration box, I was struck by how wonderful each of the individual pieces was. The shapes and colors are each unique and beautiful in their own way, but when combined they create a gorgeous tapestry.

The harmony of combining beads together is one of the things that makes it such a rewarding art form, and this project is a great example of the way that you can easily mix together elements that might not seem matched at first sight.

Blueberry Cove Geometric Bead Box

Some of my favorite pieces from this set include the pretty purple mother of pearl coins, and the orange cat's eye cubes. Individually the beads are wonderul, and though they are different in every way, I knew that I could mix them together to make a gorgeous piece of jewelry. I added tiny gold hexagon beads to the palette from the Geometric box, and some green glass rounds and drops from the Rainforest bead box as well. Transparent topaz seed beads and purple crystals from my stash rounded out the palette perfectly.

If you don't have similar materials in your stash, try combining some of your favorite accents together. The pattern will work with just about anything 6mm and smaller - just be sure to leave room for the size and shape of each bead that you add: the coins in the project are used as a focal since they can overlap each other nicely along a single row, but the other beads sit snugly side by side. Once the netting is complete, the beadwork will have a wonderfully chunky texture. If you like your bracelets extra slinky, use waxed beading thread in place of the Fireline.

Materials:

10 yards 6lb test Fireline (crystal)
5 grams size 11/o seed beads (transparent topaz)
6 x 10mm mother of pearl coins (purple)
6 x 6mm glass drops (green)
18 x 5mm glass cubes (orange)
16 x 6mm glass rounds (green)
16 x 3mm crystal bicones (purple)
24 x 3mm hexagon beads (gold)


1. Attach a stop bead to a comfortable length of Fireline, leaving a 6 inch (15 cm) tail. Pick up 6 seed beads, and slide them down to the end. Pick up 1 seed bead, and begin stitching an even-count peyote panel. Continue working until your panel is 19 beads wide. Weave in and trim both threads. Create a second 6 x 19 peyote stitch panel and weave in the threads.

2. Attach a stop bead to a new length of Fireline, and weave into one of the peyote strips, exiting from a corner up-bead. Pick up 4 seed beads, and 1 hexagon bead. Continue stringing accents with 4 seed beads between each: add 1 drop, 1 hex, 1 cube, 1 hex, 1 drop, 1 hex, 1 coin, 1 hex, 1 drop, 1 hex, 1 cube, 1 hex, 1 drop, 1 hex. Finish with 4 seed beads.

3. Stitch up into a corner up-bead on the second peyote strip, and weave up through the following bead. Pass back down through the adjacent bead and the following bead to exit the panel. Pull snug.

4. Flip the beadwork. Pick up 4 seed beads, and stitch up through the last hex bead added in the previous row.

5. Pick up 4 seed beads, 1 cube, and 4 seed beads. Stitch up through the next hex bead of the previous row.

6. Continue adding accents with 4 seed beads to either side, passing through the hex beads to secure them: add 1 round, 1 cube, 1 coin, 1 cube, 1 round, and 1 cube.

7. To complete the row, pick up 4 seed beads.Stitch into the 3rd bead of the peyote strip, leaving one bead between each of the netting rows. Stitch through the following bead in the strip, and then turn as in step 3 to begin the next row.

8. Pick up 4 seed beads, 1 crystal, and 4 seed beads. Stitch through the last cube bead added in the previous row. Continue adding crystals for the entire row, passing through each of the accents beads. Finish by stitching into the 3rd bead of the peyote panel and turning the thread as usual.

9. Add 4 seed beads, passing through the last crystal added. Pick up 4 seed beads, 1 round bead, and 4 seed beads. Pass through the next crystal in the previous row.

10. Continue adding accent beads, using the opposite color/shape as the previous row, and a coin in the center. Finish the row and turn. In the following row, add all hexagon beads. Repeat the pattern until you have 5 rows with accents, 3 rows of hexagons, and 2 rows of crystals as shown.

Turn and exit from the last bead of the peyote panel to begin the final row.

11. Add 4 seed beads and pass through the last hexagon bead added in the previous row. Add 4 seed beads, 1 cube, and 4 seed beads. In the next stitch, add seeds beads and a glass drop. Continue adding the remaining accent beads, and finish the row with 4 seed beads. Weave in your threads and trim.

12. Weave across the peyote panel and exit from the fouth bead on the outside edge. Pick up 21 seed beads. Pass back through the first 3 beads again and into the 5th bead of the peyote panel. Pull snug.

Check the fit of the loop on one of your remaining glass rounds. It should be just big enough to slip over the bead smoothly. Adjust the number of beads in the loop if necessary, then continue weaving.

13. Weave through the peyote panel and exit from the edge, leaving a 2-bead space from the previous loop. Add a second loop with the same number of beads. Repeat to add two more loops, then weave in and trim the thread.

14. On the opposite edge of the cuff, position a new thread 4 beads from the end as before. Pick up 3 seed beads, 1 round, and 2 seed beads. Skipping the last seed bead added, pass back through all of the beads again, and into the 5th bead of the peyote panel. Pull snug.

Repeat this step to add 3 more toggles, leaving a 2-bead space between each. Weave in any remaining thread and trim.

This pattern will create a bracelet that is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) long. To increase the length of your design, you can add additional seed beads to the nets - working with 5 seed beads per stitch instead of 4 will add about 1 inch (15 cm).

Mortira

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Wardrobe Inspiration: Summer Berry

While putting together our Pantone inspired fashion picks last month, I came across this fabulous chunky bead necklace and bookmarked it for later. It has an amazing palette of deep raspberry, orange currant, cream, and black. The contrast between the neutrals and the incredibly juicy colors was very inspiring, and I couldn’t resist using it for this month’s fashion picks.

Summer Berry by mortira featuring leather handbags

I considered going with a colorblocking theme for this collage, and started with a colorful geometric frock with hints of orange. I loved the purple that it added to the mix, and things just started rolling along from there. I found lots of fun accessories to go with a palette of red, orange, purple, and cream. The damask bangle in bright purple is definitely a favorite.

I wasn’t able to find any tutorials for such a chunky beaded necklace, and that’s okay. Assuming you could locate (or make) the big beads, all you’d have to do is string them. Instead, I found some other chunky necklace projects that are great for summer outfits, and a lovely damask pendant project with an easy painted patina.

I love the ingenuity of DIY jewelry designers.
The magpie in me can’t stop looking at this wrapped stone necklace project by Trinkets in Bloom.




The custom clay beads in this chunky necklace project by Katie at Crafts Unleashed make it really adaptable.
I’d love to see it in lime and turquoise!

The floating glass pearls in Beadaholique’s Sea Treasures Earrings have
the same dew-drop effect as our red leaf ones. Very pretty!




These super-easy stamped polymer clay pendants from Doodle Craft are so pretty
they make me want to drop everything and get out my paints.

What’s your favorite berry-inspired palette?

Mortira

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Work in Progress: Quick Stitches

Working multiple projects at once is becoming the norm in my workspace. I seem to be constantly juggling different designs and working on quick projects in between photo days. Right now I’m putting together the project for our next Master Class lesson in circular peyote stitch. From there we’re going to look at a whole bunch of variations on tubular peyote before working our way back to more flat variations like odd count and freeform.

This weekend I didn’t quite have the energy to start a big side project, so I decided to go with something easy that I could make while tuning out to favorite flicks. Since I had just pulled out the packet I’d put together for an ankh pendant, I thought it would be nice to finally use it. The orange glass beads from Blueberry Cove’s Autumn bead box have been great. The finish is really doing all of the work for me.

What are you making right now?

Mortira

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October Bead Stash Favorites

October is one of those special months where everything seems to reach a turning point. The weather of a new season makes itself known. The necessity for year-end plans starts to rear its head. Essential craft projects and deadlines loom. Although for me October means the start of an incredibly busy three months, I still love it for all of the great things it brings, like colorful leaves and the promise of all of the best holidays. (Happy Hallowe’en!)

This month my favorite beads are all about great color and fun shapes. Throughout the year the inspiration of any bead collection can wax and wane – beads that seem exciting one minute leave us stumped the next. Right now, I’ve got my sights on a few essentials that are sure to bring good inspiration.

First up is a strand of amazing orange glass beads from Blueberry Cove Beads’ Autumn collection. The best word to describe the color is “Pow!” Its earthiness and intensity is strengthened by the organic finish. It’s not quite Picasso but it has the same “just brushed off the dust” kind of look. I can’t wait to add it to some fringe or a pretty chain.

I had all kinds of plans for assorted accent beads in my stash this year, and many of them just didn’t come to fruition. One thing I definitely want to get some use out of before winter ends is this tube of topaz O-beads. They’re great for stitching onto flat beadwork, and to use as delicate spacers. I’m hoping that I’ll find a few more interesting ways to make them shine, too.

Finally, I still haven’t broken into any of my strands of vintage millefiori beads yet. I most certainly need to get on that, and soon! There’s something so essentially beady about millefiori, and not just because they’re so classic. The patterns really showcase the wonder of glass art, and that makes them totally perfect for art jewelry.

What kinds of projects do you have planned for fall and winter?

Copyright 2015 Inspirational Beading
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Work in Progress: Colorblock Contrast

This week I’m working on a new fringe necklace, and I cannot wait to see how it will come out. I wanted to try the new shell pendants in my surprise pack from Blueberry Cove Beads; the shape and color is gorgeous, and the pendants are just the right size for really bold fringe. I pondered a few different palettes, but decided to go with a strong contrast in blue for the rope base.

As I was looking over my blue seed bead stash, I realized that I had several different shades of blue in opaque rainbow finish, so I thought it would be fun to combine them in an ombré type pattern. All I have to do now is decide on a color for the fringe strands!

The pendant that I was working on last week turned out kind of amazing. I love how the three chain colors work together, and how they highlight the finish of the ceramic focal. Unfortunately, I was so engrossed in what I was watching as I finished the necklace that I forgot to cap the strands with the second druk. (Thanks a lot, Cracked.com!) I think perhaps I’d better stick to watching movies I’ve already seen while working, just to be safe.

On the plus side, I was planning on keeping this piece for myself, so I’m not too worried about it. Nobody’s going to see the missing druk while I wear it!

What are you making right now?

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Autumn Color Inspiration

Another bead giveaway has come to a close. Thank you so much to everyone who entered to win the fall treasures bead mix!

This month I asked about your favorite fall colors. Our winner, Estra, chose the combination of brown, orange and yellow. These colors definitely bring to mind the beautiful colors of autumn foliage, fall harvests, and cozy sweaters.

What do these colors say to you?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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Bead Giveaway: Fall Treasures

Although I’m taking a little time this month to explore non-traditional color possibilities for fall palettes, it’s always nice to revisit the classics. The warm colors of the fall table, field, or forest are a welcome comfort when the weather turns cold.

For this month’s bead giveaway, I’ve selected a wonderful trove of fall-worthy vintage acrylic beads. The first bundle includes beads that are about 6 to 14 mm, in a variety of shapes like ovals, tubes, rounds and rondelles. The palette is a gorgeous mixture of brown, amber, peach and terracotta. The second batch features smaller accents from about 2 - 12 mm, with lots of faceted rounds. Colors include a wide variety of browns, plus bone, gold, topaz and burgundy.

How to Enter

For a chance to win all of the beads shown, leave a comment here on Inspirational Beading and let us know what you favorite fall color is. One lucky winner will be drawn on Monday, October 20th.

Important: Comments must be posted directly at InspirationalBeading.Blogspot.com to qualify, but no log-in is required. Please make sure to leave a contact method in your comment if you do not have a profile with a public email address. For security, you can type your email like so: username AT yourmail DOT com. Incomplete or duplicate entries will not be included in the draw.

Good luck, and happy beading!

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More Halloween Beading Tutorials

It’s that time of year again, when all of our thoughts turn to pumpkins, ghosts, and bats. One of the best things about the beading craft is how well our materials can convert to holiday themed designs, just by mixing the right elements and color palettes. Round orange beads can transform easily into pumpkins, red crystals into vampire blood, and stripes into candy corn. The possibilities are endless!

Here are a few of my favorite Halloween beading and jewelry projects this year:

There’s a lot of beadwork and fringe in this Trick or Treat Trail cuff project from Artbeads.com.
The crystal trim really stands out against a black peyote stitch base.



1. These Orange Ombre Paint Chip Earrings from Minted Strawberry are a easy to make, and require only a few simple tools.
Plus, the palette can be adapted to any style you choose.

2. Soft Flex’s wireworked Black and Orange bracelet project from All Free Jewelry Making
showcases the beauty of simple glass beads in a very festive palette.

3. Margot Potter takes the potion necklace to a whole new level with her vampire In Case of Emergency mixed media project.
For a fast version, try My So Called Crafty Life’s Mini Apothecary Jar Necklace tutorial.
Also check out Margot’s Crystal Web Collar necklace project for a great October statement piece.

4. Cameos and peyote patterns combine in this elegant and spooky Colette’s Choker tutorial from Beadaholique.




1. Another great project from Minted Strawberry - would you believe that these spooky
Skull Earrings started out as tongue depressors? All they need are some ruby red flatbacks!

2. This quick and easy Fall Leaves earring tutorial
from Auntie’s Beads will satisfy your cravings for orange.

3. If you love an authentic holiday craft experience, check out Gingerbread Snowflake’s tutorial on
dying and stringing your own fresh pumpkin seed necklace.

4. This Edge of Darkness Bracelet project from FusionBeads.com is beadiful and spooky.
Too grim? A touch of red, purple, or green would make it really pop.

Happy beading!

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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Work in Progress: Springsicle Collar

Do Creamsicles and flowers go together? Both are things we look forward to when spring starts to appear, so I’m going with yes. This week I’ve been working on an assortment of odds and ends, and in the margins I decided to whip up a new chevron collar with a little twist.

It occurred to me that since the outer edge of the curved chevron pattern has five seed beads, and a daisy stitch is three beads wide, add two more beads for bumpers and it’s a perfect fit. I wasn’t really sure where I wanted to go with the idea until I decided I wanted to use up some of these lustered orange seed beads I have that never seem to fit anywhere. The solution to that is just make them the focus of a design.

This piece just needs a clasp, then it’s on to more top secret experiments. I can give you just a little hint about what I’m working on - it involves lifting a few of my bead taboos, and I couldn’t be more excited about finally letting go a little. I’m going to have a lot of fun making some designs that have never before been seen in my studio!

What are you working on this week?

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Spring Jewelry Colors: Part Two

This week’s fashion color trios are inspired by Rebecca Minkoff’s sketch for the Pantone Spring 2014 lineup. I can’t decide which I like more - the amazing shade of Freesia yellow, or Rebecca’s perfectly subtle use of the colors on chic neutrals. The trio of Freesia, Celosia Orange, and velvety Hemlock would look amazing in statement jewelry as well as patterned beadwork. Just imagine a crocheted rope with these spring hues!

It was a bit of a challenge to find the right balance of colors for this collage, while still keeping the pieces that I really liked together. I definitely wanted to keep some of the black-and-white striped elements, as well as tunic style tops. The bold yellow leather statement necklace is a great piece for just about any palette - it would be just as suitable for fall outfits, too! Since the yellow is so intense, I also went heavy on the orange and left the hemlock in the background - just a touch here and there to keep things from looking like a fruit bowl.

Cultivated Experiences by mortira featuring a leather trousers

Here are some gorgeous jewelry tutorials to try featuring elements from this week’s collage:

Three Leather Necklace Tutorials by Cotton+Curls: These super simple leather and chain necklaces would look fantastic with some additional Swarovski crystal or Czech glass.

Leather Leaf Necklace Project by Missie Krissie: This project can go from a fall design to a spring sensation by including beads in cool tones like sky blue and hemlock green.

DIY Suede Fringe Necklace by Pop Champagne: A bit of sari silk included in this simple design would make for a gorgeous pop of color.

Enameled Flowers Spinner Ring by Beadaholique: This ring project would look beautiful in any color combination.

Neon Lace Necklace Tutorial by A Matter of Style: This project idea is great on its own, or as a base for an amazing embroidery project.

And my favorite Polyvore collages featuring some of this week’s picks:

Red Yellow Grey Contest 2 by angkclaxton featuring flat sandals

Senza titolo #140 by asphaltjungle featuring a high waisted leather skirt

Yay by butterflybush29 featuring a fringe infinity scarf

Do you like to use bright and vibrant colors in your designs? What shades are your favorite?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
Pantone and Rebecca Minkoff
Collages Hosted by Polyvore.com
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Wear It Twice: Harvest Gourds

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers, wherever you may be! I’ve been saving this month’s jewelry and fashion collage for today - the colors of a fall dinner table are just too beautiful to resist. Gourds and pumpkins are especially charming, with warm, muted shades of green, yellow, orange and brown.

I started this collage with a beautiful multistrand necklace is the soft yellow of creamed corn. After that it was just a matter of finding some beautiful fall colors like pea green and russet brown. Naturally, knits and long sleeves were ideal for late fall outfits.

Gourd Gorgeous by mortira featuring shiny pants

I couldn’t resist a generous helping of leaves as well. Both outfits feature very different approaches to leaf earrings, each with their own appeal. I love the color and silhouette shape of the orange filigree, and the natural look of brass dangles. Which one is your favorite?

Multistrand necklaces are wonderful pieces to make and wear - they are the perfect way to showcase gorgeous beads or a wonderful color combination. Here are some fun tutorials to try:

Multistrand Seed Bead Necklace or Bracelet Project from How Did You Make This?

Fabric Wrapped Mulistrand Choker Tutorial from Jewelry Making Journal

DIY Seed Bead and Chain Necklace by For the Love Of…

Creme de la Creme Multistrand Necklace Project from FusionBeads.com

And for the earrings, here are some great inspiration projects using lovely leaves:

Swinging Leaves Wirework Earrings Tutorial by The Real Leopardstripes

DIY 10 Minute Leaf Earrings from My Girlish Whims

Micromacrame Leaves and Pearls Earrings Tutorial from Raquel’s BeaDesigns

And finally, my favorite Polyvore collages featuring this month’s picks:

Untitled #671 by quitabaity featuring a moonstone ring

Tomato and Mustard Fashion by shisaling featuring a wool coat

Issa Wrap - effect silk-jersey top by fantasiegirl featuring Brunello Cucinelli

Are you enjoying the fall colors right now? What combinations are your favorite?

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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