M I C H E L L E H E I M
BEADWORK june/july 2013 67
ous unit in this row and through the first 2 beads added in this unit (Fig. 2, red thread).
Rows 3–29: Repeat Row 2 twenty- seven times.
Row 30: Repeat Row 2, but exit down through Unit 3’s outside B that’s on the long side of the band.
2) TUBE. Use flat right-angle weave to join the edges of the band into a tube: String 1A, 1B, and 1A; pass up through the outside B of Row 30, Unit 1 (Fig. 3, green thread). String 1A, 1B, and 1A; pass down through the last B exited in Row 30, Unit 3, and the first 2 beads added in this step. *String 1A; pass down through the outside B of the previous row’s closest unit (Fig. 3, blue thread). String 1A, 1B, and 1A; pass up through the outside B at the opposite end of this same row. String 1A; pass through the nearest B of the previous unit added in this step, then weave through beads to exit from the last B added (Fig. 3, red thread). Repeat from * to connect the sides of the base into a tube. 1) BASE. Use flat right-angle weave to
form the base of the bracelet:
Row 1, Unit 1: Use 6' of thread to string {1A and 1B} four times, leaving a 12" tail; pass through the first 6 beads strung to form a tight circle (Fig. 1, green thread).
Row 1, Unit 2: String {1A and 1B} three times. String 1A; pass through the last B exited in Unit 1 and the first 4 beads just added (Fig. 1, blue thread).
Row 1, Unit 3: String {1A and 1B} three times. String 1A; pass through the last B exited in Unit 2 and the first 2 beads just added (Fig. 1, red thread).
Row 2, Unit 1: String {1A and 1B} three times. String 1A; pass through the last B exited in the previous row and the first 6 beads just added (Fig. 2, green thread).
Row 2, Unit 2: String 1A; pass through the top B of the next unit in the previous row. String {1A and 1B} twice. String 1A; pass through the last B exited in the previous unit of this row and weave through beads to exit up through the first B added in this unit (Fig. 2, blue thread).
Row 2, Unit 3: String {1A and 1B} twice. String 1A; pass through the top B of the first unit in the previous row. String 1A; pass up through the side B of the previ-
Fig. 1: Stitching Units 1–3 of Row 1 Fig. 2: Forming Units 1–3 of Row 2
Fig. 3: Joining the long base edges to form a tube
MATERIALS
6 g topaz gold luster size 11° seed beads (A) 10 g cream pearl 4×2mm peanut beads (B)
122 aqua 3mm fire-polished rounds (C) 1 antiqued brass 19×25mm lock-and-key
toggle clasp
Clear 6 lb braided beading thread
TOOLS
Scissors
Size 11 beading needle
FINISHED SIZE: 8¼"
Options
• If the small amount of exposed thread bothers you on the embellishment portion, you can add 1 size 15° seed bead to each side of the 3mm round.
• To form a spiraling pattern with the embellishment beads, start by placing a contrasting 3mm bead in one position, then move that color’s position over one unit in each of the following rounds.
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Fig. 5: Stitching one end of the tube
through beads to exit through an open A at the end of the tube (Fig. 6, blue thread). String 3A; pass through the C, the clasp, and back through the C. String 3A; pass through the A on the other side of the tube end (Fig. 6, red thread). Weave through the last 6A added to reinforce. Secure the working thread and trim.
Start 18" of new thread at the other end of the tube and repeat this entire step, using the other half of the clasp. ✦
3) EMBELLISHMENT. Turn the work and weave through beads to exit away from the beadwork, up through a side B of Row 1 at the end of the tube. Note: You will now begin working in rounds. *String 1C and pass up through the next side B of this base round to place the C diagonally across the unit; repeat three times for a total of 4C in this round (Fig. 4, blue thread). Weave through beads to exit up through a side B of the next round (Fig. 4, red thread) and repeat from *. Continue in this manner, embellishing each round with 4C. Weave through beads to exit from 1B at the end of the tube.
4) ENDS. Finish the ends and add the clasp:
Tube end: String 1A and pass through the next end B; repeat three times. Repeat the thread path twice to reinforce. Exit from 1A (Fig. 5).
Connector strands: String 3A, 1C, and one half of the clasp; pass back through the C. String 3A; pass through the A on the other side of the tube end (Fig. 6, green thread). Weave through all the beads just added to reinforce. Weave
Fig. 6: Adding one half of the clasp
Fig. 4: Embellishing the tube
MICHELLE HEIM started beading nine years ago after years of not being very crafty. Her first beading class kicked off the obsession. Now she co-owns a bead shop, Beadalotta, with her mom in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and loves being surrounded by all kinds of little treasures.
RESOURCES Check your local bead shop or contact: Miyuki seed beads, fi re-polished rounds,
FireLine braided beading thread, peanut beads, and TierraCast clasp: Beadalotta, (920) 322-1885, www.beadalotta.com.
• Work with no more than 6' of thread. Your stitching will go faster with fewer tangles when using shorter lengths of thread.
• Always pull the knots formed by ending and starting new threads into a peanut bead—the hole is a bit bigger, allowing you to avoid filling the size 11°s with thread.
• You can work this design with more rows for a thicker tube, but it will not be as firm. Also, you’ll need to make the base longer to accommodate the thickness.
TECHNIQUES circular peyote stitch wireworking
See p. 92 for helpful technique information.
PROJECT LEVEL
See p. 4 for project-level information.