Miyuki Triangles

I've just  recently added all three sizes of Miyuki Triangles to my Red Panda Beads inventory.  While I was photographing these beauties, I was amazed at the gorgeous colors that the Triangles come in.  The colors are richer and more intense than Delicas.  Since the Miyuki Triangle beads have such thick walls, they have more area for the colors to unfold.  The inside color lined beads sparkle more with the triangle shape of the beads.  I must admit that I'd not really done anything with Miyuki Triangle beads before and wondered what they could be used for.

While these beads are technically Triangles, they have rounded edges, no sharp edges or corners that you would normally associate with a triangle.  For my first project I chose size 5/0 Miyuki Triangles.  These photographed above are 5TR1162 - the description is Inside Color Lined Gold/Brown.  They have an iridescence that changes color with movement.  Lovely.  So I used these in my favorite 3-drop Peyote stitch.  

They worked great.  This cuff bracelet has a very nice texture created by the Triangle beads.

Next I had to decide how to do the clasp.  I chose one of the new anti-tarnish clasps - very elegant!

 I used size matching 8/0 Miyuki Triangles (8TR1162) to attach the toggle end of the clasp.

Here is a photo of the clasp closed.

Here is the finished cuff.  These Miyuki Triangles turned out much better than I'd ever imagined for this cuff bracelet.  Next, I'm on to the tiniest of the Miyuki Triangles - size 10/0.  

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Miyuki 11/0 Delicas to make hat bands

Marcia is one of my newest customers.  She uses Miyuki 11/0 Delica beads to make beaded hat bands.

Here is a sample of her bead work.  This is a bracelet she made for a fundraising event.  This design is by Sylvia Sur.

Here are several of her hat bands together.  She carefully designs each hat band herself.

The designs are suited for the hats they adorn.

I love the color and detail each adds to it's host hat.

Even simple designs make these hats special.

I tried to pick my favorite and I can't!  I like them all!

Thanks so much for sharing Marcia!  Hats off to you!

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Experimenting with Crystals

While I was doing my Peyote Open Triangles bracelet a couple of months ago, I got the idea to try peyote with other size beads.  I've been experimenting with size 11/0 Delicas and size 8/0 Delicas ~ but I have not hit upon anything that I really like.  I'm still working on it though, so stay tuned in the not to far future for a stunning piece using various sizes of Delicas!

I have turned my attention to Peyote with Delicas and other types of beads.  Today I finished my Swarovski Crystal and 11/0 Delica bracelet.  I am still using the new DB551 anti-tarnish silver plated beads from Miyuki.  This time I chose pretty blue Swarovski Crystal (blue is my favorite color).  I'm using 4lb test crystal FireLine and a 2.125" big eye needle to string this project together.  

I wanted to see how crystals would work in a square stitch with the Delicas.  I came up with this cute link.  After completing seven links, I attached them with more Delicas and a larger crystal between each link.

Then I decided to do a toggle clasp made of Delicas.  To complete the toggle, I chose one of the newer Delica colors, DB1764 - this was just released in 2009.  It very closely matches the blue in the crystals.

I like the way it continues the theme of the bracelet all the way through the clasp.

I just did a simple loop on the other end to complete the simple, yet elegant clasp.

Here you can see how the clasp works.

Here is the bracelet on my wrist.

And here is the finished bracelet!

I love this Delica 11/0 DB1764 color so much, my next project is going to be a Peyote three-drop cuff using the DB551 and DB1764 in a diamond motif.  So stay tuned!   I've already got the pattern set and now I just need to start beading!  LOL

Happy Beading!

Betsy