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

3-Drop Peyote Rocailles Bracelet in three sizes

I finished this bracelet just in time to give it to my mother-in-law for her 80th Birthday on Mother's Day.  She loves it.  I'm so glad that I found out she did not like the wider cuff style before I finished that project!

For this project, I used three sizes of Miyuki Rocaille beads. The smallest is 15/0, then the matte beads are 11/0 and the tiniest of the three are the 15/0 Rocailles.  I experimented a bit before diving in on this project, to see the best way to reduce and increase the sizes of beads.

I used a button to create the clasp.

And I stitched the loop out of the smaller 15/0 Rocailles.  I actually did three rows of 3-drop Peyote to create the loop. This is what gave me the idea for the 3-drop anklet that I just finished.

I used the size 8/0 Rocailles beads as spacers for the button, so the loop fits easily over the button and the bracelet is secure when closed.

This bracelet is simple, yet elegant.  She said I got the measurement perfect, as though I had measured her wrist and made the bracelet custom, just for her.  Of course it was custom, I just went by memory for the sizing!

Now, I'm off to do some more Peyote with my favorite DB551 silver plated beads.....

Happy Beading!

Betsy

New Anklet

For my last project, I finished the bracelet using Rocailles, increasing and decreasing.  I used the technique I perfected and highlighted in my 5/11/10 post.  I did not have time to get a photo, since it was a gift for my mother-in-law, but I'll get one soon.  In doing the bracelet, I got an idea for an anklet.  I've been thinking that I want to weave an anklet, not just string beads.  Finishing the bracelet with the loop for the clasp gave me the inspiration for a 3-drop Peyote anklet.

So, I spent a lazy Sunday afternoon working on my new project.  The weather was great, so I sat with my Hubbie on the deck and beaded.  I love the new bead mat trays.  You can bead virtually anywhere with one of these!

I really like the new DB551 Delica beads from Miyuki.  They are silver plated and are "anti-tarnish".  They have a special coating to help prevent tarnishing.

Since the beads have a coating to help prevent tarnishing, I want a similar clasp, so I'll use this Platinum plated clasp.

I'm using 4 lb test FireLine and my favorite Big Eye Beading Needle.

My trusty dusty stop bead.  I like to use one that is bigger than the beads I'm using and one that stands out.

Here is the first row of beads.

I went with my favorite 3-drop Peyote.  Here is the 2nd row.

Here is the 3rd and final row.

Here is the final piece.  It is really stunning to see the silver beads woven into Peyote.  The beads catch the light perfectly and this is exactly what I envisioned when I began my project.  I can see a bracelet to match on the horizon!

Happy Beading!

Betsy

My New Loom

My daughter is a typical representation of the new generation, she loves anything electronic.  She insists on opening herself any new cell phone or other electronic device so that she can savor the moment and the new smell......

My weakness is anything beading.  You should have seen me when I got the new 1.8mm Miyuki Squares in, I was so excited, I couldn't wait to use some to stitch together with a 3-drop Peyote.  As an online bead retailer I have an advantage or you might say disadvantage over other beaders.  I get to see all the pretty beads, but then I WANT all the pretty beads for myself!  LOL!

I have permitted myself to get a new loom, however.  As far as I'm concerned this loom is the best model available on the market now.  This design also won the K. L. Wells 2009 Design Award.  The loom comes in several sizes, but I chose the No.12.  There is one even bigger, the No. 16!  Here are the specs for the No. 12:  

Overall Size:
24" x 12" x 6"
Working Area:
10 5/8" Wide, 20" Long
170 WarpsNet Weight:
3 lbs, 11 oz

Design includes the following ingenious features:
Effortless warp/thread lock system

Warp/thread adjustable tension knobs

Built in folding stand for horizontal use

Built in tray to catch your dropped beads

Magnetic needle storage when you need to take a break!  

Built in thread bobbin storage

When it arrived I could not wait to unpack it.  I even photographed the event for posterity. LOL!

The loom was very carefully packed and all ready to assemble.  Here is the top end.

Here is the bottom end.

Here is a nice note explaining how the sliding warp bar works.....

Here is a note explaining why the loom is not ship already assembled.  Screws included.

There was even a magnetic screw driver to ensure that I have everything I need to put this beauty together.

There a lot of really nice touches on this loom.  Here is the magnetic needle holder.  I'll never loose my needle again!

Here are the Nymo bobbin holders.  

Here is the thread lock - making it easier than ever to securely string this loom.

This is the best feature of all.  A sliding warp bar - which allows you to adjust the tension as you work.  Nymo tends to stretch, and this loom can stretch right along with it......

Another nice feature is the stand on the back.  This is also set so that when not needed, it is held securely with magnets.  Nice touch!

And finally the full view of the loom.  Now I just need to decide what beading project will christen this beauty!

Follow up answer for the question, "Is it hard to use?" ~ No it is not hard to use.  With the new features, especially the adjustable warp bar, I think this is a very easy loom to use.  The craftmanship is excellent.  For those reasons, these looms are the only ones that I sell on my website.

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Create your own pattern - Free Form Beading

Beading is an art form.  Using this medium you can create exquisite pieces of wearable art.  There is no "wrong" way to bead, just as there is no "wrong" way to paint or draw.  You should let your imagination go unchecked and see what you create.  Think outside the box and don't be afraid to experiment!  

I recently experimented with 3-drop Peyote and Rocailles.  Before now, I'd only done weaves and loom work with Delicas, so I wanted to expand my beading repertoire and I wanted to create my own piece.  I wanted to play around with three different sizes of Rocailles, increasing and decreasing as I moved from one size to the next size.  I started out with size 15/0 Rocailles and 12 beads in an even 3-drop Peyote stitch.

When I increased to the 11/0 Rocailles I first tried to do 1/2 of the row at a time, but still keeping the 3-drop similar bead grouping.  This is not the look I wanted, it is choppy.  So when I increased from 11/0 to 8/0, I tried to soften the transition a little more....

For this one - I broke up the 3-drop in the transition row to have only one of the larger beads, in the center of the 3-drop.  This is still too much of a transition from one row to the next.  So for the migration from 8/0 back down to 11/0, I tried to soften the transition even more.....

The first row of the transition has one of the three beads with the new size, in this case the reducing 11/0 bead.  Then the next row, I use only one of the larger 8/0 bead and two of the 11/0 beads, to further transition and it is a much smoother transition.

Here you can see how much smoother the transition from 11/0 to 15/0 and back to 11/0 is when I do the moderated transitions like this.  It is easier to see too, because the 11/0 beads are matte and the 15/0 are shiny.  Now that I've gotten my technique down, I'm ready to stitch a bracelet!  Stay tuned for the finished piece!

So don't be afraid to experiment.  Just pick the beads that you like and see what happens.  You might have an idea in your head of what you think might work, like I did.  But when you put it to the test, you realize that adjustments need to be made - and the finished piece will be even better than you imagined!  

Happy Beading!

Betsy