Gail Nettles

Archive for the ‘Beading Tutorial’ Category

I've made a right angle weave video tutorial using earrings as the example.  While I also have a video that shows RAW (as it is also called) as a bracelet, these earrings are easier.  Well, faster at any rate!  In fact, this set is easy and fast enough to make a pair of earrings in about a half hour.

About Right Angle Weave

This is one of the hardest beading stitches to get the hang of, but then one of the easiest once you do!  I remember several years ago when I first tried it.  I sat down at the kitchen table with size 11 seed beads and swore that I would not get up until I got the hang of it.

A couple of hours later, the"ah hah!" moment arrived. I'm sure it would have been much faster if I had a video to watch.  So I decided to do a video that will introduce you to right angle weave with a pair of earrings.

You won't need a lot of supplies, and you can make them as long or as short as you want.  I've used larger size beads in this pair, but you can make them larger or smaller.  That's the great part about these earrings -- they are extremely versatile.

Right Angle Weave Earring Video Tutorial

Here are the supplies for this video.

• Czech druk beads, 6mm, 20 beads.
• Czech druk beads, 4mm, 12 beads.
• Size 11 seed beads, less than a gram.
• Earring findings.  I used sterling silver french wires.
• Thread; I used Fireline, but you can use Silamide or Nymo if you wish.
• Needle, size 10 or 12 (whichever you prefer).
• Pliers (used to open and close the loop on the earring findings).
• Scissors or other thread cutter.

If you've never done RAW before, watch the video all the way through before you make the earrings.  It's not terribly long -- not quite 10 minutes.  Then once you've done it all the way through, try it again by following along.

Hope you enjoy it! 

I adore the look of beaded cabochon jewelry.  I had done quite a bit of it some time ago, but things got in the way and I kept putting off and putting off getting back into it.  I mean, all you have to do is stare at Sherri Serafini's work and get intimidated (but she does absolutely gorgeous work).

I've been cleaning out my workspace, and I stumbled upon some cabs I bought, oh, I'll say 5 years ago and already glued to the backing...and that's where I stopped.

Then I found some lovely cabs I bought at a gem show maybe 4 years ago, and they have likewise been sitting around.  (I swear, sometimes I thought I could hear a faint "make me into jewelry" cry coming from that corner of my office...)

And let's not discuss all the dichroic cabs I bought maybe 3 years ago....

Are you sensing a pattern here? 

Back to Beaded Cabochons

Beaded Cabochon (Seashell)

I figured it was time that I actually do something.  So I've been beading up a storm!

Remember the seashells I gathered a couple months ago?  Well I've been going wild with them -- they are so much fun!  To the right is a necklace I made with one of the seashells.

(I've got a few more glued to backing, waiting their turn as well.)

Got a hot pink agate cab that I am working on, but am waiting for some more supplies to come in so I can finish it (I'll post a photo when I am done).

Naturally, one of the dichroic cabs is being worked on, while I am waiting on the supplies for the pink one.

Can-Can Cabochon

And here's another, done up in turquoise color.  I'm thinking the cab is howlite (dyed), but who knows what the bead nuggets are; all I know is that for the price I paid, they are definitely not geniune turquoise!

(If you're interested, I've got an ebook tutorial for making these necklaces.)

Cabs, Cabs and More Cabs

One of my favorite cabs I have ever bought, an ocean jasper, broke in my hands.  I got that one at a gem show, and I should have known to not get one that thin.  I still have some ideas for it, though, since it's so pretty!

And I have ordered more cabs from ebay, as I have an idea for a beaded cab bracelet (among other things).  When all of those cabs get in, I'll take some photos for you to see.

Well, guess I should quit writing and go get beading!  Catch you later with more photos.

I've got some new peyote bracelet tutorials for you!  One is free, and the other one has such a teensy price that it's almost free.

So without any further ado, how about some ebook tutorials, for your peyote-beading pleasure!

Peyote Bracelet Tutorials

"Exploring All Angles" Bracelet, in the Even Count Peyote Bracelets Tutorial

It doesn't matter if you have never seen the peyote bead stitch before, or if you are a dyed-in-the-wool peyote veteran.  Check out these two pages, each with an ebook tutorial:

Basics of Even Count Peyote:  Especially for anyone who either doesn't know how to bead the peyote stitch, or is a little rusty.  Not only do you learn how to do flat even-count peyote, but there is even a project called "Windows and Doors", which is a unique bracelet.  And the ebook is free!

Even Count Peyote Bracelets:  Now that you know how to peyote bead, here are six gorgeous bracelets for you to make.  You'll learn how to use some of the more unusually-shaped seed beads, as well as learn bead embroidery on peyote!  OK, it's not free, but it's ultra-reasonably priced, especially since it has 6 projects and tons of close-up photos!  (And available for immediate download, to boot.)

"Windows and Doors" Bracelet, from the Basics of Even Count Peyote Tutorial

They are over on my new site, Beaded Jewelry Diva, which I am dedicating to beading tutorials (both free and almost-free).

So come on over and see me there; I have lots more tutorials for you there, and I'm always adding new ones for your jewelry-making pleasure!

This freeform peyote bracelet took me longer than I expected, because I couldn't decide how I wanted it to end up! Between deciding colors, design and a clasp, I was running out of ideas.

Nevertheless, I did finish it. For additional embelishments I used size 11 silvered clear seed beads, in a random pattern around the bracelet. No particular design or idea, just where I though it might look interesting.

Freeform Peyote Bracelet, Completed

 

For the clasp, that was tough. I had originally thought button and loop; I did the loop then realized that I had no button!  Well, I had some in gold-tone that were perfect, but the gold didn't quite go with the rest of the bracelet.

Hmmm, rummaging around in my button bag, I found plenty that were too big or too small.  Drat.  Then I came across the dark blue button.  Right size, but a little dark.  Well, let me add some seed beads and try to lighten it up some.

And that actually turned out to be a good idea, because the button fits well against the bracelet; it's not so tall that it hurts when I put my armon the table and type.  Or write.  So it turned out well.

The Next Project - Retro

OK, I decided that I was going to do something that had a retro/vintage look about it, but with a little modern-day flair.  The decision?  A necklace with a large pendant.

I started off pretty well, with a moss jasper cabachon glued onto some Lacy's Stiff Stuff (I think that's what it's called).  OK, I confess; the cab has been glued onto the backing for...how many years?  Several, at any rate.

So, I added a ring around the base of the cab with white 3-cut size 15 seed beads.  Now I remember why I dislike working with size 15; they're so tiny!  But, I finally got them all put on.

Next was a ring of turquoise around the cab.  Kind of rough-looking turquoise, but it had the green-y color that picked up on the colors in the cab.  Done.

Retro Jewelry Necklace, Step 1

 

But it didn't look right yet.  Ahhh, I found a tube of silver seed beads, around a size 6.  Turquoise and silver go well together, so why not?  So I sewed some of the silver beads around and between the cab and the turquoise.  And that's where I'm at so far, as you can see.

Then I did something really silly, even for me.  Not thinking, I cut away the Stiff Stuff from the back of the cab.  Totally forgetting that I really needed to glue it to some suede before cutting.  Argh.

So now I have to slightly modify my original design before continuing, because I need to get a backing on and hide all the stitches.  But I have some ideas.

I'm off to find the glue, more Stiff Stuff, some suede and some jump rings.  The glue will take a few hours to set, so I'll have to continue tomorrow.

For today, I'll leave you with some lampwork auctions to look at and enjoy.  Have fun!

US $29.90 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 13:04:36 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $13.50 (2 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 12:58:53 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $14.09 (2 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 12:50:59 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $13.50 (2 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 12:40:13 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $14.09 (2 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 12:33:50 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $10.49 (2 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 12:22:22 PST Bid now | Add to watch list