Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Snowflake #34 Ornament pattern

One of my favorite things to bead are Snowflakes. When ever I am stressed, and need something relaxing to do, I make snowflakes. They work up fast and sparkle when held up to the light. If you use crystals and put your snowflake in the windows you will get rainbows on your walls. I try to make each one different just like real snowflakes. No two snowflakes are alike. 

















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S = Miyuki 11/0 seed, 248 beads

 R = Round

The snowflakes are done in Rounds. Each Round begins at the red dot in drawing


 Start by waxing and stretching your thread. Use Fireline, Nymo D or C-Lon and an #11 or #12 beading needle.  Tie in a “stopper” bead, leaving about a 8-10” tail and begin at step #1. I like using Fireline® fishing line, 4lb and 6lb Crystal for bead weaving.




Round 1
Pick up 6S, make a circle and go with thread through the 1st S bead just added. Continue with working thread around through all 6 beads again, plus go through the 1st bead again. Circle of 6 made, (C6).
 











Round 2

 a) Pick up 12S, go with thread down through the 5th through 1st S beads just added in this step and forward (right to left) through the next S bead in C6.
 b) Repeat (a), around 5 more times
 c) Continue with working thread forward through the 1st through 8th S beads in the first repeat of (a) this Round.


Round 3
a) Pick up 3S, go with thread down through the 10th, 11th, and 12th S beads, R2a.
b) Pick up 5S, go with thread up through the 6th, 7th and 8th S beads in the next repeat of (a), R2.
c) Repeat (a and b) around 5 more times.
d) Continue with working thread up through the 1st S bead in the first repeat of (a) this Round.
Round 4
a) Pick up 5S, go with thread down through the 3rd S bead, R3a, the 10th and 11th S beads, R2a.
b) Pick up 6S, go with thread up through the 7th and 8th S beads in the next repeat of (a), R2, and the 1st S bead, R3a.
c) Repeat (a and b) around 5 more times.
d) Continue with working thread forward through the 1st and 2nd S beads in the first repeat of (a) this Round.
Round 5
a) Pick up 3S, go with thread down through the 4th and 5th S beads, R4a.
b) Pick up 3S, go with thread left to right through the 3rd and 4th S beads, R4b.
c) Pick up 3S, go with thread up thrugh the 1st and 2nd S beads in the next repeat of (a), R4.
d) Repeat (a, b and c) around 5 more times.
e) Weave the working thread into the snowflake and end.
Making Hangers for your Snowflake
1. Make it with beads, make a loop with as many beads as you would like,
2. or use a piece of fishing line, making it invisible with mono-filament,
3. or a piece of pretty ribbon. Add ribbon after your snowflake is stiffened.

Finishing
After the snowflake is complete, you can stiffen it with SC Johnson Floor Finish (Sc Johnson #11182 27oz Pledge Futureshine). It is a great stiffener, it stays clear even on the crystals. Test it first if you use seed beads with dyed colors to make sure the floor finish doesn’t remove the colors.

Pour enough of the finish into a small container that is wide enough for the ornament. Float the ornament into the Future and push it around a bit with your finger.
(After I am done with the floor finish, I use a funnel and pour the extra back into the bottle)

Take the ornament out and blot both sides with a paper towel.

Put the ornament on a piece of wax paper, shape and flatten it and let it remain on the wax paper to dry. (If you use plastic-wrap, the beads can stick a bit to the wrap, so it needs to be moved around a bit to prevent this from happening.) If your ornament needs a little extra flattening, use two pieces of wax paper and sandwich your ornament in between; put a book on top of the wax paper for about an hour. Take the book and the top piece of wax paper off the ornament and let dry overnight on the bottom piece of wax paper.

Sandra D. Halpenny © 2007 - 2013 All rights reserved,
This pattern may not be copied in any way without the express written permission of the author.

 
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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Stained Glass Beaded Peyote Bracelet

"Often the simple designs are the best. At least that’s what I think. One of my favorite patterns to bead is Sandra D. Halpenny’s Stained Glass Bracelet pattern. I made these two with regular old seed beads, and I’m beading one up now using Delica beads. For these two bracelets I used a matte black bead for the “frame” and transparent blue and purple beads with an AB (Aurora Borealis) coating. It’s a shame it gets washed out a little in the scan. In person these bracelets have a kind of depth to them, almost as if you could look into the glass." Posted by Kath on her blog

This Stained Glass bracelet pattern is worked in odd count Peyote.


For the stained glass I used a Delica Mix

Close up of repeat




Sandra D. Halpenny © 2007 - 2013
All rights reserved,
This pattern may not be copied in any way without the express written permission of the author.


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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Lace Lanterns Necklace Pattern


The Lace Lanterns Necklace Pattern is a new pattern that hasn't been released before. I really like the lantern beads but because they feel large and heavy, I don't always know how to use them. This pretty necklace can be worked up fast and with the lantern beads it really sparkles. If you don't have the Lantern beads you can use any 6mm crystals. Hope you enjoy making the necklace for yourself.




A = Miyuki11/0 seed beads
B = 4mm Czech Fire-polished crystals
C = 6mm Czech Lantern beads

(also called, Czech Cathedral dome beads)
 



Start by waxing and stretching your thread, use Nymo D, C-Lon or Fireline and a #11 or #12 beading needle. Tie in a “stopper” bead, leaving about an 8” tail and begin at step #1.
1. Pick up 1B, 3A, 1C, 7A, 1C, 3A, go with thread up through the 1st B bead just added.










2. Pick up 3A, 1B, 3A, go with thread down through the 2nd C bead, step #1.
3. Pick up 7A, 1C, 3A, go with thread up through the B bead, step #2.
4.  a) Pick up 3A, 1B, 3A, go with thread down through the C bead, step #3. 
 b)
Pick up 7A, 1C, 3A, go with thread up through the B bead, added in this step at (a).
5. Continue necklace by repeating steps #4a and #4b until you reach the length that you would like. To add clasp, pick up 3A, clasp, 3A, go with thread up through 1 B bead in necklace. Continue with thread around through the clasp beads several times for strength. Go with working thread down through the beads on the right side of necklace coming out with thread right to left through the 5th A bead added in the last repeat of step #4b.
6. Pick up 7A, go with thread right to left through the 5th and 4th A beads added in a repeat of step #4b.

7. a) Pick up 10A, go with thread forward through the 7th A bead just added.
 b)
Pick up 3A, go with thread up through the 3rd, 4th and 5th A beads, step #6, right to left through the 4th and 3rd A beads, step #4b.



8. a) Pick up 4A, go with thread up through the 3rd, 4th and 5th A beads, step #7a, right to left through the 3rd A bead, step #4b, and down through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd A beads just added in this step.
 b)
Pick up 5A, skip over 1 repeat of step #4b and go with thread right to left through the 5th A bead, step #4b next repeat left as shown.
 



9.  a) Pick up 4A, go with thread up through the 3rd, 4th and 5th A beads, step #8b, and right to left through the 5th and 4th A beads, step #4b.
 b)
Pick up 10A, go with thread forward through the 7th A bead just added.
 c)
Pick up 3A, go with thread up through the 3rd, 2nd and 1st A beads, added in this step at (a), right to left through the 4th and 3rd A beads, step #4b.
 d) Pick up 4A, go with thread up through the 3rd, 4th and 5th A beads, added in this step at (b), right to left through the 3rd A bead, step #4b, and down through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd A beads just added in this step.
 

10. Continue necklace by repeating steps #8b through #10d to the other end. Add clasp in the same manner as step #5. Weave the working thread into the necklace and end.

Sandra D. Halpenny © 2013 - 2018 All rights reserved,
This pattern may not be copied in any way without the express written permission of the author.

 
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Below are some more patterns using the Czech Fire-polished Lantern beads (also called
Czech Cathedral dome beads)

Octagonal & Bugle Bead Necklace Pattern


Triangle Bugle Necklace Pattern


Party Time Necklace Pattern

Monday, September 16, 2013

Round Lace Bracelet Pattern

The Round Lace Bracelet Pattern is one of my favorite free bead patterns. The bracelet pattern has been used many ways. You can even add a crystal in the middle. At the end of this pattern I have added several Customer images to show how creative they are and you can see how many ways it has been used. Hope you enjoy making this cute fun bracelet.

February 20, 2015, I have done an updated version of this bracelet which is faster and easier to do with the same look. You can find it here.





A

Start by waxing and stretching your thread, use Nymo D or C-Lon & a #11 or #12 beading needle. Tie in a “stopper” bead, leaving about an 8” tail and begin at step #1. *Fireline 4 or 6lb. crystal fishing line also works great for bead weaving.
 
A = Miyuki 11/0 seed bead



1.
Pick up 14A.  Go with thread up through the 1st through 8th A beads added in this step.



2.
Pick up 11A. Go with thread down through the 8th, 9th, 10th & 11th A beads added in step A.

 

3. Pick up 4A. Go with thread around thread between the 1st & 2nd A beads added in step #2 or step #9. Continue with thread down through the 4th, 3rd & 2nd A beads added in this step.



4.  (a) Pick up 4A.  Go with thread around thread between the 2nd & 3rd A beads added in step #2 or Step #9. Continue with thread down through the 4th, 3rd & 2nd A beads added in this step.  
(b) Pick up 8A. Go with thread around thread between the 3rd & 4th A beads added in step #2 or step #9.  Continue with thread down through the 8th, 7th & 6th A beads added in this step.   
(c) Pick up 4A.  Go with thread around thread between the 4th & 5th A beads added in step #2 or step #9.  Continue with thread down through the 4th, 3rd & 2nd A beads added this step.   
 (d) Pick up 4A.  Go with thread up through the 6th A bead added in step #2 or step #9.
5. Pick up 7A. Go with thread around thread between the 7th & 8th A beads added in step #2 or step #9. Continue with thread up through the 7th, 6th & 5th A beads added this step
6.  (a) Pick up 4A.  Go with thread around thread between the 8th & 9th A beads added in step #2 or step #9.  Continue with thread up through the 4th, 3rd & 2nd A beads added this step.  (b) Pick up 8A.  Go with thread around thread between the 9th & 10th A beads added in step #2 or step #9.  Continue with thread up through the 8th, 7th & 6th A beads added in this step.  (c) Pick up 4A.  Go with thread around thread between the 10th & 11th A beads added in step #2 or step #9. Continue with thread up through the 4th, 3rd and 2nd A beads added in this step.


7. Pick up 1A. Go with thread down through the 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th A beads added in step #1 (first time) or the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th A beads added in step #8 (every time after).  Continue with thread through the 1st through 6th A beads added in step #2 or Step #9, continue with thread up through the 1st, 2nd & 3rd A beads added in step #5.
8.  Pick up 7A.  Go with thread up through the 2nd, 3rd & 4th A beads added in step #4(d), the 6th A bead added in step #2 or step #9.  Continue with thread forward through the 1st, 2nd & 3rd A beads added in step #5 and the 1st, 2nd,  3rd & 4th A beads added in this step.
9.  Pick up 11A.  Go with thread down through the 4th through 7th A bead added in step #8.  Continue with thread through the 2nd, 3rd & 4th A beads added in step #4(d), the 6th A bead added in step #2 or step #9, the 1st, 2nd & 3rd A beads added in step #5 and forward through the 7 A beads added in step #8.
10. Continue bracelet by repeating steps #3 through #9 until you reach the length that you want ending at step #8. 

11.
To add a clasp pick up 3A, clasp, 3A go with thread through the 4th A bead added step #8 and continue back through all 3 A beads, clasp & 3 A beads just added in this step and back through 4th A bead added in step #8.  Weave in threads.  Remove stopper bead at other end and repeat clasp steps.


Round Lace Bracelet FREE Pattern
 http://www.SandraDHalpenny.com
Sandra D. Halpenny 2002-2017 All rights reserved
This pattern may not be copied or distributed in any way without the express written permission of the author. The purchaser of this pattern may use the finished piece for personal use and for selling at arts and crafts shows, etc. No mass production of this design is permitted without permission from the author.


Click here for more patterns

Teal Lace Bracelet Pattern

 

Layered Triangles Bracelet Pattern 

 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Thread your beading needle - Learn How

Hint: Pinch the thread between you thumb and finger, then bring the thread to the needle hole. Beading needle holes are very small, so it takes a bit of patience when you first start to thread them.


Whether using thread or fishing line, for ease in threading the beading needle use
a permanent marker and touch the tip of the thread. The marker makes the end of the thread more visible and it also stiffens the end of the thread so that it goes more easily into the needle hole.


Threading your beading needle

http://www.SandraDHalpenny.com

Sandra D. Halpenny © 2007 - 2013 All rights reserved,
This pattern may not be copied in any way without the express written permission of the author.


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Beading and Designing Bracelets - E BOOK download only

Cubes and More Bracelet Pattern

Lacy Bugles and Cubes Bracelet Pattern  

Tennis Crystals and Beads Bracelet Pattern

I saw a bracelet similar to this on a lady at our local bead society meeting. I kept admiring it and finally asked where she got the pattern. She had said she got it from the Beads Baubles and Jewels http://www.pbs.org/ web site. They had a tennis bracelet, but it was 2 rows wide and made with seed beads. On my Tennis Bracelet I did 1 row wide and changed the center beads to 3 beads wide instead of 2 beads. It works up fast and it looks like a real tennis bracelet. Sparkles like crazy!
A = Miyuki, 11° Delica beads
B = 4mm Crystals

Start by waxing and stretching your thread, use Nymo D or C-Lon & a #11 or #12 beading needle. I used Fireline 6lb. crystal.  Tie in a "stopper" bead, leaving about an 12" tail and begin at step #1.
 
1. Pick up 10A, go with thread forward through the first 5 A beads just added.
2. Pick up 1B, go with thread, left to right through the 10th & 9th and up through the 8th, 7th and 6th A beads added in step #1.
3. Pick up 7A, go with thread up through 3 A beads added in the previous steps and forward through the 1st and 2nd A beads just added in this step.
4. Pick up 1B, go with thread left to right through the 7th & 6th A beads and up through the 5th, 4th and 3rd A beads added in the last step.
5. Continue bracelet by repeating steps #3 and #4 until you reach the length that you want the bracelet to be.
6. After adding the clasp, I went through the 3 center A beads and the crystals again for security of holding the crystals on. After the bracelet is complete, twist it so it lays flat.



Tennis Bracelet Free Pattern, http://www.SandraDHalpenny.com
Sandra D. Halpenny 2007-2016 All rights reserved
This pattern may not be copied or distributed in any way without the express written permission of the author. The purchaser of this pattern may use the finished piece for personal use and for selling at arts and crafts shows, etc. No mass production of this design is permitted without permission from the author.






Click here for more patterns














Circle of Twins Bracelet Pattern

Crystal Garden Bracelet Pattern

Teal Lace Bracelet Pattern