New pattern uploaded: Tuscan Drop Earrings

I was playing around with my Tuscan Earring design and found that these earrings looked even prettier with a drop. This pattern is fully illustrated with detailed step-by-step instructions for two drop versions: one with pearls in each corner (at right) and another with pearls in the center (at left). I used Swarovski #5500 9x6 pear drops but any drop bead will work.The Tuscan Drop Earrings pattern, $3.25, is available at my website, AroundTheBeadingTable.com and Bead-patterns.com:

New patterns uploaded

I just uploaded two new patterns: the Maya Earrings & Pendant, $2.50, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

and the Athena Earrings & Pendant, $2.50, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

New SuperDuo pattern: Athena Bracelet and Earrings

I just uploaded a new pattern to my website: the Athena Bracelet and Earrings, $5.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

 

It uses size 11 seed beads, 4mm fire-polished beads and the new two-hole SuperDuo beads that I have fallen in love with. I'm thinking that it may work with other 4mm beads but haven't tried it yet. Please let me know if you do!

New Crystal Patterns

I just uploaded two new crystal patterns to my website:

The Alexandra Bracelet, $4.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

An some matching Alexandra Earrings, $3.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

New Tila SuperDuo Color Combos

Betsy over at RedPandaBeads.com has beaded up my Tila SuperDuo Bands pattern in some great colors!

Here is Band 1 with burnt sienna Tila beads, green turquoise capri and ivory capri SuperDuo beads and size 11 bronze seed beads:

And here it is with mustard Tila beads, opaque yellow picasso and matte brass SuperDuo beads and size 11 bronze seed beads:

And here it is with copper Tila beads, matte copper and matte rose gold SuperDuo beads and size 11 duracoat muscat seed beads:

Beautiful!

New pattern: the Tila SuperDuo Bands

I just uploaded a new pattern to my website: the Twin SuperDuo Bands, $5.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

 A trio of bands made from seed beads, Tila beads and SuperDuo beads. The pattern is fully illustrated with detailed step-by-step instructions for each bracelet and includes a page of three blank charts of three different widths so you can design you own bands. Note: I used SuperDuo beads because they are much more uniform in size and slightly thicker than Twin beads. I did not try these bands using Twin beads but if you do and are successful, please send pictures!

New Pattern Uploaded: Twin Cube Wave Band

I just uploaded a new pattern to my website: the Twin Cube Wave Band, $4.50, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

This is a fatter version of my Tila Twin Wiggle Bracelet, using two colors of Preciosa Twin beads and 3mm cube beads instead of Tila beads.

A new pattern for sale, FREE pattern and some SuperDuo confusion

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Tila Flower Bands, $5.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com. Two bracelets made from seed beads, Tila beads and two-hole SuperDuo beads (top) or Twin beads (bottom):

And I also uploaded an easy bracelet made from seed beads, two-hole SuperDuo beads and Tila beads: Skinny SuperDuo Band (a PDF is available for download at the bottom of my Web site page):

Okay, so if you are wondering, "What the heck are SuperDuo beads?", here is what I have managed to figure out: 

• Twin beads and SuperDuo beads are often referred to as two-hole seed beads and they look almost exactly alike with a few exceptions. Twin beads, made by Czech company Preciosa Ornela, have the same oval shape but are often somewhat irregular in size. SuperDuo beads are pressed glass beads (i.e., made in a mold) so they are a bit thicker and much more uniform in size than Twin beads. 
• As of this writing, SuperDuo beads are rather hard to find and seem to come in two sizes: 2.5mm by 5mm and 2mm by 5mm. In some instances, SuperDuo beads can be used as substitute for Twin beads and vice versa, but sometimes not. It depends on the design. For this pattern, I used 2.5 by 5mm SuperDuo beads from RedPandaBeads.com. 
• Chris Franchetti Michaels of Beadwork.About.com has the best list of SuperDuo suppliers at: http://beadwork.about.com/od/BuyBeadsOnline/a/Superduo-Suppliers.htm
• Preciosa Ornela is coming out with, or has already come out with, their own "pressed glass" Twin bead, although I have not been able to find them.
• There may be several Czech companies making "SuperDuo" and "Super Duo" beads, which could account for the size difference. Dee's Place has a great article that provides a bit of the inside scoop: "The Great Czech Two-Hole bead Wars" by Doris Coghill.

Free pattern with Twin bead purchase

RedPandaBeads.com is now offering a free PDF copy of my Tila Twin Wiggle Bracelet pattern with each Twin bead purchase for customers registered on the Red Panda Bead website. For more info, click HERE or on the image below:

RedPandaBeads.com also has a vast selection of Tila and other Miyuki beads, as well as free shipping on all U.S. orders over $25.

New pattern for sale and a FREE pattern uploaded

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Twin Cube Bands, $5.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

Two bracelets made from seed beads, 3mm (top) and 4mm (bottom) cube beads and two colors of Preciosa Twin beads. The pattern is fully illustrated pattern with detailed step-by-step instructions.

And for those of you who aren't real sure about cubes and Twins, I uploaded a free Skinny Twin Cube Band (a PDF is available for download at the bottom of my Web site page):

Some wonderful new free patterns

It's been a while since I posted links to some free beading patterns out there on the internet. Here are some more—some new, some not new but newly discovered, all beautiful and created by some very talented and generous designers.

Easy Art Deco CzechMates Beaded Earrings by Chris Franchetti Michaels of Beadwork.about.com:

Simply Cameo by MyAmari of My-Amari.com:

...and Be Jeweled Earrings Tutorial by MyAmari of My-Amari.com:

 Silver Moon Earrings by Charlene Booth of cbbeads.com:

Louisa from rayher-hobby.de:

Earrings from Amybeads.blogspot.com:

New pattern uploaded: Tila Twin Wiggle Bracelet

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Tila Twin Wiggle Bracelet, $4.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

A wiggly bracelet made from seed beads, Miyuki Tila beads and two colors of Preciosa Twin beads—fully illustrated with detailed step-by-step instructions.

New pattern uploaded: Tila Twin Bands

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Tila Twin Bands, $6.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

A trio of bands made from seed beads, Miyuki Tila beads and Preciosa Twin beads. Wear just one or all at the same time:

New pattern uploaded: Tila Cuff

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Tila Cuff, $4.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

It's a wide Tila bracelet using right-angle weave:

New pattern: Tila Squared Bracelet and Earrings

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Tila Squared Bracelet and Earrings, $5.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

New pattern uploaded: the Steppin' Out Earrings

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Steppin' Out Earrings, $4.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

 

Once you create the bezel using the peyote stitch to hold the rivoli, the rest is a breeze. 

 

Seriously :)

New pattern uploaded: Garden Cuff

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Garden Cuff, $4.50, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

If you are ready for Spring, then this pattern is for you. It is a slightly wider and a bit more complex version of my Garden Bracelet, fully illustrated with detailed step-by-step instructions.

A few more lovely patterns

Fiesta Twin and Crystal Earrings from Chris Franchetti Michaels at Beadwork.About.com:

You can find more Twin bead patterns on the Preciosa Ornela website but it can be a bit tricky to find the download links. You have to click your way to the "Projects" section, and then on the right, click on "Simple Bracelets". The link to a PDF with these pretty bracelets is under the heading "Files & Links":

Tubular Herringbone Stitch Bracelet at Beadmavens.blogspot.com:

How to Cover a Bracelet Blank by Jodie Marshall at http://www.marshalljodie.blogspot.com.es:

... and the Stick Earring Tutorial by Jodie Marshall at http://www.marshalljodie.blogspot.com.es:

New pattern uploaded: Lacy Medallion

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Lacy Medallion, $4.00, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

Some beaders have asked for a medallion pattern using a BIG rivoli so here is a pattern for a size 18mm rivoli.

New pattern uploaded: Teardrop Earrings

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Teardrop Earrings, $2.25, also available at Bead-patterns.com:

New pattern uploaded: Lazy Moon Earrings

I just uploaded a new pattern to my Web site: the Lazy Moon Earrings, $4, also available at Bead-patterns.com.

These earrings are made by first creating a bezel using the peyote stitch to hold the rivoli. Next, use right angle weave and netting to add 3mm fire-polished beads, 2mm round beads (gemstone, glass pearl or fat 11/0 seed beads) and Delica beads around this rivoli base.

The pattern is fully illustrated with detailed step-by-step instructions for using size 12mm rivolis (pictured on left), with directions included for using smaller size 47ss (about 10.7mm, pictured on right) Swarovski #1122 (with flatter foiled backs similar to the 12mm rivoli) and 47ss Swarovski #1100 (pointy backs, currently discontinued but widely available as vintage rivolis). You can find them by searching on "Swarovski 47ss" at eBay, Etsy and Artfire, and at Dreamtimecreations.com:

Free Twin bead patterns

A while ago, a beader asked me if I had tried Preciosa Ornela's new Twin beads. I finally bought some and am anxious to play with them this weekend. These two-holed, oval glass beads measure about 2.5 by 5mm and come in a wide variety of colors. I bought mine from Kandra's Beads but they are now available at Beadaholique.com and Shipwreckbeads.com.

If you are on Facebook, you can find several free Twin bead tutorials by "liking" the Preciosa Ornela Facebook page, and then clicking on PROJECTS on the left where you'll find a great many PDFs available for download.

You can also find PDFs on the Preciosa Ornela website but it can be a bit tricky to find the download links. You have to click your way to the "Projects" section, scroll down and when you find the Project you like, click on "more" and the download PDF link is under the text, "Files & Links":

Here are some more wonderful FREE Twin bead patterns that I have run across on the web:

Gemini Bracelet by Jane Cruz at jewelrymakingmagazines.com:

Sasha Si's Preciosa TWIN Rivoli Pendant Tutorial:

Beadaholique.com's free 20 minute video on "How to Bead Weave a Twin Bead Bracelet Using a Circular Stitch":

Simone's Twin BB:

BeeJang's Clarissa:

New FREE tutorial uploaded

I just uploaded a new free tutorial—Creating a Peyote Bezel:

For those who have been scared to try this wonderful technique, step by step instructions are now up on my website. The link to a downloadable PDF is located at the bottom of the page.

New patterns uploaded

I finally uploaded some new patterns!

Caroline's Cuff, $4.00, also available at Bead-Patterns.com.
This pattern is a variation of the Christmas present I made for my Mum-in-law so I named it after her. Although I used 3mm and 4mm fire-polished beads, you can use any type of 3mm or 4mm beads you wish (fire-polished, crystal, gemstone, pearl) as long as the bead size is 3mm and 4mm where called for.

Bistro Bracelet, $4.00, also available at Bead-Pattterns.com. It matches the Bistro Earrings & Pendant.

Sabine Lippert's Les Fleurs Necklace

I have to say, I just can't wait for Sabine Lippert's new book, Sabine Lippert's Beaded Fantasies: 30 Romantic Jewelry Projects (Beadweaving Master Class Series). Unfortunately, it won't be out til next May but publisher Larkcrafts.com has a free sneak preview and downloadable PDF of her Les Fleurs Necklace:

Just click within the text where is says "Click here to download a PDF of the project Les Fleurs Necklace from Sabine Lippert’s Beaded Fantasies" in the fourth paragraph. Not only do you get a PDF of the pattern but a full Table of Contents for the book and it is surely to be a wonderful treasure. What a beautful collection! You can find more of Sabine's patterns at her website, Trytobead.com.

Diane Fitzgerald's Midnight Snowflakes Necklace

Diane Fitzgerald's new book, Diane Fitzgerald's Favorite Beading Projects: Designs from Stringing to Beadweaving, won't be out til next March but publisher Larkcrafts.com has a free sneak preview and downloadable PDF of the Midnight Snowflakes Necklace:

Just click within the text where is says "Click here for a PDF of Midnight Snowflakes," in the second paragraph.