New FREE pattern: DiamonDuo Star!

DiamonDuo Star

©2016 Deborah Roberti

This pattern can be used to make a pendant or ornament.

NEW!
Although originally created for DiamonDuo beads (top photos), this design also works great with GemDuo beads (photo below). However, because the GemDuo beads are slightly different in size, I recommend that you use size 8/0 seed beads or 3mm round beads instead of Color2 size 11/0 seed beads at the tip of each star point:

 

 

MATERIALS

• 4 feet of 6 lb. FireLine
• 72 Color1 size 11/0 seed beads*
• 6 Color2 size 11/0 seed beads* (Or more Color1 11/0 seed beads. If your size 11/0 seed beads are smaller than the norm or you want more pronounced pointy tips, use size 8/0 seed beads. If you are using GemDuo beads instead of DiamonDuo beads, size 8/0 seed beads or 3mm round beads work best.)
• 6 size 8/0 seed beads
• 6 Color1 DiamonDuo beads (or GemDuo beads)
• 12 Color2 DiamonDuo beads (or GemDuo beads)
• 6 Color3 DiamonDuo beads (or GemDuo beads)
• a 4-6mm closed jump ring
• a chain (for the pendant) or a hook (for the ornament)

* Toho brand size 11/0 seed beads work best for this pattern because they are fatter.

Step 1: Thread your needle with four feet of FireLine.

Leave about a 5-inch tail that you can weave in and make disappear at any time (the sooner you do this, the better) and string six Color1 DiamonDuo beads.

Tie the beads together in a circle with a tight double knot, forming a ring six of DiamonDuo beads:

Step 2: Go back around through this ring of six DiamonDuo beads, grab your tail thread and tie another tight knot:

Step 3: Go back through the DiamonDuo bead next to the knot (highlighted in RED):

Step 4: Go around and through the outside hole of the Color1 DiamonDuo bead that you exited at the end of the last step (highlighted in RED):

Step 5: String two Color2 DiamonDuo Beads and go through the outside hole of the Color1 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 6: String two Color2 DiamonDuo Beads and go through the outside hole of the Color1 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 7: Repeat the last step four times:

Step 8: Go back around through the inside holes of the Color2 DiamonDuo beads and the outside holes of the Color1 DiamonDuo beads:

Step 9: Go through the inside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED and then around and through the outside hole of this same Color2 DiamonDuo bead:

Step 10: String a Color3 DiamonDuo bead and go through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 11: String a Color1 11/0 seed bead, an 8/0 seed bead and a Color1 11/0 seed bead. Go through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 12: String a Color3 DiamonDuo bead and go through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 13: String a Color1 11/0 seed bead, an 8/0 seed bead and a Color1 11/0 seed bead. Go through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 14: String a Color3 DiamonDuo bead and go through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 15: String a Color1 11/0 seed bead, an 8/0 seed bead and a Color1 11/0 seed bead. Go through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 16: Repeat Step 14 and Step 15 three times:

Step 17: Go through the inside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo bead, the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo bead, the Color1 11/0 seed bead, the 8/0 seed bead and the Color1 11/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 18: String three Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 19: String three Color1 11/0 seed bead. Go through the Color1 11/0 seed bead, the 8/0 seed bead and the Color1 11/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 20: String three Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 21: String three Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the Color1 11/0 seed bead, the 8/0 seed bead and the Color1 11/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 22: String three Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED.

String three more Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the Color1 11/0 seed bead, the 8/0 seed bead and the Color1 11/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 23: String three Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED.

String three more Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the Color1 11/0 seed bead, the 8/0 seed bead and the Color1 11/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 24: String three Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED.

String three more Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the Color1 11/0 seed bead, the 8/0 seed bead and the Color1 11/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 25: String three Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo bead highlighted in RED.

String three more Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the Color1 11/0 seed bead, the 8/0 seed bead and the Color1 11/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 26: Go through the three Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 27: String two Color1 11/0 seed beads, a Color2 11/0 seed bead and two more Color1 11/0 seed beads.

Go around the Color3 DiamonDuo bead and through the four Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the next four Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

NOTE: As I mentioned in the Materials list, instead of Color2 11/0 seed beads, you can use more Color1 11/0 seed beads or if you want more pronounced pointy tips, use 8/0 seed beads instead of Color2 11/0 seed beads. If you are using GemDuo beads instead of DiamonDuo beads, size 8/0 seed beads or 3mm round beads work best.

Step 28: String two Color1 11/0 seed beads, a Color2 11/0 seed bead and two more Color1 11/0 seed beads.

Go around the Color3 DiamonDuo bead and through the four Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the next four Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 29: String two Color1 11/0 seed beads and a Color2 11/0 seed bead.

Go through a jump ring and then back down through the Color2 11/0 seed bead that you just added:

Step 30: String two Color1 11/0 seed beads. Go through the four Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the next four Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 31: String two Color1 11/0 seed beads, a Color2 11/0 seed bead and two more Color1 11/0 seed beads.

Go around the Color3 DiamonDuo bead and through the four Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the next four Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 32: String two Color1 11/0 seed beads, a Color2 11/0 seed bead and two more Color1 11/0 seed beads.

Go around the Color3 DiamonDuo bead and through the four Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the next four Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 33: String two Color1 11/0 seed beads, a Color2 11/0 seed bead and two more Color1 11/0 seed beads.

Go around the Color3 DiamonDuo bead and through the four Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the next four Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 34: Skip the next Color2 11/0 seed bead and go up through six Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the six Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED.

Pull tight and as you do, the skipped Color2 11/0 seed bead should pop out and give you more of a pointy tip:

NOTE: If you prefer, you can just go through the Color2 11/0 seed bead instead of skipping it. Depending on the size of your 11/0 seed beads, this may be your only option.

Step 35: Skip the next Color2 11/0 seed bead and go up through six Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the six Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED, pulling tight so that the skipped Color2 11/0 seed bead pops out to create a pointy tip:

Step 36: Go through the Color2 11/0 seed bead, through your jump ring and then back down through this same Color2 11/0 seed bead. Continue on down through the six Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the next six Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 37: Skip the next Color2 11/0 seed bead and go down through six Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the six Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED, pulling tight so that the skipped Color2 11/0 seed bead pops out to create a pointy tip:

Step 38: Skip the next Color2 11/0 seed bead and go down through six Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the six Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED, pulling tight so that the skipped Color2 11/0 seed bead pops out to create a pointy tip:

Step 39: Skip the next Color2 11/0 seed bead and go down through six Color1 11/0 seed beads, the 8/0 seed bead and the six Color1 11/0 seed beads highlighted in RED, pulling tight so that the skipped Color2 11/0 seed bead pops out to create a pointy tip:

Step 40: Go around through the beads highlighted in RED and your jump ring:

Weave your way back into the star, knot and cut your thread. 

Attach the jump ring to a hook for an ornament or slip a chain through the jump ring for a pendant. 

If you want to make your star more stiff, dip it into some floor polish and let it dry overnight on wax paper. Sandra Halpenny has instructions at the end of one of her free snowflake patterns here:
https://sandrahalpennybeading.blogspot.com/2015/10/snowflakes-falling-ornament-pattern.html

You can mix up the DiamonDuo colors and create different star patterns. Here are some examples and a blank star so you can create your own:

Free crystal pattern: Fiesta Bracelet & Earrings!

Fiesta Bracelet & Earrings

(©2006 Deborah Roberti)

  

MATERIALS (for a 7-inch bracelet, not including clasp)
• 4 yards waxed Nymo or C-Lon thread, size D, or 6 lb. FireLine
• About 350 size 11/0 seed beads
• About 50 4mm orange bicone crystals (I used Swarovski Topaz AB bicone crystals)
• About 50 4mm red bicone crystals (I used Swarovski Red Magma bicone crystals)
• About 36 4mm green bicone crystals (I used Swarovski Khaki bicone crystals)
• clasp
NOTE: I used orange, red and green bicone crystal beads but any size 4mm beads in any color will work just great.

Step 1: Thread your needle with 4 yards Nymo, C-Lon or Fireline (or start with a length that you feel comfortable with and add more later).

String an orange crystal, a seed bead, a green crystal, a seed bead, a red crystal, a seed bead, a green crystal and a seed bead.

Leaving about an 8-inch tail for attaching the clasp, tie the beads together into a circle:

Step 2: Go back through the orange crystal, the seed bead, the green crystal and the seed bead:

Step 3: String a green crystal, a seed bead, an orange crystal, a seed bead, a red crystal, a seed bead and an orange crystal.

Go around and back down through the seed bead that you exited at the end of the last step:

Step 4: Go down through the red crystal:

Step 5: String a seed bead, an orange crystal and a seed bead. Go around and up through the green crystal and through the seed bead that you exited at the end of Step 2 (both highlighted in RED):

Step 6: Continue on through the top green crystal:

Step 7: String a seed bead, a red crystal and a seed bead. Go around and down through the orange crystal and the seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 8: Continue on around through the green crystal, the seed bead, the orange crystal and the seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 9: String five seed beads.

Go around and back up through the seed bead that you exited at the end of the last step (highlighted in RED), forming a circle of six seed beads:

Step 10: Go through the next seed bead on the circle of six seed beads (highlighted in RED):

Step 11: String a green crystal, a seed bead, an orange crystal and a seed bead.

Go around and down through the red crystal and continue on through the seed bead on the circle of six seed beads that you exited at the end of the last step (both highlighted in RED):

Step 12: Go through the next seed bead on the circle of six seed beads (highlighted in RED):

Step 13: String an orange crystal, a seed bead, a red crystal and a seed bead.

Go around and down through the green crystal and continue on through the seed bead on the circle of six seed beads that you exited at the end of the last step (both highlighted in RED):

Step 14: Go through the next seed bead on the circle of six seed beads (highlighted in RED):

Step 15: String a red crystal, a seed bead, a red crystal, a seed bead, a green crystal and a seed bead.

Go around and back through the orange crystal and continue on through the seed bead on the circle of six seed beads that you exited at the end of the last step (both highlighted in RED):

For extra reinforcement, go back around through the beads highlighted in RED:

Step 16: Go through the next seed bead on the circle of six seed beads (highlighted in RED):

Step 17: String a green crystal, a seed bead, an orange crystal and a seed bead.

Go around and up through the red crystal and seed bead on the circle of six seed beads that you exited at the end of the last step (highlighted in RED):

Step 18: Go through the next seed bead on the circle of six seed beads and then down through the orange crystal highlighted in RED:

Step 19: String a seed bead, a red crystal and a seed bead. Go up through the green crystal highlighted in RED:

Step 20: Follow this path (all highlighted in RED) so that you exit out of the right-most seed bead: Go through the two seed beads on the circle of six seed beads, the orange crystal, the seed bead, the green crystal and the seed bead:

Step 21: String a green crystal, a seed bead, an orange crystal, a seed bead, a red crystal, a seed bead and an orange crystal.

Go around and back down through the seed bead that you exited at the end of the last step (highlighted in RED):

For extra reinforcement, go back around through the beads highlighted in RED:

Step 22: Go down through the red crystal:

Step 23: String a seed bead, an orange crystal and a seed bead.

Go around and up through the green crystal, the seed bead and the orange crystal highlighted in RED:

Step 24: String a seed bead, a red crystal and a seed bead.

Go around and down through green crystal, the seed bead and the green crystal highlighted in RED:

Step 25: Continue up through the seed bead, the orange crystal and the seed bead highlighted in RED:

Repeat Steps 9 to 25 until your bracelet is the length you want it, minus about a quarter-inch and the length of your clasp.

Step 26: To attach one end of the clasp, string three seed beads.

Go through the clasp and then back through the third seed bead that you just strung:

Step 27: String two more seed beads and go back up through the seed bead you exited at the end of Step 25 (highlighted in RED):

Go back around through the seed beads and the clasp several times to reinforce your attachment to the clasp.

Weave your way back into the bracelet, knot in several places and then cut your thread.

To attach the clasp to the other end of the bracelet, simply thread your needle with the tail thread from Step 1, go through the seed bead next to the knot and repeat Steps 26 and 27.

Fiesta Earrings

MATERIALS
• 2 yards waxed Nymo or C-Lon, size D, or 6 lb FireLine, for each earring
• About 100 size 11/0 seeds beads
• Approximately 20 4mm orange bicone crystals (I used topaz Swarovski crystals)
• Approximately 20 4mm red bicone crystals (I used Indian red Swarovski crystals)
• Approximately 12 4mm green bicone crystals (I used khaki Swarovski crystals)
• Two 3mm closed jump rings
• A pair of earring findings

To make the matching earrings, repeat Steps 1 to 25 but start with just a yard of thread and leave a 6-inch tail.

Next, repeat Steps 26 and 27, but instead of attaching a clasp, attach a 3mm closed jump ring. (Note, you can attach the beaded earring directly to the earring post or wire but I find that there’s a greater chance for the earring to slip off so I use a closed jump ring.)

Next, just attach the earring (via the closed jump ring) to your earring post or wire.

To finish the bottom of the earring, thread your needle with the tail thread from Step 1.

Go through the seed bead next to the knot. String 3 seed beads and go around and back through the seed bead that you just exited:

Weave your way back into the earring. Knot in several places and then cut your thread.

New DiamonDuo pattern!

Starflower Bracelet 

$4 at AroundTheBeadingTable.com

This DiamonDuo bracelet is created by beading six (or more) separate Starflower motifs, which you then join using tail threads and beads. The motif would also make a nice pendant. More detail and photos on my website here: http://www.aroundthebeadingtable.com/Patterns/Starflower.html

How to make Rose Quartz POP!

Week 7 of the RedPandaBeads.com 2016 Spring Fashion Colors Series features the color Rose Quartz—a real wishy-washy color, in my opinion. I was wondering how Betsy was going to make this color pop and WOW, did she ever! My Rosaline Gold Bracelet and Printemps Earring patterns never looked so hot! Click HERE or on the photo above for exact beads used and links to these free patterns.

Need a burst of sunshine!

Week 6 of the RedPandaBeads.com 2016 Spring Fashion Colors Series features the color Buttercup, which Betsy has used to bead up my Twin Peaks Bracelet and Earrings pattern. Click HERE or on the photo below for exact beads used and links to this free pattern:

The hottest new bead in town: DiamonDuo!

One of the latest new Czech two-hole beads is the DiamonDuo bead, manufactured and distributed by Bead Master. These two-hole, diamond-shaped beads measure about 5mm by 8mm and come in 65 colors… if you can find them! They seem to sell out almost immediately.

I got my DiamonDuo batch from Betsy at RedPandaBeads.com a couple weeks ago and they sold out within a couple hours. She’s got a new batch in today—a restock of most existing colors and 21 new colors, available for sale, click HERE or on the photo below:

There aren’t really that many patterns out yet for the DiamonDuo beads but Bead Master has a few free ones on their website, click HERE. The sweetest, I think, is the Desert Blossom:

Linda Genaw has a spectacular free pattern up on her blog called the Arabella Earrings that uses DiamonDuo beads and size 15/0, 11/0 and 8/0 seed beads, click HERE or on the photo below. I made some using Turquoise Bronze DiamondDuo beads and Miyuki  #4204 Duracoat Champagne rocaille seed beads in all three sizes:

While rebeading a couple of my existing patterns to see if DiamonDuo beads could be subbed in for other Czech two-hole beads, I fell in love with the color combination of the Pastel Bordeaux and bronze that I used to bead up a new Trestle Band (click HERE or on the image below for the exact beads used listed at the bottom of the pattern page):

…and my Roundabout Bracelet looks entirely different and just fantastic using those Turquoise Bronze DiamonDuo beads  (click HERE or on the image below for the exact beads used listed at the bottom of the pattern page):

These beads are a blast!