New Tutorial: It Takes Two (Different Types of Triangle Beads) to Tango

My newest tutorial is now available on Etsy:

It Takes Two (Different Types of Triangle Beads) to Tango, a beadweaving tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs

This pattern calls for several different 2-hole beads: 6mm 2-hole triangles, Tangos, 6mm pyramid studs, and SuperDuos, plus 3mm Firepolish, and various seed bead sizes.

The 21-page tutorial is loaded with pictures and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and diagrams.

It Takes Two to Tango, by Sweet Freedom Designs

Instructions are given for 3 different variations of the bracelet:

3 different bracelet variations: It Takes Two to Tango, by Sweet Freedom Designs

and several earring variations:

Some of the many earring variations possible with It Takes Two to Tango, by Sweet Freedom Designs

Five different colorways are also shown.

I consider this an intermediate to advance tutorial, but if you have experience reading beadweaving patterns, you will be able to create these designs.

I hope you enjoy it!

Well Traveled: A Beadweaving Tutorial for Superduos and Czech 2-hole Tiles

Drumroll, please.....

While I was without a camera for 3 months, I busied myself with my Superduos, and managed to create an original design using the Superduos and Czech 2-hole tiles. After stitching a number of the bracelets, then teaching it to a couple of willing students, I holed myself up with my computer, and set about to create a .pdf tutorial ... which I am quite pleased with!

Well Traveled, a tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs

In addition to the 10-page, full color tutorial, full of diagrams, photos, and step-by-step instructions, I also have put together kits for 8 different colorways. The kits contain BEADS ONLY - no needles, Fireline, or clasp, although if you contact me through my Etsy shop (where the kits are available) I will be happy to choose a clasp for you for a small additional charge.

The tutorial is available in my Etsy shop, as are the kits. I hope you'll take a look!

Tila and Superduo Bracelet

Today, at the bead shop, some customers and I worked on this fun Tila and Superduo bracelet, which is featured on pg. 80 of the October Issue of Bead & Button:

Tilas and Superduos

Tilas and Superduos

 I chose blue superduos (Blue Luster) and paired them with Jet AB2X Tilas.

Here is the bracelet one of my customers (Kate) made: she used cream-colored Tilas and turquoise green Picasso superduos:

more Tilas and Superduos

Our other stitcher, Debbie, had to leave before our photo session - but hers was gorgeous, too.

This is a fun, fast, and easy project - I highly recommend it!

Kumihimo Rope with Long Magatamas

Just finished (almost finished)! 5 minutes ago I wove the last long Magatama into this kumihimo rope:

kumihimo rope with long Magatamas

This is the first time I have worked with the long Magatamas. For this rope, I used:

• 400 long Magatamas: 200 in galvanized silver, 200 in galvanized gold (this equals 25.5 grams of each color).
• size 8 Griffin Silk cord.

The resulting rope is 11.5 inches long. So if you're wondering how many Long Magatamas you need for your kumihimo project, there you have it (for an 8-warp braid; I put 50 beads on each warp.)

Now I just need to figure out how to finish it. The Magatamas made the rope pretty thick (although it is light as a feather!). It is not quite as wide as the one I made with the lentil-shaped beads,(although a heck of a lot lighter). Another similarity to the lentils: for the lentil kumihimo rope, you have to take great care to position all the Lentils inthe same direction as you are braiding, or the rope looks wonky, with the Magatamas, you must initially string all of them so they are "pointing" in the same direction. If they are strung properly, they'll pretty much orient themselves correctly as you braid.

Detail:

detail, kumihimo rope with long Magatamas

I need to do some beadweaving projects with the long Magatamas before I decide whether I like them. I don't dislike them at this point, they are just OK. Though they really added great texture to this kumihimo!

But don't get me started on the Superduos - my current passion! I love those little two-holed beads. So far, I have only made one project with them (a necklace/earring set) - but I can't wait to do more. They fascinate me!

reversible bracelet/earrings made with Czech Superduos

[This reversible bracelet/earring project is featured in the August, 2013 Bead & Button.]