Free Beading Instructions

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 Cuff Bracelet with Paua Shell Cabochon and Seed Beads 



Lose yourself in the exquisite detail of this beautiful beaded cuff. A combination of stitching and adhesives bring it all together on a brass base. Sherry Serafini shows you how.


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Step 1
Take a piece of paper and make a pattern of the brass cuff and add 1/4 inch all the way around the pattern. Cut out the pattern.
Step 2
Use the pattern as a guide and cut the Lacy's Stiff Stuff® to the size of the pattern. Draw the 1/4 inch seam allowance all the way around the Lacy's stiff stuff. Cut the suede, also using the pattern as a guide.
Step 3
Take the dowel and roll a thin layer of glue to the underside of the cuff. Attach the suede to the glue and smooth down. Make sure to center the suede on the cuff. Set aside to dry.
Step 4
Roll a thin layer of glue to the back of the cabochon and glue to the center of the Lacy's Stiff Stuff. Allow the cabochon to dry.
Step 5
While waiting for the cabochon to dry, go back to the cuff and trim the suede to a 1/16 inch allowance all the way around the cuff, and set aside for later.
Step 6
Cut a length of Nymo® you're comfortable working with. Thread the size 10 needle; tie an overhand knot at the end.
Step 7
Bring the needle up from underneath the Lacy's Stiff Stuff, right next to the cabochon. String on two size 15 seed beads, allowing the beads to rest against the side of the cabochon.
Step 8

Pass your needle down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff so the beads are sitting securely against the cabochon. Pass the needle back up through the Lacy's at the starting point and pass the needle through the same two beads exiting the second one.
Step 9

Pick up two more size 15 seed beads. Slide the beads snug up against the previous two. Pass the needle down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff and bring the needle back up, coming up between the second and third bead in the row.
Step 10
Pass the needle through the third and fourth beads. Continue around in this manner until you have encircled the entire cabochon.
Step 11
Embroider beads on the rest of the Lacy's, using backstitch or stop stitch (see below), using the bugle beads, pearls and seed beads.

Backstitching: Pass the needle up through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff, string on a bead or two, depending on size, and pass back down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff pulling the beads snug against the material. Pick up two more beads, at the most, and continue in this manner. When backstitching with larger beads like pearls, larger size 6mm beads, or odd shaped beads, stitch on one bead at a time and pass through twice. Using the black marker, draw a design to help guide where to place the beads, or make a random design for a surprise ending.

Stop Stitch: String on a larger bead and one smaller bead (this could be a size 11) which will act as your stopper. Pass down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff, skipping over the size 11 bead, pass back through the larger bead to the underside of the Lacy's Still Stuff. The smaller bead will be sitting on top of the larger bead.
Step 12
When the Lacy's is beaded, carefully cut the extra 1/4 inch of Lacy's Stiff Stuff from the beadwork--don't cut any of your threads.
Step 13
Roll a thin layer of glue to the backside of the beadwork, lay the beadwork on top of the brass cuff and smooth down with your fingers. Allow to dry for 15 minutes.
Step 14
Start a new thread, and tie an overhand knot at the end. Pass the needle through the beadwork near the edge and close to the suede.
Step 15
Pass the needle through the edge of the suede and then the edge of the beadwork.
Step 16
Pick up a size 11 seed bead. Pass the needle with the bead, down through the suede, attaching both layers. Keep tension snug.
Step 17
Bring the needle back up through the same bead. The bead will stand up on the edge of the cuff.
Step 18
Pick up another size 11 seed bead and continue around the entire cuff in this manner, using the brick stitch, sandwiching the bead in between the suede and the beadwork.
Step 19
When you've stitched on the last bead, meeting the first bead, pass the needle down through the first bead. Weave the needle through the beadwork and knot off in several places. Clip the thread.

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