Earrings with Miyuki Beads, Toho Beads® Seed Beads and Antique Silver-Finished "Pewter" Beads

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Design Idea MD2X

-- Designer --

Rose, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

To learn more about Rose Wingenbach, read her jewelry artist success story here.

: : : Materials : : :

Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design.

Please take the creative opportunity to select the products of your choice for this design, offered here at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Some materials may not be available or listed.

Bead, antique silver-finished "pewter" (zinc-based alloy), 10mm double-sided beaded flat round with flower design
Bead, Miyuki, TILA®, glass, opaque matte black (TL401F), 5mm square with (2) holes, fits up to 3mm beads
Ear wire, antique silver-plated copper, 19mm fishhook with 4x2mm coil and 4x1mm rondelle and open loop, 21 gauge
Lacy's Stiff Stuff™, beading foundation, white, 11x8-1/2 inch sheet
Leather scrap mix (dyed), black tones, mixed shape
Link, silver-plated brass, 8x4mm infinity
Seed bead, TOHO BEADS®, glass, opaque frosted turquoise, (TR-11-55F), #11 round
Seed bead, TOHO BEADS®, glass, PermaFinish opaque galvanized aluminum, (TR-11-PF558), #11 round
Thread, Berkley® FireLine®, gel-spun polyethylene, smoke, 0.15mm diameter 4-fiber braid, 6-pound test
Needle, Tulip, nickel- and gold-plated steel, #11 with 0.52mm eye width, 2 inches
Adhesive, E6000® Fray Lock™, crystal clear
Adhesive, E6000® Jewelry and Craft Adhesive, clear

Instructions

Step 1

Cut two 4-foot lengths of Berkley® FireLine® thread. Add a beading needle to one length of thread.

Note: It may be necessary to cut additional lengths of thread later in the design.

Cut two 2-inch squares of a piece of leather and a piece of Lacy's Stiff Stuff™.

Tip: Trim or round the corner of the square on the Lacy's Stiff Stuff to prevent the thread from catching.

Step 2

String the following onto one length of thread:

Three sets of:

One turquoise bead
The bottom hole of one TILA® bead

Pass through the 10mm bead
Two sets of:

One turquoise bead
The bottom hole of one TILA bead

Step 3

Pass back through the 10mm bead. String the following onto the thread:

Three sets of:

Three turquoise beads
The bottom hole of one TILA bead
Pass through the 10mm bead

Pass through the 10mm bead
Two sets of:

Three turquoise beads
The bottom hole of one TILA bead

Step 4

Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to string four and six turquoise bead, respectively.

Tie a knot to secure then trim excess thread. Apply a small amount of E6000® Fray Lock™ to the knot for better security.

Step 5

Use a toothpick to apply a small amount of glue on the back of the 10mm bead and tack your circle down on a piece of Lacy's Stiff Stuff.

Rethread the remaining tail of thread into the beads of the previous row and out the underside of the piece of Lacy's Stiff Stuff.

Step 6

Use the couching method to secure the beads into place:

Pass the needle through the underside of the Lacy's Stiff Stuff and beside a turquoise bead on the outermost row of the circle.
Pass the needle over the thread that strung the turquoise bead then through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff.

Repeat this method between each bead strung in the outermost row of the circle to secure it onto the Lacy's Stiff Stuff.

Trim the excess Lacy's Stiff Stuff.

Step 7

Use a toothpick to apply a small amount of glue to the Lacy's Stiff Stuff to secure it to the piece of leather.

Step 8

Pass through the leather piece and the Lacy's Stiff Stuff then string two aluminum seed beads.

Pull the thread taut to secure the bead on the thread.

Step 9

String two aluminum seed beads onto a threaded needle. Pass under the looped thread on the circle then pass through the second seed bead added.

String on one seed bead. Pass under the looped threads on the circle then pass back through the seed bead just added.

Repeat to add beads once around the circle.

Step 10

Pass through the first seed beaded added in Step 9, toward the circle, then pass through the last seed bead added, away from the circle. Pull taut to secure.

Weave the thread through the seed beads several times then pull the thread tight to secure. Trim excess thread.

Step 11

Pass the small loop in the infinity link through the thread on the outside row of the circle.

Pass the large loop in the infinity link through the loop on the ear wire to complete the earrings.

Step 12

Repeat Steps 2 through 11 using the remaining length of thread and pieces of leather and Lacy's Stiff Stuff to create a second earring.

Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.

Copyright Permissions

The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.

All works of authorship (articles, videos, tutorials and other creative works) are from the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® Collection, and permission to copy is granted for non-commercial educational purposes only. All other reproduction requires written permission. For more information, please email copyrightpermission@firemtn.com.