Beadwork Musing, Volume 16, number 6, October/November 2013

There are some interesting projects in this issue, so here are my thoughts and ideas to help you through a few of the projects.

Pinwheel Pendant by Sabine Lippert, front cover and page 30

 

Many people struggle to find a design they like using spikes, but this is a great use of two sizes of them, without being too ‘out there’ and crazy looking. I love the variety of colours used in the samples, lot of variation.

Most of the beads are Czech beads, with just a few seed beads in 11 and 15. You’ll need two lots of 3mm FP beads and two lots of 4mmFP beads. You’ll also need some 4mm round beads. The spikes, 11 of the 7x17mm spikes and 22 of the smaller 5x8mm spikes. We also stock the 5x10mm spikes which would work as the base of the spike is still 5mm, they are just a little longer.

You’ll need some RAW experience  and there is a little bit of peyote too, but also some embellishment.

I was keen to try this and now by the time I’ve finished this blog entry I’ve managed to complete one. Due to using mainly larger beads in this, it starts off being quote floppy and the spikes head in all directions, by the time the ring is joined up, it starts to take shape and the embellishment in 11s and 15s gradually make it firmer. It’s great to see it develop with each round added.

.

Here is my version taken front on, you can see the small spike at about 1 O’clock position not pointing in the right direction, I need to flick that back in to place.

.

..

Tilt-a-wheel bracelet by Penny Dixon, page 46

I also used some license with the 11s and 15s, interchanging them in difference places on each component, it made it more fun.

If it seems a bit loose, go through the thread paths again, working with larger beads means it’s harder to keep a good tension.

Here is my version of this one:

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Breezeway Bangle by Nicole Starman, page 50

Once I got the hang of the thread path, I didn’t refer back to the pattern, though I did need to follow it carefully at the start as it’s a little tricky to understand at the beginning.

..

My version, some close ups:

.

.

.

.

.

.

.