Creative Beading Techniques

Using solid beading techniques will add to the beauty of your jewelry whether you use art beads or recycle beads from vintage jewelry.

Beading Techniques: Flat Peyote Stitch, Even Count

In order to do a flat peyote stitch, you will need two colors of beads. Try size D beading thread and size 10 or 12 beading needles. Don't forget to condition your thread so that it won't unravel. You should cut a thread about five feet long for this project.

Thread alternating colors until you have used a total of ten beads, or five of each color. If you would like a wider band, add a bead of each color until you get your desired width.

What color is the bead on the top of your stack? You will be using only this color to complete this row. Take that color of bead and run the needle through the second bead in your stack and tighten. You should have two of the same colored beads side-by-side on top of your stack. Take another one of the beads and the needle through the second bead below. In essence, you will be tightening your beads in this row through the opposite color on your original row.

When you reach the bottom, string your other color and reverse the process. Continue until repeating until the band is finished.

Beading Techniques: Spiral Head Pin

In order to create a spiral head pin, you will need wire, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, wire cutters and beads.

Flush cut about four inches of wire with your wire cutters.

Get your round nose pliers. Holding the wire as close to the end of the pliers as possible, turn the wire around over the upper tip of the pliers. Open the pliers slightly and reposition the pliers so that the wire is now around the bottom of the pliers and wrap again. Continue rotating and turning until the wire has closed into a small loop and is starting to wrap around itself.

Hold the loop flat in your chain nose pliers. You should see part of the loop that you have made. Pull the wire up against the loop. Reposition your project in the pliers again so that the wire that you are using to add to the spiral is perpendicular to the pliers. Push up against the loop again. Move so that the wire is perpendicular again and push against the loop.

When you have your spiral the size that you would like, remove the spiral. Hold your "forming" wire with the chain nose pliers and the spiral in your other hand. Push the wire against the spiral to form an angle so that the charm can be dangled.

Add your bead and form a loop on top to hold the bead in place. You can also use the loop to attach your beaded charm to a necklace or bracelet.