One Beautiful Beaded Bead....
Hello and welcome back.
Today I am headed back to Peyote Stitch, more specifically to Tubular Peyote and Creating three dimensional bead work and shapes.
We have already mastered making this gorgeous square in a previous lesson.
In this tutorial, I will show you how to use the same advanced technique to create a round channel bead/component.
A channel bead is a 3-D shape component done very similarly to the peyote shape.
The main difference occurs when we zip the shape closed. Instead of just zipping up the outside edges, we will be adding an embellishment bead in between the two outer rows of our form.
To do this, we will change the the number of rows on one side of the bead work.
This technique can be used for any peyote shape but it works particularly well with the rounds and squares.
In this bracelet design, I used 3-D squares and square channel components to create contrast and variety.
In this tutorial, we are focusing on the round form of this technique.
So let’s take a look at the materials used in this project.
Tools and Materials
You can use any color beads you like. This technique can also be done using all seed beads. The Delica beads just make the design much cleaner and well defined.
I have included my affiliate links for the items I used today.
I realized I made a few mistakes when I was reviewing the photos for today’s lesson. I will point those out along the way.
As you can see, the overall outcome of my component was not affected terribly so you can decide which way works best for you.
Creating the Component and Channel
To create this shape all we are going to do is some basic tubular peyote.
We will do the first 3 rows using 15/0 round seed beads.
The number of beads picked up initially will determine how large the center whole of the shape will be.
A few points to remember are as follows.
- When working with tubular peyote stitch, you need to pick up an even number of beads at the beginning.
- Due to the offset nature of the stitch, when you add the next round of beads, you are actually creating the third row of bead work.
- The rows are counted along the diagonal.
- The thread path through the beads is also on the diagonal.
Once you have picked up the your beads, stitch one round of 15/0 seed beads using peyote stitch.
For this sample, I picked up 32 beads initially.
I added 16 beads in row 3.
As I add the last bead of the round (Row 3), I sew through the the seed bead on the base as well as the bead on Row 1 to step up.
This positions my working thread on the right side of the bead work.
We will alternate each row between the right side and left side in this manner throughout the project.
Note – Row 1 and Row 3 beads sit side by side, and Row 2 beads are the center line.
Refer back to the Tubular Peyote lesson if needed.
In my sample, I added another row of 15/0 seed beads on this side of the bead work, for a total of 4 rows of 15/0 seed beads.
In retrospect, to have a clear center line, I should have either added an additional row on the opposite side or eliminated that row of seed beads entirely so that I have an odd number of rows of 15/0 seed beads.
To use 5 rows in your bead work, after you add the last bead of the Row 4, sew through the beads, diagonally to the left side.
Add another row of 15/0 seed beads to the left side.
Eventually, I started again and used only 3 rows of 15/0 seed beads in my sample.
Next we will work two rows on each side of the bead work using the 15/0 Delica beads.
Add a row, then sew over to the other side and add a row.
Repeat these steps again.
Remember to sew on the diagonal across the center.
Make sure to step into the sticking out bead before you add the new row.
At this point, you are able to see the channel that is forming between the right side and left side of the component.
Now add two more rows on each side of the bead work using the 11/0 Delica beads.
The final row is stitched using the Rondelle beads.
We will zip the Rondelle beads to the Delicas sticking up on the other side of the bead work.
If you want to use larger accent beads, you can add more rows of Delicas on each side evenly to create a deeper channel between the sides.
After adding the last crystal, you need to step up into the first bead added in this round.
Sew through the first Rondelle bead.
Zipping Up
Zip up the bead work by sewing back and forth through the Delicas in the up bead position on the other side of the channel.
Pinch the bead work together to see the beads more clearly.
Sew through the sticking up Delica on the other side.
Sew through the next Accent Bead in the channel.
Repeat these steps all the way around the component.
Reinforce the by passing through all the beads again.
Options:
- Add a seed bead between each crystal
- Add a loop of beads to connect to an earring or use as a component.
Tie a few half hitch knots along the thread path.
Move away from the last know before ending the thread with the thread zapper or scissors.
I hope you have enjoyed this advanced tutorial in Peyote Stitch.
Have fun creating your own channel beads and components using this wonderful technique.
Please feel free to share this with your Bead Buddies and like this post.
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