Secrets to Seed Beading Video 1: Quilling a Suncatcher Suncatcher with Delica® Seed Beads and Asfour Crystal Drop
Calling all present and future seed beaders--this one's for you! Rose kicks off episode one of this exciting new series with a simple suncatcher project. Learn how to use a variation of ladder stitch to build-up eye-catching patterns, add thread to your working line and more.
Previous | Next: Video 2, Stitching Fringe
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Design Idea NA22
-- 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.
- Chain, silver-finished brass, 6mm long and short oval
- Wire, ParaWire™, silver-plated copper, round, 18 gauge
- Thread, Berkley® FireLine®, gel-spun polyethylene, crystal, 0.13mm diameter 4-fiber braid, 4-pound test
- Thread, Berkley® FireLine®, gel-spun polyethylene, smoke, 0.13mm diameter 4-fiber braid, 4-pound test
- Needle, Tulip, nickel- and gold-plated steel, #11 with 0.52mm eye width, 2 inches. Sold per pkg of 4.
- Seed bead, Delica®, glass, translucent purple-lined luster crystal clear, (DBL0906), #8 round
- Seed bead, Delica®, glass, translucent rainbow crystal clear, (DBL0051), #8 round
- Seed bead, Delica®, glass, translucent peony pink-lined luster crystal clear, (DBL0902), #8 round
- Seed bead, Delica®, glass, translucent rainbow light topaz, (DBL0100), #8 round
- Seed bead, Delica®, glass, translucent rainbow gold luster claret, (DBL0104), #8 round. Sold per 7.5-gram pkg.
- Seed bead, Delica®, glass, opaque color-lined luster light lemon ice, (DBL0232), #8 round
- Seed bead, Delica®, glass, translucent teal green-lined luster crystal clear, (DBL0904), #8 round
- Seed bead, Delica®, glass, translucent blue-lined luster crystal clear, (DBL0905), #8 round. Sold per 7.5-gram pkg.
- Seed bead, Delica®, glass, translucent orchid-lined luster aqua, (DBL0922), #8 round
- Drop, Asfour Crystal, crystal, clear AB, 23x20mm faceted teardrop
- Clasp, lobster claw, imitation rhodium-finished steel and "pewter" (zinc-based alloy), 17x9mm with swivel
Instructions
Step 1
Add a beading needle to an arm-length of FireLine, leaving a 6-inch tail.
Step 2
Pick up four clear seed beads.
Pass the through the first two seed beads again, forming a circle. Pull the thread tight, stacking the first two seed beads next to the second two. Pass through the second two seed beads again.
Step 3
Pick up two clear beads then pass through the previous set of seed beads again. Pull tight to stack the picked-up beads next to the previous set then pass through the picked-up beads again. Repeat until you have a seven-rung "ladder" of beads.
Step 4
Coil the ladder-stitched beads so six sets surround one. Pass through the last set of beads and the adjacent set twice to close the circle.
Pass through an outer set of beads and the center set twice. Repeat to secure each of the outer sets to the center set.
Step 5
Use the same technique to add another row of clear beads around the previous row. Continue to add rows according to the printable pattern.
Secure the thread with a small knot then weave both back into the design. Trim any excess thread. Repeat with the tail from the beginning of stitching.
Tips:
- Keep the thread tension tight throughout the design
- Ensure there is a thread path to every adjacent bead on both sides of the design
- Switch to the smoke FireLine thread when you begin to bead with the darker colors. The example design uses crystal FireLine through the last teal green seed bead then switches to smoke FireLine for the rest of the design.
Step 6
Cut a 2-inch length of 18-gauge wire. Using the large jaw of Wubbers® triangular mandrel pliers, form the wire into a jump ring.
Note: View our ''How to Use the Wubbers® Triangular Mandrel Pliers'' how-to video for more details.
Cut two 1-inch lengths of 18-gauge wire. Using the small jaw of the pliers, create two more triangle jump rings.
Step 7
Cut a 9 1/2 inch length and a 1-inch length of chain. Carefully cut the last link of the long length of chain open, similar to a jump ring.
Step 8
Connect the following to complete the suncatcher:
- Swivel lobster claw clasp
- Long length of chain (open link to clasp)
- Small triangle jump ring
- Quill-stitch star
- Small triangle jump ring
- Short length of chain
- Large triangle jump ring
- Crystal teardrop
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.