Lisa Yang's Blog, page 2

Square Stitch Beading Tutorial

Square stitch beading looks just like it was made on a beading loom

Square stitch is an off-loom bead-weaving stitch that looks like loom beadwork, with beads that are stacked both vertically and horizontally in rows and columns. Square stitch is perfect to make smaller beadwork components where it would be more time consuming to warp a loom and weave in multiple thread ends.

Square stitch beadwork is durable, more so than loomed beadwork. That is because there are more thread passes than in loom ...

Tubular Herringbone Bead Stitch Bracelet Tutorial

Herringbone bead stitch forms a pattern where the beads join in a V shape similar to the central spine of a fish. 

There are several different versions including flat herringbone bead stitch, tubular herringbone bead stitch (this tutorial), twisted tubular herringbone stitch and circular herringbone stitch. 

Herringbone bead stitch is also sometimes known as Ndebele stitch after the African tribe that specializes in the stitch.

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4 Knots Every Jewelry Maker or Beader Needs

Knots are important in beadwork and other jewelry making such as bead stringing to secure thread and cord or can be used decoratively as in macrame jewelry or Chineseknotting.

In beadwork, knots are often used when adding or securingthread. The type of knots used vary depending on the bead stitch you are using,the type of thread and the bead sizes. Using the right knot and making itcorrectly can help prevent your thread from unraveling and make your beadworklast longer.

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Antique Steel Cut Bead Fringe Brick Stitch Earrings

 The details of how I reclaimed, cleaned and readied these antique steel beads is a story for another post. This one provides the details of the brick stitch fringe earrings, mostly so I can make another pair in case I lose the information that I scratched out on a sticky note.

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Simple Wire Bow Charm or Clasp DIY

Who doesn't love to get a gift with a glittering bow on top? Making wire jewelry is a gift you give yourself (or others), so use this tutorial to "put a bow on it". The bow charm is perfect as the centerpiece to a bracelet or necklace, make a pair for earrings or I also used it with a handmade wire hook to make it into a clasp. I'm sure you'll find other options too.

Make every day an excuse to celebrate, just choose some jewelry wire and pick up a few basic wire jewelry tools. My projects use 20...

DIY Wire Bow Charm or Clasp

Who doesn't love to get a gift with a glittering bow on top? Making wire jewelry is a gift you give yourself (or others), so use this tutorial to "put a bow on it". The bow charm is perfect as the centerpiece to a bracelet or necklace, make a pair for earrings or I also used it with a handmade wire hook to make it into a clasp. I'm sure you'll find other options too.

Make every day an excuse to celebrate, just choose some jewelry wire and pick up a few basic wire jewelry tools. My projects use 20...

Free American Flag Beaded Peyote Ring Pattern

American flag stars and stripes peyote ring by Lisa Yang Jewelry

  I created this peyote ring with celebrating the 4th of July in mind, but there are so many days and reasons to wear an American Flag. It is a great way to honor the courageous service people and remind our selves of the freedoms we are so lucky to have.

The pattern was designed using BeadTool 4 software. The word chart, including the delica bead numbers and detailed pattern is provided at the end of the step by step 2-drop peyote s...

Stunning Brick Stitch Bracelet Project for Beginners

Bracelet made with Miyuki size 8 seed beads and flat brick stitch

This beadwork project tutorial shows you how to make a brick stitch chain of  beads that can be used for a necklace or bracelet.  The chain in this tutorial has rows that are two beads wide. 

This bracelet is super quick to make and great practice to learn basic flat brick stitch. Using larger beads, like the size 8 beads pictured above, is also helpful for if you're new to beadwork or brick stitch. I highly recommend this project f...

Flat Brick Stitch Chain for Beginners

Bracelet made with Miyuki size 8 seed beads and flat brick stitch

This project will show you how to make a brick stitch chain of  beads that can be used for a necklace or bracelet.  The chain in this tutorial has rows that are two beads wide - which means it comes together very quickly and makes it easy to learn basic flat brick stitch. Using larger beads is also helpful for beginners.

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How to Use Wire Guardians for Beaded Fringe Earrings

Bugle bead earring component next to wire guardian

 

There are a variety of ways to attach findings to beadwork. One very secure and attractive way is to use wire guardians. Wire guardians are small, U-shaped metal findings that are used to protect the ends of beading wire or thread from wear and tear. Wire guardians may also be called wire guards, thread protectors, or wire protectors. They are convenient to use and they can help prevent the thread on your handmade bead jewelry from breaking or c...