I was searching through my bead stash for suitable colors to use, and came across a few packets of pastel colored peanut seed beads. I’ve used them in spiral ropes before, as accent beads, but I didn’t want to do the same old pattern again. Then it occurred to me that they might look nice as the main beads in the spiral rows, so I grabbed all three colors - purple and green Ceylon, and pink lined crystal.
Along with cream and white round seed beads, I made a spiral rope with three peanuts at the center of each row. I was so thrilled with the way the beadwork took shape! The peanuts lock together perfectly, sometimes alternating their position from vertical to horizontal. Because they’re just slightly larger than the round seed beads, they add a bit of bulk to the spiral rows, making them tighter and a little puffy-looking.
With the peanut seed beads in the rows, the spiral has a nice bubbly texture, but has the same drape and flexibility as a regular rope. I added a simple looped bail to the tagua slice, and that’s one more necklace down - only 21 more to go!
Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading
The spiral rope is just luscious. When I first looked at the tagua slice, though, I thought "tongue." Perhaps that's just me. I wondered, "Why is she putting a tongue on a necklace?"
ReplyDeleteBut the pink is lovely, and I hear you about the peanut beads. Don't they create a wonderful effect?
Now I can see a tongue, too! The little nick in the center of the tagua - caused by rapid drying - doesn't help, does it?
ReplyDeleteI won't tell you what my husband said when I showed him the necklace. He was remembering the collaboration I did with VulvaLoveLovely. I like the feminine appeal!
I am so so so late to comment on this beauty! But I just couldn't help myself! This is stunning! The rope looks like cotton candy to me! :D Delicious!
ReplyDeleteThere's only one thing which I can't figure out, how did you attach your pendant without any metal rings? Is there a tutorial to make a beaded bail like you have in this necklace?
Other than that, this is lovely!
The bail is made simply with seed beads and thread, with lots of passes and extra knots to make it sturdy. The trick is to use a larger bead for the base of the loops - and 8/o or 6/o - so that the bead strands have somewhere to anchor without looking clumped.
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