Beading Tutorial: Tubular Pearl Netting

If you love to incorporate shaped seed beads and other small accent beads into your work, nothing beats pearl netting for satisfying a craving for rounds. This variation of tubular netting - which is really a spin-off of tubular peyote - works with just about any round bead you can think of, so long as it has holes suitable for the weave. Druks, firepolish, gemstone rounds, and pearls are all gorgeous when netted.

In this tutorial, we’ll be working with 4mm druks and 15/o seed beads - with 11/o anchors. If you want to use larger beads, you can adjust both the seed bead sizes and quantities used until you get a net that fits your accents. Try experimenting with different combinations, but remember that if your nets are too small, the accent beads will get lost inside the beadwork. Less is not more when it comes to this stitch. When in doubt, add more beads to your nets and test the fit with one or two rounds.

To Weave a Simple Pearl Netting Rope:

Start with a comfortable length of beading thread. Pick up one 11/o seed bead and one 4mm druk four times. Slide them down to the end of the thread, leaving about a 6 inch tail.

Pass through all 8 of the beads again, and pull snug to begin forming a small ring. Stitch through the first 3 beads again so that your thread is exiting from an 11/o seed bead. Pull the thread snug.

Pick up three 15/o seed beads, one 11/o, and three more 15/o seed beads. Stitch through the following 11/o seed bead in the ring, and pull the thread snug. Repeat for each of the remaining 11/o’s, until you have a flower-shape. Step up by stitching through the first 4 beads added in this round, so that your thread is exiting from an 11/o bead on the edge.

Pick up one 4mm druk, and stitch through the following 11/o seed bead in the previous round. Repeat 3 times - don’t worry about pulling the thread tight until you’ve added the final druk. Gently push the beadwork into a tube shape and pull the thread snug, then stitch through the first druk added in this round, and the following 11/o seed bead to step up.

Pick up three 15/o, one 11/o, and three 15/o. Stitch through the next 11/o seed bead in the base. Repeat three times and step up, then add the next round of druks.

Continue weaving the pattern until your netting reaches the desired length. Finish with a round of druks, then stitch through all of the beads in the final round a second time to secure them.

A short length of pearl netting is great for earrings or a pendant. Longer pieces can be strung with other beads for bracelets and necklaces, or stitched together for a very dramatic focal piece. By increasing or decreasing the size of your round beads and the quantity of net beads, you can create unique shapes such as spheres and donuts or - my favorite - strawberries!

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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March Bead Stash Favorites

I had nearly run out of exciting, inspiring bead faves when the time came to stock up again. I’ve been slowly cultivating the supplies I need for my top secret project, and they are all totally gorgeous. This month I’m really excited about blues, and a few fun shapes.

Now that I’ve been back to using Czech seed beads for awhile, I’m rediscovering some old favorites. There are several different shades of AB hanks ready and waiting, and these dark blue ones are a favorite. What I love about this finish is that the beads look like one color and a mix all at the same time, and they’re fun to pair with opaque contrasts.

I also treated myself to a new strand of freshwater pearls, and there’s no beating the amazing shade of blue in these ones. I love the shine and the shape, but mostly the solid weight of a great round pearl. It's almost a shame to take them off the strand - they look so gorgeous all in a row. These turquoise pearls are going to be perfect in some ocean themed designs.

Finally, I’ve stocked up on Rizo seed beads in a few new colors, including black and white. I’ve played a little bit with this shape in the past few weeks and I love how they work as drops, not just in fringe but incorporated into beadwork as well. They've got the same appeal as daggers, but the delicate feel of seed beads. I'm really excited about using the white ones, which have just a tiny bit of translucence to them.

What kinds of beads are you into right now?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Work in Progress: Colorblocked Collar

I’m feeling rather sad and annoyed with how my bead tray is looking this week. I had been hoping to share a look at a nearly finished collar, or perhaps an entirely new project altogether. Unfortunately, right after sitting down to work out a pattern for this piece, I came down with a wicked cold, and haven’t been able to add a stitch.

I’m not quite happy with the pattern that I started with, and I’ll be starting over at least once more. The idea for the palette came all of a sudden - one of those flashes of inspiration that must be jotted down immediately. Luckily, I had all the colors that I needed, so there was no delay in starting. Now I just have to get well enough to finish.

What are you working on this week?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Book Review: Small Beads Big Jewelry

An interesting trend in the world of beading is: the smaller the beads, the bigger the design. Big beads are great for simple stringing, but tiny seed beads can transform into elaborate masterpieces. Proving this with her new book on bead weaving, Jean Power showcases the amazing potential of seed beads.

There are thirty gorgeous beadwork projects, with ten pieces by designers handpicked by Jean from around the world. Justine Standaert represents Mexico with amazing acai jewelry, Maria Lindemann of Denmark shares delightful peyote patterns, plus many more - including myself. It was a great pleasure to share a bracelet tutorial for chain link right angle weave!

Following a quick basics overview for beginners, the projects are arranged by difficulty and technique. Each section starts with a primer on the relevant stitch, such as peyote or herringbone. Then readers can learn to make three or more gorgeous pieces of jewelry using the technique. Every project showcases the amazing versatility of small beads with simple techniques like Celinni spiral, and adapted designs such as herringbone beaded beads and 3-D beadwork. Jean shares one of her famous techniques for geometric peyote triangles, and there’s even a fringe-tastic variation of spiral rope that takes the stitch to all new heights. Full materials lists and large, full color diagrams guide readers through the steps, and there are plenty of variation examples to inspire new pieces.

Small Beads Big Jewelryalso includes a wonderful Q&A section with all 11 designers, providing tips and advice for new beaders who want to dive into the craft. More than just a bead weaving basics title, this book inspires a love of seed beads and all the amazing things that they can do.

I would like to thank Jean Power and everyone at Quarto Publishing for the opportunity to take part in this wonderful publication, and for providing a copy of Small Beads Big Jewelry for this review. Inspirational Beading has not received compensation for including products in this post; however, actions you take from this page can result in a commission for Inspirational Beading.

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
Jean Power and Barron's Educational Series
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Work in Progress: Spring Bracelets

This week I’m continuing with my top secret prototypes, including some pretty spring bracelets. I can’t show you the projects just yet, but the colors are proving to be really fun. Green and lilac and soft beige together have just the right amount of flowery sweetness. I've also been trying out some new threads, and hopefully I'll be able to share the thread brand comparison later this year, as promised.

It’s been many, many years since I've worked on a single design multiple times for practice and to test out patterns and color. What’s interesting is how much inspiration is coming through for other designs while I work steadily on repeats. Next week I'm taking a quick break to make a new collar with colors that really pop.

The medallion project is also coming along nicely. Three are finished so far with more on the way. What makes these pieces really great is that I didn't design them - more on that later!

What are you working on this week?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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