Today is the Day.....
We finally wrap up our review of Brick Stitch in the Bead Weaving 101 series.
And what a better way to wrap up, than to finish our Concentric Frames project by turning them into the Concentric Coral Earrings.
During the process, I have one last technique to share with you.
As we work the first row of embellishment beads, I will show you how to insert a horizontal bead between the vertically aligned beads we brick stitch to the outside of the frame.
In order to make these earrings, you need to first head over to Advanced Brick Stitch With Multiple Concentric Frames and work up 2 of the base components.
Then head back here to finish the lovely project.
Tools and Materials
- 8/0 Toho Seed Beads – Rose Gold Permanent Finish
- 11/0 Toho Seed Beads – Rose Gold Permanent Finish
- 15/0 Toho Seed Beads – Silver Lined Opal Transparent Amber (Fusion Beads)
- 2 x 3 Crystal Rondelle Beads – Coral (Cherry Tree Beads)
- 2 each – 16 mm and 28 mm Textured Components (Joann’s Fabrics)
- Black Satin Fireline .006
- Size 10 Beading Needle
I have listed all the materials used for this tutorial and have included my affiliate links, where available.
A few items are from Fusion Beads and Joann’s and I added the links as well for your convenience.
Getting into Position
When we left off, we were exiting the 11/0 seed bead, below the first crystal on the last round.
Our working thread is on the front side of the bead work, but we need to position it to the back.
Pass the needle under the frame the 11/0 and the bead right next door to either side.
First Round
Working back to front – Pick up two 15/0 seed beads and position on the frame.
Insert the needle under the frame between the 11/0 beads directly below.
Pass back up through the second bead as usual.
Follow the steps below to straighten the first bead.
Inserting the Horizontal Beads
Now we will begin to insert a horizontal bead between each vertical one.
Pick up an 11/0 and a 15/0.
Line them up on the frame to determine where the 15/0 will stand up.
Pass the needle under the frame in this spot.
Step up into the 15/ as you normally do in Brick Stitch.
Repeat the steps above once more using an 11/0 and 15/0.
Make sure to check your bead position before going under the frame and remember to step up into each new 15/0 on the frame.
Now I have to admit, that I started the first earring a little differently as I was in design mode… not teaching mode.
Try to ignore the fact that my beads look a little different at this point. I corrected this in the video below.
Now repeat the steps above, six more times, only this time pick up an 8/0 bead in place of the 11/0, followed by the 15/0.
Do two more stitches with the 11/0’s and the finish off the row by adding one last 11/0.
This will give you the same exact look and bead alignment on both sides of the center.
Second Round
The working thread is exiting the last 15/0 added.
Pick up a 15/0 and pass the needle through the next horizontal 11/0.
Pick up an 11/0 and pass through the next horizontal bead, in this case an 11/0.
Pick up an 11/0 and pass through the next horizontal bead, an 8/0 this time.
Now we are going to add crystals between all the horizontal 8/0 beads.
For a total of 6 crystals.
Pick up a crystal and stitch through the next 8/0.
After you have added the last crystal, the working thread is exiting the last horizontal 8/0 bead.
Use 11/0 bead for the next two stitches.
The last stitch is slightly different.
Pick the 15/0 and sew down through the last vertical 15/0 on the base.
This is what the bead work looks like at the end of the round.
Note the position of the working thread, exiting the first crystal bead of the last round.
Follow the instructions below and in the video to reach this position for the next round.
The working thread is exiting the bottom of the last 15/0 on the frame.
Pass the needle up through the next 15/0 on the base.
Pass the needle over through all the 11/0 bead, the 8/0 bead and the first crystal rondelle.
Round Three - The Fringe
The five sections of fringe are stitch between the 6 crystals on the base.
Each fringe increase by one bead per side, beginning with one and ending with three before decreasing again on the other side of the center.
Pick up an 11/0 – Crystal – 15/0 and drop to the base.
Skip over the 15/0 and sew back down the crystal.
Pick up an 11/0 and sew through the next crystal on the base.
Pick up two 11/0 – Crystal – 15/0.
Skip over the 15/0 and sew back down the crystal.
Pick up two 11/ and sew through the next crystal on the base.
Pick up three 11/0 – crystal – 15/0.
Skip the 15/0 and sew back down the crystal.
Pick up three 11/0 and sew through the next crystal on the base.
Repeat the steps above for the second fringe section using two 11/0 beads on each side of the crystal.
Repeat the steps above for the first fringe section using one 11/0 bead on each side of the crystal.
Move through the next 8/0 bead.
Pass down the 15/0 below.
Pass the needle under the frame to the back.
Pass up through the same 15/0 bead on the back side of the frame.
Move back through the 8/0 and crystal and flip the work back over.
The Last Round
Follow the steps below to add a 15/0 bead between each section of fringe.
Sew up through the 11/0 bead on the side.
Sew down the 11/0 on the other side.
Make sure the loop of thread stays in front of the crystal as you pull the thread through.
Pick up a 15/0 and sew up through all the 11/0 beads on this side of the next fringe section.
Sew down all the 11/0 bead on the other side of the crystal.
Repeat the steps above to add a 15/0 between each section of fringe for a total four 15/0 beads added.
After you add the last 15/0, sew down the 11/0 seed bead on the other side of the last fringe section.
Sew through all the horizontal beads the crystal, the 8/0 all four 11/0 bead and the 15/0.
Sew down the last 15/0 bead on the frame.
Weave up and down through the crystal row to reach the top center to add the three bead bail.
Sew down through the 11/0 and crystal inside the frame.
The Last Round
Find the center of the frame, directly above the center fringe section.
Sew up through the 11/0 row, and pass the needle under the frame again to work from the back.
Pick up a 11/0 – 8/0 -11/0 and drop them into position on the center mark.
Come back under the frame below the last 11/0.
Pass the needle up through the 11/0.
Sew across the 8/0 bead.
Sew down the first 11/0 of the bail.
Pass under the frame.
Come back up through the first 11/0 again.
Sew back through the 8/0 and down the second 11/0 to reinforce the bail.
Sew down through the 11/0 row into the coral row.
Weave up and down through the coral crystals to secure the thread before cutting the thread.