Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Beading VISUAL Quick Tips Book Giveaway!

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I reviewed the wonderful little jewelry making book “Beading VISUAL Quick Tips” by Chris Franchetti Michaels yesterday. You can read the full review post here.

This book is full of instructions to help you make jewelry easily and today is YOUR chance to win a copy!

Leave a comment below with a funny story about bead stringing or a bead stringing disaster, something that having a good instruction book could have saved you from kind of story. On May 11th, I’ll pick one lucky reader to receive a copy this book.

Comments

  1. So, this isn’t really all that funny, but it’s all I got. Lol. When I first started working with seed beads and itty bitty swarovskis, I was terrified of my work breaking and everything falling all over the place. I remember very clearly working on a piece, and having it almost finished, and dropping it. I instantly thought “oh god, I’m going to have to find all those beads in the carpet”. Well, my thread managed to get caught in such a way that nothing came unstrung. I was amazed. So I picked the piece up, and in an attempt to figure out the “mystery” I started shaking it. Well, I’m sure you can guess what happened. I’m still picking beads out of various nooks of my house. I think that maybe if I had thought to secure the thread a few times throughout the piece, it might have helped a bit. I do that now, although I don’t think I would EVER shaking an unfinished piece again. 🙂

  2. Once, I decided to string a necklace on hemp twine. Not the tough stuff you use for macreme, oh no -that wouldn’t fit through the holes- but some soft, thinner stuff. There were to be parts where the string showed, you see, and I wanted that particular look and texture so badly I flused all doubts from my mind by force.

    I got to work. I was using largely jasper and hematite (both quite hefty) and it took me ages to do a simple beads-on-a-string necklace because the hemp was so moody and unwilling to go through the bead holes. Finally it was finished, and it looked grand. I picked it up and went to put it on. Two of the four strands of the necklace snapped immediately, spraying beads (for how hard they went on, they sure came off easy) everywhere.

    I didn’t touch that thing again for four years. Good news, though! I recently redid it, this time with tigertail for the stringing medium and chain used where the string would be exposed. Ta da: http://corvustristis.livejournal.com/31427.html

  3. I had several beading projects going a one time and my little one decided to try to bead also with out me knowing and when I went to work on the projects they where all tangled together from the little artist work.

  4. I was trying to make a simple bracelet and halfway into it I decided to pick up the whole thing while it was attached to the needle. Apparently I didn’t tie the knot thick enough and all the beads fell to my carpeted floor.

  5. My story is one of frustration. I picked up some wonderful books with some gorgeous projects that I wanted to make as gift. The only problem was the fact that they were made using a peyote stitch. I fought with that stitch for 3 weeks before I gave up and made some gifts using wirework instead. I could really use a visual tutorial so that I could take those designs again.

  6. Oh – how about starting with the stop bead and then stringing all your beads on, standing up to check the length and having all of them HIT THE GROUND because you didn’t realize you needed to LOOP through the STOP BEAD to hold all the beads?

  7. Oh, I’m another of the “beads all over the floor”…the problem is, you would think that after doing it once, I wouldn’t do it again, right? Nope…Now I put a big white towel on the floor under the left side of the table when I’m beading, LOL!

    emvark at gmail dot com

  8. I was working on a customized My Little Pony, and I made a beaded lattice for her mane. I came home the day after finishing her to find that the pony was on the floor with the beads scattered and toothmarks in the pony’s legs and head. My cat had decided that beaded ponies were a fantastic toy, and the beading string snapped.

  9. This is a book that was probably written for someone like me… I have very little experience with beading jewelly projects but for a birthday present, my daughter received a kit (she’s 11 years old)and I offered to help (I am rather crafty, or so I thought). Well, the instructions were in picture format and not very clear to us. The beading needle was unusually long, about 6 or 7 inches and somehow we managed to bead the needle into the necklace with the string tied at only one end. That will be an impossible necklace to wear indeed! Unless I get serious about beaded jewellry, I should stick to quilting and embellishing with beads!!

  10. I stayed with a friend and her family for a few months while I recuperated from an illness. I did a lot of beading, including stringing seed beads. Well, in my weakened condition and without a good bead tray, I must have dropped a lot of beads–it’s three years later and they still bring me baggies of beads they’ve found around the house!

  11. Hi,
    I am a jewelry teacher and wire wrapping is my passion, but I also teach Basic Beading.

    Recently I received an email for help regarding use of beading threads. I didn’t know the exact answer….BUT…I own this book and looked it through it and found the answer.

    This is a great book nicely organized and even if you don’t win it, I recommend adding it to your collections. You will find that you go to it…often.

  12. I never wanted to do beading, because the beads were so tiny and it seemed like it would take forever to make anything good, but a few years back, geckos made with pony beads were all the rage for summer camp crafting, so in the search for patterns for new animals, I found some peyote stitch patterns. To make a long story short, if you take the directions for an amulet bag made with seed beads and substitute pony beads, you end up with a very large purse. Maybe if pony beads weren’t so cheap looking, I would appreciate my purse more…

  13. I have a hard time getting the knot right to start a project. Inevitably this has led to many a time all the beads I worked so hard to string slipping off the end of my thread. My husband has started a collection of all the lost beads found in our coach and carpet. Some day I will make them into a beautiful necklace :).

  14. Am learning to make jewelry and would love this book. I need all the help that I can get…

  15. I have taken a couple of local classes that a neighbor teaches in the local Caribou Coffee. Usually its about 6 or 7 of us around a couple of tables at Caribou Coffee. Its almost a given that someone will come up and ask us about what we are doing. We then all get to “show off” our work-in-progress. Not too funny for us, but I can see how it might strike the customers of Caribou Coffee as odd to see a table full of crazy beading ladies making necklaces, earrings or bracelets sipping Mocha Coffees and chatting about what’s going on in their life. Thanks for the giveaway.

  16. I found a beading Loom with 10,000 beads at wal mart. I was sure I would never master that, so I spent two years in my spare time, sorting the colors in those big craft boxes, that promise they are “tight fitting”. While visiting my Sister, I ask my husband to get a few beading things and the box of carefully sorted seed beads, from the motorhome. He piled them every which way but up into a laundry basket. As he walked in the front door, beads hit the new tile floor with every step. (he doesn’t hear)I am yelling stop, stop as he picks up the craft box of 10,000 sorted beads upside down and open.
    The look on his face was priceless, as he said, “Look what you did”.we all got a good laugh.Thus my first introduction to the word “bead soup”. 4 yrs later every now and then, my sister finds a few beads in her vacumn basket. She calls them, “Lew’s Spirit Beads”. I am by nature a perfectionist when it comes to beadwork.”when I find a flaw, It becomes bead soup”. I will never sort beads by color again.

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Have you read?

Peyote Stitch Ring Patterns: Tiny Seed Bead Projects You Can Finish Fast

Peyote stitch rings are the sort of tiny beadwork project that makes you feel wildly productive without needing a full weekend, a giant bead mat, or the emotional strength required to commit to a wide cuff bracelet. They are small, pretty, wearable, and brilliant for using up those little leftover piles of seed beads that somehow multiply in every craft room.

If you already enjoy peyote stitch bracelets, a peyote ring is a lovely next step. You get the same satisfying bead-by-bead rhythm, but in a smaller project that can often be finished in an evening. And if you are brand new to bead weaving, rings are a nice low-pressure way to practise even count peyote, odd count peyote, 2-drop peyote, joining beadwork into a band, and working with Miyuki Delicas or regular seed beads.

These peyote stitch ring patterns include sweet floral rings, heart rings, simple beaded bands, odd count peyote designs, and small statement rings that make lovely handmade gifts. They are especially good for using special beads from your stash — you know the ones, those tiny tubes you bought because the colour was irresistible and then apparently decided they were too pretty to use.

Because peyote stitch creates a flexible beaded fabric, it works beautifully for rings. The finished beadwork wraps around the finger comfortably, and the design options are almost endless. You can keep things simple with stripes, make a tiny motif, add a flower, or create a bold little band using a graph or word chart.

If you’re new to the technique, our earlier CraftGossip post on 12 Free Peyote Beading Patterns is a helpful place to understand how peyote stitch works across different bead projects. For a sweet internal project, the CraftBits Daisy Ring is a lovely small seed bead design to try.

Peyote Stitch Ring Patterns And Seed Bead Ring Tutorials

1. CraftBits Daisy Ring

CraftBits Daisy Ring

This sweet Daisy Ring from CraftBits is a lovely little seed bead project if you enjoy floral jewelry with a handmade feel. The ring uses Delica seed beads, beading thread, an accent bead, and dagger beads to create a dimensional flower design with a peyote-style ring band.

This is a nice project when you want something small but still decorative. It has that cheerful “I made this myself” charm, and it would be lovely in spring colours, soft pastels, or even deep jewel tones for a more dramatic finish.

2. Artbeads Peyote Stitch Ring

How To Make A Peyote Stitch Ring

This Artbeads tutorial is a great starting point if you want a classic peyote stitch ring using Delica beads. The design uses even count peyote, which is usually the friendliest place to begin if you are still getting comfortable with the stitch.

I like this kind of project for beginners because it teaches the basic ring structure without overcomplicating things. Once you understand how the peyote strip joins into a ring, you can start playing with stripes, colour blocks, metallic beads, or tiny motifs.

3. Golden Age Beads Free Peyote Stitch Ring Pattern

Free Beadweaving Pattern For A Peyote Stitch Ring

This free peyote stitch ring pattern from Golden Age Beads has a striking triangular design worked in three colours. It is a lovely option if you want something a little more graphic than a plain band but still small enough to feel manageable.

A patterned ring like this is a good way to practise reading peyote charts on a smaller scale. You get the satisfaction of a finished design without having to commit to a long bracelet or cuff.

4. Eureka Crystal Beads Simple Beaded Heart Ring

Simple Beaded Heart Ring With Odd Count Peyote Stitch

This simple beaded heart ring is made using odd count peyote stitch and features a sweet little heart motif. It is a lovely handmade gift idea for a partner, best friend, daughter, granddaughter, or anyone who likes tiny meaningful jewelry.

Odd count peyote can feel a little more fiddly than even count peyote, but a ring is a good-sized project for practising. You only have a small number of rows to manage, so it feels achievable while still teaching you a useful bead weaving skill.

5. Lisa Yang Jewelry 2-Drop Peyote Heart Ring

2 Drop Peyote Heart Pattern And Ring Tutorial

This 2-drop peyote heart ring tutorial from Lisa Yang Jewelry is a lovely way to explore a variation of peyote stitch. Instead of adding one bead at a time, 2-drop peyote uses pairs of beads, which gives the design a slightly different rhythm and look.

The heart pattern makes this a sweet project for Valentine’s Day, friendship gifts, or just because you have a tiny pile of pink and red seed beads waiting for a purpose. It is also a nice pattern if you want to compare how standard peyote and 2-drop peyote feel in your hands.

6. Lisa Yang Jewelry Odd Count Peyote Cross Ring

Odd Count Peyote Cross Ring Tutorial

This odd count peyote cross ring tutorial is a meaningful little beadwork project with a centred cross motif. Because it uses odd count peyote, it is useful for designs that need a centre line or balanced motif.

This would make a thoughtful handmade gift for Easter, Christmas, confirmations, or faith-based celebrations. You could keep it classic with neutrals and metallics, or make it softer with pearl, cream, pale blue, or blush-toned seed beads.

7. Beadaholique Odd Count Peyote Stitch Ring

How To Make An Odd-Count Peyote Stitch Ring

This Beadaholique tutorial shows how to create an odd-count peyote stitch ring using 11/0 Miyuki Delica seed beads. It is especially useful if you want to see how the ends of the beadwork are joined neatly to form a smooth ring.

That seamless join is one of those little finishing details that makes a handmade ring look polished. If you have been nervous about closing peyote beadwork into a ring shape, this tutorial is a helpful one to watch.

8. The Bead Mix Daisy Peyote Stitch Ring

Daisy Peyote Stitch Free Beading Pattern

This Daisy Peyote Stitch pattern from The Bead Mix is a free even count peyote ring pattern with a soft floral feel. It uses 11/0 Miyuki Delica beads and has a pretty watercolour-inspired look, which makes it perfect if you like gentle, garden-style colour palettes.

A floral peyote ring is a lovely project for spring crafting, handmade gifts, or using those bead mixes that look gorgeous in the tube but need the right small project. This one feels delicate without being too fussy.

9. Lisa Yang Jewelry Daisy And Peyote Stitch Ring

Daisy And Peyote Stitch Ring

This daisy and peyote stitch ring tutorial combines a thin peyote band with a beaded daisy flower design. It is a sweet option if you like rings that have a little more dimension and personality than a flat band.

The flower centre gives the ring a playful, nostalgic feel. It is the kind of design that would look lovely in traditional daisy colours, but you could also make it in bright retro shades or soft cottage-garden tones.

10. Snails And Fairy Dust Evil Eye Peyote Stitch Ring Pattern

Evil Eye Peyote Stitch Beaded Ring Pattern

This free evil eye peyote stitch ring pattern is a bold little project for anyone who likes symbolic jewelry. The pattern uses odd count peyote stitch and creates a protective eye motif in a wearable beaded ring.

This is a good choice if you prefer graphic, modern beadwork rather than florals or hearts. The evil eye design works beautifully in blue, white, black, gold, and turquoise tones, but you could easily change the colours to suit your own style.

Tips For Making Peyote Stitch Rings

Use Delica Beads For A Neater Finish

Miyuki Delicas are a favourite for peyote stitch rings because they are cylinder-shaped and sit together cleanly. This gives your finished ring smooth edges and a tidy woven look.

Round seed beads can still work, especially for a more organic handmade finish, but Delicas are usually easier when you want a crisp motif or a neatly fitting band.

Check The Size Before You Join The Ring

A peyote strip can look perfect while it is flat, but it still needs to fit comfortably once joined into a ring. Before weaving the ends together, wrap the beadwork around your finger and check the fit.

Remember that peyote rings have structure. You want the ring to be snug enough to stay on, but not so tight that it feels stiff or uncomfortable.

Reinforce The Join

The join is the part of a peyote ring that gets the most stress. Once you have zipped or stitched the ends together, weave through the join a little more than once if the pattern allows.

This helps the ring hold its shape and gives it more strength for everyday wear. Tiny jewelry still needs to be sturdy, especially if you are making gifts.

Start With A Simple Band

If this is your first peyote ring, start with stripes or a simple colour block before trying a detailed motif. A small practice ring will teach you how the beads sit, how the sizing works, and how the join comes together.

Once you have made one plain peyote ring, the patterned ones will feel much less mysterious.

Keep Your Bead Mat Away From Pets

This is less of a technical tip and more of a lived experience warning. Seed beads and curious pets are not a happy combination. Aloo once came far too close to creating what I can only describe as a beadwork weather event.

Use a bead mat, a tray with edges, or a shallow dish to keep your beads from escaping. Your vacuum cleaner will thank you.

More Seed Bead Jewelry Ideas

For more peyote stitch inspiration, visit our CraftGossip feature on 12 Free Peyote Beading Patterns. If you want another small internal project, the CraftBits Daisy Ring is a sweet little seed bead project that fits beautifully with this collection.

Peyote stitch rings are tiny projects, but they are full of charm. They let you practise bead weaving, use up small amounts of seed beads, and create something pretty enough to wear or gift. Whether you choose a heart ring, daisy ring, evil eye ring, or simple Delica band, these little peyote projects are proof that beadwork does not have to be big to feel special.