Bugle Bead Earrings – Free Beading Pattern

 

BUGLE BEAD EARRINGS

 

 

 

 

 

Bugle Bead Earrings

Free Beading Pattern by Augenia (Jenny) Lawson

These earrings are made from two different beaded beads. One uses peyote stitch with bugle beads, while the other is a small beaded ball made using right-angle weave. The two pieces are joined together to create an interesting and unusual earring.

Materials

• 50 cm fine fishing line or beading thread

• 60 cm stiffer fishing line

• Beading needle

• Size 10/0 (2 mm) seed beads

• Bugle beads

• Size 8/0 (3 mm) beads

• 2 earring hooks

• 20-gauge wire

• Round-nose pliers

• Wire cutters

• Chain-nose pliers

BUGLE BEAD

This is worked in peyote stitch using a needle and fine thread.

Step 1: Start by threading on a stop bead and make the first step of a square knot, leaving a 10 cm tail. This will be removed later and is just there to keep the work from falling off.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Thread on 1 seed bead, 1 bugle, 2 seed beads, 1 bugle and 1 more seed bead. This is the first row.

Step 3: Thread on 1 seed bead, then miss both the first 2 seed beads, and go into the next bugle on the first row. Pick up another seed bead, miss the next seed bead, then go into the next seed bead of the first row. Add a bugle, then go into the last seed bead. You have just made the first part of the second row.

Step 4: Thread on 1 seed bead and go into the next bugle, pick up one seed bead and go into the next seed bead. Pick up one bugle and go into the last seed bead. You have now finished the second part of the second row.

Every row, apart from the first, has two parts, each part misses a bead in between, and then the next part fills in the gaps.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5: Continue using this method, following the lines and arrows in the image, until you have 4 complete rows. The image shows the whole piece, all rows included.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6: Fold the beading in half, and join together zigzagging across the different sides as in the image. Now the working thread should be coming out of a bead next to the tail thread, tie these two threads together using a square knot.

Step 7: To reinforce the work, I like to run the thread back through the work by going across the work in a diagonal line and back again several times. Cut thread. The beaded bugle bead is made.

SMALL BEADED BALL BEAD

This is created using right-angle weave, using both ends of a stiffer thread and no needle.

Use size 8/0 beads for this part.

 

 

 

Step 1: Use 60 cm of thread, thread on 4 beads, and cross one thread through the last bead on the other side, as in the image. This will form a ring of 4 beads. Centre the beads in the ring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Add 2 beads on one thread, and 1 bead on the other. Pass the thread back through the last bead on the other side, as shown by the bead with the green outline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: Repeat step 2, so you now have three rings joined together. Add only one bead on each side, then pass both threads back through the very first bead, shown in green outline.

Step 4: You now have a small ring of beads. Each opening of the ring has 4 beads to it. Using the same threads, thread through these 4 beads and back through the first one. Do this on both sides. Pass the threads through the work until they meet somewhere, and tie them off using a square knot. Work the ends through some beads, adding a couple of half-hitch knots along the way, then cut the thread. You now have a small beaded ball.

CLOVER HEAD PINS

You’ll need round-nosed pliers to make these.

These head pins are worked in four steps.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1: thread your bugle beaded bead onto the wire, while still attached to the spool. Using the round nosed pliers, curl the end of the wire around one of the jaws of the pliers, close to the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Now use the jaw to create another loop, forming a figure 8 on the opposite side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: Create the last loop in the center, and bend the end down at the back. Bring the bead to the clover shape, leave 1 cm and cut the wire.

Step 4: Wrap the end of the wire around the round-nosed pliers to create a single loop. Use the pliers in the center of the loop at the join, and bend back a little to center the loop.

 

 

 

SINGLE EYEPINS

Step 1: Thread the beaded ball bead onto the wire, while still attached to the spool. Using the round-nosed pliers, curl the end of the wire around one of the jaws of the pliers, close to the end. Use the pliers in the center of the loop at the join, and bend back a little to center the loop.

Step 2: Cut the wire 1 cm after the beaded ball, and make another loop. Bend it to center it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Now you need to join it all together. Open the top wire loop of the bugle bead by bending the end to the back. Do not open it by bending it outwards, as this can ruin the shape of the loop. Attach it to the loop from the beaded ball, then close it again.

Open the top loop of the beaded ball the same way, attach the earring hook, and close it.

You have now made one earring. Repeat the steps above to make the second earring.

VARIATIONS: There are many possibilities for variations. You can change the size of the bugle bead by adding more rows, or add extra seed beads on the ends. You can leave out, or use a different type of beaded ball. Or change the order they are attached in.

Created by Augenia (Jenny) Lawson

For any questions, email me at: hello@craftcove.au

You are welcome to sell finished earrings made from this pattern, but please do not mass produce items made with this pattern.

Please do not distribute, lend or copy this pattern.

Copyright © 2016 Augenia (Jenny) Lawson