Making Peyote Heart Cuff Bracelets

Tuesday, September 23

My favorite part of the day is deciding what to work on. As you know I am trying to use my existing craft supplies and stay out of craft stores. And since I love peyote beading that is what I have been doing. No surprise there!! LOL!!

Always on the lookout for something new and different, I found a heart online and plotted it out on peyote graph paper. So that is what I have been making… heart bracelets. I wish there was a way to make the heart rounder.

Next I am going to do a few with hearts facing in opposite directions. Making these bracelets should be fast and easy but with the irregular shapes and sizes of seed beads, each bead has to be examined before I use it. That part takes forever. But I would rather do that than be unhappy with the outcome.

I learned something new while making these bracelets. Decrease peyote stitch. It was easy. I used it for all of these bracelets. I like how the ends look finished. The “high” beads aren’t sticking out.

I am using size 8/0 seed beads. In the colors I have. I could bead all year and still not make a dent in my seed bead stash.

Supplies Used for the Clasp

• 6mm & 7mm sterling silver jump rings 18 gauge
• Swarovski crystal donut rings
• Bar with crystal ends
• Crystal heart charms
• 6mm silver plated jump rings 20 gauge
• Silver plated toggle clasp

Persian Pearl Bracelet Photos

Tuesday, September 23

Here are pictures of the bracelet I made in class at toocutebeads on Saturday.

Bracelet center was created using beadweaving and the strap was made with stringing wire. There is a crystal Rivoli in the center. It is hard to see. (My pictures aren’t that great.) Many, many crystals were used. Even crystals you can’t even see. On the underside.

Though this is stunningly beautiful, I doubt I can afford to make a second one… due to that aforementioned supply list.

Time To Reward Myself…Signed Up For Class

Friday, September 19

My September No Spend Month for craft supplies is a HUGE success!! I am happy to report I haven’t spent one cent. Not one single penny so far this month on craft supplies. In fact I am having fun working with stuff previously just sitting around.

So… to reward myself I signed up for a bracelet class tomorrow, Saturday 9-20. The bracelet is called Persian Pearl and it is really a stunner. Perfect for the holidays. The class sample looks really detailed so I am hoping I will be able to finish it during class time. I am going to take lots of notes.

I have to buy supplies for the class tomorrow but considering the bucks saved from No Spend Month last month plus this month, I have more than enough saved up.

Photos to follow.

Will You Go To Craft Shows This Season?

Thursday, September 18

Autumn. Fall. Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas.

Time to think of something other than doom and gloom found in the media. Being a crafter, I am thinking about upcoming holidays. And this year’s craft shows.

So far I have submitted my application for two shows in November and am looking for more shows close to home to exhibit my jewelry.

I know it will be tough competing with gasoline and grocery dollars. Gas for the car. Food on the table. New bracelet around your wrist. It’s a no brainer.

But… I like creating jewelry and hope the budget conscious buyers will stop and linger at my table.

Are any of you planning to exhibit in shows this fall and winter?

I Have Gone Peyote Cuff Bracelet Crazy!!

Wednesday, September 17

While going through my beading supplies trying to decide what to work on next, I came across two unfinished bracelet “baggers”.

Meaning they didn’t end up matching the picture floating around in my brain so they were bagged and forgotten about. And as soon as I saw them, an idea popped into my head. This time I knew exactly how to finish them.

Add buttons!!

I loved how they turned out so I made TWO MORE. This color is called Root Beer.

Then I made even more…. in green, brown and lavender.

The lavender leaf charm bracelet looks really nice on top of the cuff bracelet. Two bracelets worn together. Sounds weird but oh so cute. I learned how to make the peyote leaves in class at toocutebeads.

See… I told you I had gone cuff bracelet crazy.

Peyote Beading and Following a Graph Design

Wednesday, September 17

Slow going. Really slow.

I saw a bracelet in one of my craft books and wanted to try it. BUT… being the “can peyote in my sleep” type of beader, I never attempted it since I would have to plot it out first on graph paper. And then follow it!!

Yesterday I decided to go for it.

I searched online and found several sites with peyote graphs. Coloring the circles with marker pens was the easiest part. Following it and staying the course proved a bit harder. I read all the tips and tricks on how to follow a design. I found simply drawing a line through the row after completing it helped some but talk about eyes going crossed!! It was really slow. What should have taken about an hour took 2 1/2 hours.

Right now it measures 7″. I haven’t decided how to finish it off. I am leaning toward adding a pretty flat large light green button on one end and making a simple beaded loop. Or I may add a barrel sliding clasp. I like it and plan to make another one using this pattern. Then I am going to be brave and create my own design.

Bracelet was created using flat even count peyote. Base row of 12 beads. Then I added one single row of brick stitch so I could continue the green color at the bottom. Original pattern only had green beads on one edge. I also added the trees on the left and right. I do that a lot, change up stuff as I work.

Supplies used:
8/0 seed beads in bronze, root beer and light green
Nymo thread
Size 12 beading needle

More photos.

Working With Wood… Flowers and Beads

What would YOU make with these?

This is what I made.

I learned how to make the peyote leaves in class at toocutebeads.

Set in Black… Peyote Leaf Necklace and Earrings

Monday, September 8

I made this black peyote leaf necklace and earring set shortly after learning how to make the leaves in class at toocutebeads last month. I like working with fishing line but if the ball on the end is not large enough, the whole thing falls apart on the first good yank.

I used 6/0 black seed beads for the base necklace and embellished with 11/0 tarnished silver Toho seed beads. Black Diamond 6mm round Swarovski crystals were used in this set.

Earrings were made using Bali sterling silver ear wires.

I am wondering what other creations I can use fishing line for. My instructor (Rose) said it holds beads tighter. Maybe I will try it with some of my other things to see how it holds up.

Do any of you use it when making jewelry?

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I learned the technique for making this set at toocutebeads.

Pictures of Peyote Leaf Necklace Made in Class

Monday, September 8

Better late than never, don’t you think.

These are the photos of the necklace I made in class last month. It matches the earrings I posted earlier. Made with bronze colored E beads (6/0 seed beads) for the base and embellished with 11/0 seed beads. Also 6 and 8mm round Swarovski topaz crystals were used.

All leaves were made first and then the necklace was constructed using the “increase” peyote stitch. This was my first time doing an increase and it was easy to learn.  The challenge was learning to work with fishing line and pulling it tight enough to firmly keep the beads in place.

And in case you forgot how the earrings look… (I changed the earring hooks.)

Here’s the set together.

I really enjoyed making these leaves so much that I made about 50 more. Pictures to follow.

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I learned how to make this set in class at toocutebeads.

September is Pot Pourri Month

Tuesday, September 2

August is gone. History. And with it went my least productive craft month. I guess that will teach me not to select something which my heart really wasn’t all that into. It is not that I don’t enjoy sewing. I do, but only when necessary.

September is supposed to be Crochet or Knitting Month but I wasn’t able to line up any classes.  I searched locally and online but came up empty.  There is still a chance I will find someone to teach me. I will continue my search. I purchased some books and probably could teach myself but I am a hands on type of gal. I need to see it with my own eyeballs being done by a human before I catch on. 

So… what will I do for September?  Anything I want.

September is going to be a free for all month. Anything goes. A little bit of this. A little bit of that. Some macrame. Maybe I will embroider something afterall. For sure beadwork and stringing beads. And making peyote leaves. Since learning how to make them in class last month I am hooked.  And I will be using existing craft supplies.  

My No Spend Month for August was a success so I am going to continue it for September. My plan was to spend zero dollars on craft supplies for the entire month of August.  To be creative, use what was on hand and rein in my out of control spending habits.  I have to fess up and tell you I did spend some. A small amount. Just $33.20. For me, that is a gold medal moment. 

I really didn’t NEED the supplies I purchased but I had been waiting for a sale.  Getting them half off was too good to pass up. I actually SAVED money.

This should be a fun month. Do check back often to see what I make.