Beaded Bead

Here is a beaded bead that I did from a Bead and Button Pattern - (By Gwen Fisher and Florence Turnour, page 72, Aug.06, Issue 72).

The authors have a great website called Bead Infinitum, with their specialty being beaded beads. They have a couple of free patterns on the site, and lots of inspiration.

This one is made over a 1 cm wooden bead. I painted the wooden bead with nail polish - 2 coats. Hint - I ended up placing the wooden bead on a q-tip minus the cotton to handle it more easily.

I like the pattern, however I don't think the colours I used show it off enough. Because multiple colours are used, you have to make it once to understand where the colours end up. I think I will make a template that I can colour for the next one before I start.

Pendant a la Takako Samejima

I love the books by Takako Samejima from Japan, although they are challenging technically. In particular, most use 2 needle technique, which I have found fairly challenging. I did find a tutorial at bead-patterns.com in which some tips are explained for manipulating the 2 needles. (Pattern 10383 by Chris Prussing). Bead-patterns.com is a great site if you haven't seen it, and all patterns are downloadable immediately after payment.

This pendant was adapted from an earring pattern on page 34 of bead fantasies. I used glass perals and swarovskis, and number 10 seed beads. I have made a few of these for little gifts to give my daughter Tegan and my son's girlfriend Liana. They are quick to work up and look great on any small link chain.
There are 4 Bead Fantasy books, all available on Amazon or Chapter's.

The bail is just ladder stitch with 2 bead rows, then go back with number 15's and add a small picot of three beads.