This project begins with a simple St. Petersburg chain, which is then embellished with seed bead loops and a pretty focal bead.  The carved bone rectangle and warm seed bead colors create the feel of a desert sunset.  Once you know the technique, you can create different looks by changing the length of the fringe, alternating colors, or using unique focal beads.

- Desert Flower Necklace, created by Mortira vanPelt of Inspirational Beading

Create a Toggle Clasp:

1. On about 1 yard of Fireline, attach a stop bead, leaving a 6 inch tail.
2. Create a panel of odd-count peyote stitch, using root beer seed beads.  The panel should be 13 beads high and 4 beads wide.
3. Fold the edges of the panel together, and use peyote stitch to zip up the sides, forming a tube.  Retrace the thread path and exit from the opposite end of the tube.
4. Pick up 3 ruby seed beads, and stitch down into the next seed bead in the tube.  Stitch up through the following root beer bead in the row.
5. Pick up 3 ruby seed beads, and stitch down through the remaining seed bead at the end of the tube. 
6. Stitch up through the next root beer bead in the tube, and the following ruby seed bead of the picot on top.
7. Pick up 1 ruby seed bead, and stitch down through the next picot, and into the tube.  Repeat on the other side.
8. Remove the stop bead, and thread a needle on the tail.  Repeat steps 4-7 to add picots to the other end of the tube.
9. Weave in the tail threads, and secure them with one or two half-hitch knots.  Pull the final knot into an adjacent bead, and trim the threads.

Necklace Base:

1. Cut 2.5 yards of Fireline, and secure a stop bead with a 10 inch tail.
2. Pick up 6 root beer seed beads, and slide them to the stop bead.  Stitch up through the 2 middle seed beads (the 3rd and 4th picked up), and pull tight.  This will form two stacks of beads in a P shape.
3. Pick up 1 root beer bead and stitch down through the top 3 seed beads in the longer stack from the previous step.  Pull the thread snug.
4. Pick up 1 yellow seed bead, and stitch up through the smaller, 2 bead stack.
5. Pick up 4 root beer beads, and stitch up through the first 2.  Pull tight.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 51 times.  Add the final yellow seed bead.
7. Pick up 36 root beer seed beads.  Stitch back down through the first 2, and continue down through the final stack of beads in the chain. 
8. Weave the remaining thread into the beadwork, tying a few half-hitch knots, and trim.
9. Repeat Steps 1-6 to create a second chain. 
10. After adding the final 8/0 bead, pick up 10 root beer beads, and stitch through a center bead in the peyote toggle.  Stitch back down through the 10 beads and into the chain.
11. Weave in the remaining thread.

Fringe:

1.  Attach a stop bead to about 3 yards of Fireline, leaving a 6 inch tail.  Stitch down through one of the chains, entering just below the clasp, and exit from the bottom of the last yellow 8/0.
2. Pick up 15 ruby seed beads, and stitch back up through the 8/0 bead.  Pull tight to form a loop.
3. Pick up 5 ruby seed beads, and stitch down through the next 8/0 seed bead in the chain.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3, making sure that the working thread exits behind the previous loops as you stitch.
5. Add the final loop of 15 ruby seed beads, and stitch up through the 8/0 and into the stack of root beer seed beads above it. 
6.  To connect the chains, stitch down through the first stack of root beer seed beads in the second chain, exiting from the bottom.  Do not weave in the thread.
7. Repeat Steps 1-6 for the other chain, making sure that the fringe is on the correct side.  The two chains should mirror each other.
8. Remove the stop beads from the tails at the clasps, and weave in the thread.  Retrace the thread path through the loop and toggle to add strength.  Trim the tails.

Attach the Focal:

1. Remove the original stop beads from both chains.  With one of the threads, pick up 2 root beer seed beads, one 8/0, the focal bead, one 8/0 and 2 root beer seed beads.
2. Skipping the last root beer seed bead, stitch back up through all of the beads just added, and up through the final stack of the opposite chain.
3. Weave in the remaining thread with a few half hitch knots.  Exit from the back of the beadwork and trim the thread.
4. Pick up each of the remaining threads one at a time, and retrace the thread path of the focal section.  Weave in the tails, and trim.

Tips:

Adding the scalloped fringe will cause the St. Petersburg chain to curve slightly.  Make sure that your tension is even throughout, and the finished chain will have a nice, smooth shape.

The seed bead fringe covers the 8/0 beads almost completely.  In this piece, they show up well because the ruby beads are transparent, and create a distinct contrast.  If your bead choices are similar in color or finish, the 8/0 beads will be hidden within the beadwork.

Materials and Tools Needed:
 
8g 11/0 transparent rootbeer seed beads
10g 11/0 transparent ruby seed beads
5g 8/0 opaque yellow seed beads
1 carved bone focal
12-15 yds. Fireline Crystal 6lb test

- Created by Mortira vanPelt of Inspirational Beading

The Lantern beads are one of my favorite styles, and I love combining silver and black.  I like to make earrings that can be worn for any occasion.  I think these earrings would look great with just about anything…think jeans and a black turtleneck, or a cocktail dress at a holiday party.  The lantern beads provide a sleek, sophisticated look, while the dangles add movement and a touch of whimsy, creating an elegant balance.

- Created by Lisa Hughes Iversen of Angel Whispers Jewelry

1.  Using a 2mm ball head pin, place on a 4mm black bicone, 4mm Bali spacer, and 2mm sterling silver round bead.
2. Bend the head pin over the top of the silver bead, using a flush cutter trim to 1/4″ and make a simple loop using a round nose pliers – repeat 5 times – for a total of 6 dangles.
3. Take an eye pin, open the loop with a chain nose pliers, slip on 3 of the dangles, close the loop, and repeat with the second eye pin.
4. Take one of the eye pins, place a starburst spacer, lantern bead, a starburst spacer, a 4mm black bicone, a 4mm flat Bali spacer, and a 2mm sterling silver round bead.
5. Hold the eye pin above the 2mm bead, using a flat nose pliers, bend the wire to a 90 degree angle – in the same direction as the bottom loop, trim to 1/4 ” and make a simple loop.
6. Repeat steps 5 & 6 with the second eye pin.
7. Slip completed earrings onto French Hook ear wires or your own handmade ear wires.

Materials and Tools Needed:
 
Sterling Silver Lantern Bead – 12mm – 2 pieces
Sterling Silver eye pins – 2 pieces
Sterling Silver ball head pins – 6 pieces
Swarovski Crystal bicone beads – jet black -  8 pieces
Spacers – 4mm Flat Bali – 8 pieces
Spacers – Starburst Bali spacers – 4 pieces
Sterling Silver round bead – 2mm – 8 pieces
Sterling Silver Earwire with 2 mm Ball, 21 Gauge, Pair
  or  Handmade Ear wires (SEE POST BELOW)
Round Nose Pliers
Chain Nose Pliers
Flush cutter

- Created by Lisa Hughes Iversen of Angel Whispers Jewelry

Auntie’s Beads frequently publishes projects put together by our designers which include photos, supply lists and step-by-step instructions to make unique finished pieces.  We would like to invite all of you to do the same here on Auntie’s Blog.  The best part is, we will include a promotional link to your site from the blog post.

How to Participate…

Send an email to projects@auntiesbeads.com with the following:

• Name of piece -  The name can be anything- someone your piece reminds you of (i.e. “Anna’s Earrings” or “Bracelet for Shelly”), a feeling your piece gives you (i.e. “Warm and Fuzzy Necklace” or “Earrings with a Wink”), pay tribute to a color that inspired you to make the piece (i.e. “Tantalizing Turquoise Earrings” or “Beautiful Blue Bracelet”), etc.  Sometimes it’s fun to make your name rhyme or use alliteration.  Just think of something you find catchy!
• Instructions –  Type detailed, step-by-step instructions to complete your piece. Be sure to include a list of all of the materials you used, including the number of each bead or jewelry component. Please be as detailed as possible; include what tools you used, lengths of beading wire, how to avoid possible problems while putting your piece together, etc.  For questions or help completing your instructions, email projects@auntiesbeads.com.  You can also find how we like things set up by browsing our Beading Projects.
• Photograph -  The photograph does not have to be the best quality since we will be taking our own picture of the piece once it gets shipped to us.  We will just need something to go by when reviewing the instructions and name of the piece.

Once we have received your information, we will notify you with shipping details.  Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to accept only what we deem as a quality project.  However, we are more than willing to work with you and help you modify the instructions to meet a certain standard.  That’s what we’re here for. 

Important

• Auntie’s Beads is not responsible for the shipping cost, however, will pay to have it shipped back to the sender. 
• Only projects exclusively using products from www.AuntiesBeads.com will be accepted.
• It is very possible that Auntie’s Beads will make some changes in the name and/or instructions of the piece, as well as add substitute materials to be used for project.  Contributors will be informed via email if such changes are to be made prior to publishing.

Again, pleased send questions to projects@auntiesbeads.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. 

We are VERY excited to see what our Auntie’s Beaders come up with…
Thanks for reading and participating!