Guten Tag!

Guten Tag Everybody!

Wow, how's that song go again..."what a long strange trip it's been?"  Indeed it has been, but a good sort of strange.  I'm in Germany and I've eaten so much cheese, chocolate and gummy bears.  What a combo, but do you blame me?  I'll pass on the German Chinese restaurants, thanks.  The podclass for this show features a technique...beaded decodedrons?!?!  My present to all you lovely beaders out there.  The grow pendant had to take a back seat in the tram, but I'll get back to that as soon as I get home.  Gallery hopping, podsafe music, talking to strangers, the most special cake and more... xo-Candie

ps.  email me your thoughts and comments:  candieATcandiecooperDOTcom 

Big thanks again to all of you that emailed..keep em' coming!  I don't feel nearly as lonely!  :-)

Spiele or Play this Show

Special Cake I tell you!

GALERIE CEBRA=Wonderful Schmuck (jewelry)

PODSAFE MUSIC!

Automat=Sie hat die besten Jahre noch vor sich

Justin Winokur=Just Go Out with Me

Smallfish=Thank You

Today's Pod-Class=BEADED BEADS! 

 

I warn you these are addicting to make.  They will be spilling out of your pockets, purses, drawers etc....  I warn you!  Now have fun!

Materials-

• 30 beads of any shape and size (just be sure the hole in the bead is big enough for the cord to pass through twice)
• good quality nylon cord
• bit of glue

Here goes nothing:

Cut 20" of cord and double it over so the ends meet and string 5 beads onto the left end/side of the tail.

Thread the right end of the cord through the 5th bead in the opposite direction that the left tail is going-I call this a 'cross'.

Pull the two ends snug so it makes a star in the middle of your bead cluster.

String 4 beads onto the left tail.

But on the 4th bead thread the right tail through in the opposite direction that the left tail is going (I call this a cross).

 

Look carefully at the orientation here.  At the top is the original 5 beads and in my fingers is the 4 beads.  The right cord comes out and goes into the bead directly to the right of it.

This is how it should look.  Notice how the cord looks like it is going through two beads side by side.

String 3 beads onto the left tail.

And cross the right tail through the 3rd bead.

And the right tail goes through the bead directly to the right of it again.

**Repeat the last three steps TWO more times so that you will have a total of 4 clusters around your central star at this point. 

Now run your right tail through the two beads to the right of the bead where the right tail comes out (as seen in picture) and string 2 beads onto the left tail.

Cross the right tail through the 2nd bead and pull the two ends snug.

This completes the top half of the bead, making sort of a dome shape.  Deep breath, let's push on!

The right tail goes through the bead just next to it.

String 3 beads onto the left tail.

Right tail goes through the 3rd bead, making the cross.

Now this time, the right tail goes through not one but TWO beads to the right of it!

String 2 beads on the left tail.

Right tail crosses through the second bead.

**Repeat the last the last three steps TWO more times!  We're almost there!!!!

Now, do you see that tiny gap....and notice you have one bead left? 

String the remaining bead on the left tail.

This is where it gets a little confusing, but I think you will understand the idea.  The left tail with the bead on it goes across and through the bead on the left, then it keeps going through the remaining 3 beads in the cluster of 5.  Same goes for the right tail except it goes through the right side, opposite the left.  Remember that the cord should make a triangle at each bead junction and the cord must pass through each bead twice.  Tie the tails in a knot where they meet up. 

Trim the ends and dot the knot with some glue to secure.  Yay!  We made it!

Please, please, please let me know if you try to make these and the pattern has a glitch.  I've checked over it, but I need a proof-reader so to speak!  And also, if you make something with these, send me a picture of the finished project and I'll make a little flickr galleria so we can all enjoy each others jewels.  projectsATcandiecooperDOTcom

Thanks again for stopping by.  Have a great week!

Comments

[dindi]

Great tutorial thank you so much :)

one tip tho if i may :

mentioning what size the beads u use are would save (me at least) a lot of time and effort since the number of beads needed for it has to do with the size of the beads

[John]

Great tutorial, I think the best one I have seen on these designs. The pictures make it really easy to understand. Thanks!

[Stacey]

Wow. I learned how to make these beaded balls from a drawn paper instruction sheet. I love your photo tutorial. You've done a wonderful job! You can make tiny ones with Swarovski 3mm bicone crystals. They are so sparkly and cute! They make great cell phone charms!

[Claudia]

Lovely beaded beads tutorial, I am certainly going to give it a go.
The cake looks delicious, was it Schwarzwalder Kirsch?
Love from Holland.
Claudia.