You need per bead:
•   6mm Pearl rounds – x4
•   4mm Crystal Bicones – x8
•   Seedies (In complementing colours)

You can substitute the main beads for different sizes – as long as there is a maximum of 2mm in size difference between the round beads and bicones, they will sit well together.

You start building the bead by using Right Angle Weave (double thread stringing method)

1: 30cms of string should suffice! String the first pearl bead, taking it to the centre of the thread – and making sure both ends of the line is of the same length.
2: Continue by adding 1 bicone on each end of the string,
3: Add on another pearl bead and cross both lines through.
4: Continue by adding 1 bicone on each end of the string,
5: Add on another pearl bead and cross both lines through.
6: Again adding 1 bicone on each end of the string,
7: Add on another pearl bead and cross both lines through.
8: Finally the last 2 bicones
9: Once complete – string the strings back through bead #1 and pull tight.

(Ensure that the string on the right side, enters bead #1 from the right side, and that the string on the left side enters bead #1 from the left side – otherwise you will get a tangled string.)    

When the bead is now bunched together, you start to see the base of the bead.

Now it is time to embellish it with seedies. The quantity of seed beads does depend on the size of seed beads that you want to use (I personally try to keep them as small as possible) and it also depends on what size you have used for your main pearl beads.

1: String on each side seed beads so when they meet together, they meet in the middle of the big pearl beads comfortably.

2: When they meet in the middle, you use 1 bead to thread both strings through (see red bead) and you work your way out again to the next pearl bead so it forms an “X” and then the ends thread through the next main bead. Repeat another 3 times around the bead!

See, now you have it! 

What I do to finish off, I use the remaining strings to thread through the bicones once again, with half-hitch knots inbetween. Then once finished, cut it short with a dab of glue :)

Please show pictures in our readers gallery / forum if you make any! Would love to see them!

Written by :

Nicola