As part of my continuous learning process I constantly try other people’s patterns. Not every pattern I try, runs smoothly till the end.
Today I would like to share an idea I adopted from Elena Hellenca’s tutorial for a pendant called “Sunny”. She did a great job creating a lovely pattern and including a photo for each step of a process.
I was very motivated to make this pendant as soon as I found it. However, following her instructions, I ended up with too many ruffles. My pendant did not look round and flat at all.
What do you do when the pattern you are working on is not coming out as perfect as you expected?
Just this morning I came across a beautiful and motivational post saying
“There is always a way if you’re committed!”
I sat down and thought, what exactly could cause my problem? Did I read the instructions carefully? Did I miss a bead, did I count beads right? Shortly after checking all the possibilities, I realized, that the beads I chose for this project, could be slightly larger than the beads recommended in the tutorial.
Just recently I have published an earring pattern, for which I recommended to use certain kind of seed beads. After making several attempts following my own pattern and creating a pair of earrings using different kinds of seed beads from my collection, I realized, that the art of beadwork is very much attached to the exact dimensions of the bead. This could be the reason why “Sunny” pendant pattern wasn’t working for me.
I was determined to make at least two pendants to complement silk ribbons I already had in my possession . I recalculated and refit my beads well enough to form a round pendant without too many ruffles.
Here is the result: first part of Elena’s tutorial translated to English and my changes added started from Step 10. .
For my pendant I used 14 mm Swarovski Rivoli crystal, #11 Delica beads, three colors of #15 seed beads and two colors of #11 Japanese seed beads.
I translated Elena’s part of the tutorial: Step 1 – 9. Every step is related to each photo illustration provided on her page. You need to be familiar with Peyote stitch and netting stitch to complete this pattern. In the beginning only Peyote stitch is used. Then watch for my note about netting stitch in Step 11.
Step 1
Leaving a long piece of thread, pick up 36 Delica beads. Form a circle by passing first Delica bead you picked up. (I chose to leave a short piece of thread, just enough to be able to weave back and forth and hide the thread later. I also made a knot to secure the circle).
Step 2
Using Delica beads, complete second row.
Step 3
Completed one row (third) using #15 beads.
Step 4
Complete another row (forth) using #15 beads.
Step 5
In fifth row still using Pyeote stitch you will add one #15 bead and then skip one. Continue and finish the row. Then place Rivoli back side facing the finished row. (photo mine)
Step 6
For this step the original instructions tell you to use the tail of the thread you left when starting the pattern. I used my working thread and simply passed through several beads diagonally to prepare the thread for finishing another side of the Rivoli. Make sure the thread is coming out of one of the beads in the top peyote row – the first circle of beads you started with.
Using #15 beads, complete two rows using peyote stitch. I used two different colors of #15 beads for these two rows.
Pull tightly!
In one of the versions of this pendant I used Delica beads that din’t quite form the right size of a bezel around the crystal. Two rows of #15s wouldn’t seem to be enough to hold the crystal. If this happens to you, do what I did: add one more row of Delica beads before you wrap the crystal with last couple of rows of #15s.
As you see, the design remained intact.
Step 7
Starting from this step you will build lacy structure around your bezeled Rivoli.
Pass your thread diagonally through several beads until you reach the center row of Delica beads and pass through one of the beads in that row.
Step 8
Using peyote stitch and Delica beads complete one row.
Step 9
Using #15 beads add two beads in between Delica beads added in the previous step (row).
From this point I added my own sequence of steps to create this pendant.
Step 10
Add three #15 beads passing each Delica bead. At the end of the row pass through two #15 beads you added in the beginning to prepare for the next row.
Step 11
I used netting stitch for following rows. Don’t pull too tight!
Add one #15 bead, one Delica and one more #15 bead. Pass through the next middle #15 bead in the three-bead segment of the previous row.
Step 12
Add one #15 bead, one #11 bead of the first color and one more #15 bead. Pass through next Delica bead in the three-bead segment of the previous row. Continue until you complete the row. At the end of the row, pass through #15 bead and #11 bead you have added in the beginning of this row.
Step 13
Add one #15 bead, one #11 bead of the second color and one more #15 bead. Pass through next #11 bead of first color in the middle of three-bead segment of the previous row. Continue until you complete the row. At the end of the row pass through first three beads you have added in the beginning of this row.
Step 14
Add two #15 beads. Pass through next three beads in the previous row. Repeat until you complete the row. At the end of the row pass through first #15 bead you have added in the beginning of this row.
Step 15
Add one #15 bead, pass through next #15 bead of the previous row, add three #15 beads, pass through next #15 bead of the previous row. Repeat until you complete the row.
Step 16
Bail
Pass through first #15 bead and three-bead segment you have added in the last row. Add one #15 bead, pass through next and add one #15 bead again. Flip your work and continue beading using peyote stitch and adding two bead per row. The length of this peyote strip will depend on the stringing material you would like to use for this pendant. Connect two ends of the peyote strip and join them by weaving through several times.
Step 17
Hide both ends of the thread.
Step 18
Wear your pendant and share the love!
Happy beading!
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