QUICK MAKE
PILLAR EARRINGS
Follow the super simple project below and learn how to make delicate seed bead tubes.
Get all the materials you need at - www.beadsdirect.co.uk/projects/pillar-earrings
>> CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOURS <<
STEP 1 Take a length of thread and form a stop bead by stringing a single bead. Go through it a second time taking care that you don’t pierce the thread. Tighten the thread so it’s firm but check that it can still slide along the thread as it is will be removed at the end. Position the bead 20cm from the end. Pick up an even number of beads that will form the length of your pillar. Push them down to the stop bead.
STEP 2 Begin the next row by picking up a single bead. Skip a bead and go through the last but one bead strung in the previous step. Pull the thread through so that this new bead sits next to the last bead.
STEP 3 Pick up a single bead. Skip a bead and go through the next. Repeat this method to the end of the row. Finish the row by going through the first bead strung in step 1, not including your stopper bead.
You’ve now formed three rows.
STEP 4 Begin the next row by picking up a single bead. Go through the last bead strung in the previous step. Continue along the row in this way filling the gaps between the beads in the previous row. Add further
rows in the same way until your design is 4 beads across. This is the right size to wrap around a headpin and making into a pillar earring.
STEP 5 Your piece will look like the 4th image. In the final image, we have made two halves of the piece you have made, shown laid flat so you can see where to sew up the two sides of your tube. The beads on either side should slot together and then you can weave your thread between them to zip up the gap. When you reach the end, remove the stopper bead and weave your threads into the beadwork and secure it with knots along the way. Trim off the excess threads when you are done.
Finally, thread your tube onto a headpin and loop the top to attach to an earwire. You can add a larger bead onto the top and base of the headpin as you can see on the gold earring above.
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