Help
Project Info:
- 1 A New Leaf - Brass Button
- 1 Impressions - Brass Pendant (no longer available)
- 1 10 Yard Spool 4 Ply Butterscotch Irish Waxed Linen
- 1 10 Yard Spool 4 Ply Brick Irish Waxed Linen
- 1 10 Yard Spool 4 Ply Denim Irish Waxed Linen
- 1 Strand White Padres
- 1 Strand Shadows - Silver Plate
- 1 Pkg. Pony Express - Antique Silver
- 1 Tube GS Hypo Cement
- 1 A New Leaf - Brass Button
- 1 Impressions - Brass Pendant (no longer available)
- 1 10 Yard Spool 4 Ply Butterscotch Irish Waxed Linen
- 1 10 Yard Spool 4 Ply Brick Irish Waxed Linen
- 1 10 Yard Spool 4 Ply Denim Irish Waxed Linen
- 1 Strand White Padres
- 1 Strand Shadows - Silver Plate
- 1 Pkg. Pony Express - Antique Silver
- 1 Tube GS Hypo Cement
Level: Beginner
Estimated time: 6 Hours
By Beadshop Staff
Using a combination of braiding and floating techniques, Brittany has created a lighthearted necklace with the added surprise of bursting color. Because she chose to use three contrasting colors of waxed linen, her six strand necklace is both playful and artisan. She begins by braiding six strands and then separates each strand to float and braid with beads added. The design is simple but very effective. With the addition of a component, High Spirits goes from being just playful to truly artisan and personal.
Watch the video How to Make a Beaded Braid for project techniques and overview of this design. Finished length is approximately 18 inches, not including the added length of the pendant. Adjust materials for desired length.
Beaded Braid- High Spirits
Project Map
Separate your strands into three groups. One group will have four strands and the other two will have three strands each. Braid them about two inches and ready to separate them to braid and float. We recommend just a small dab of Hypo-tube Cement near the end of the braid before you begin braiding. This will just help keep the braids from coming loose later on. Just a small dab!
Braiding and Floating: You have watched the video and you have learned how to braid. You even know how to keep your beads on one side of the braid or the other. Floating beads in your design adds so much texture and is really easy to do. There are two ways to float on waxed linen. The top sample demonstrates stringing through the bead and then looping back through and pulling the linen tight. This is very easy with your larger holed beads. Just hold the bead in place as you tighten the linen. There is very little chance the linen will ever loosen and your beads move from where you place them.
The bottom sample shows how to knot on either side of a bead using a simple overhand knot. You really do not need to start fussing with tweezers to get these knots perfect. Just secure an overhand knot on the linen, slide your bead up to it and add another overhand knot to sit on the other side of the bead. With just a bit of practice, you will get them pretty close. Just make sure the beads will not slip over the knot. If they do, we recommend the looping style in the top sample. You can use both styles on the same strand. In this design, we just used the looping float.
You have watched the video and you have learned how to braid. You even know how to keep your beads on one side of the braid or the other. Floating beads in your design adds so much texture and is really easy to do. There are two ways to float on waxed linen. The top sample demonstrates stringing through the bead and then looping back through and pulling the linen tight. This is very easy with your larger holed beads. Just hold the bead in place as you tighten the linen. There is very little chance the linen will ever loosen and your beads move from where you place them
The bottom sample shows how to knot on either side of a bead using a simple overhand knot. You really do not need to start fussing with tweezers to get these knots perfect. Just secure an overhand knot on the linen, slide your bead up to it and add another overhand knot to sit on the other side of the bead. With just a bit of practice, you will get them pretty close. Just make sure the beads will not slip over the knot. If they do, we recommend the looping style in the top sample. You can use both styles on the same strand. In this design, we just used the looping float..