Tying a surgeon’s knot
This is the best knot when tying off stretchy cord.
1 Cross left end of cord over right end of cord, bring around once, then twice and pull.
2 Cross right end of cord over left end of cord and pull tight until knot catches.
3 Glue knot to seal and secure.
Marbled Splendor
These beads seem to combine the look of turquoise and aged brass, which can be seen in many lovely styles from Nepal and Tibet.
You will need…
5 28x18mm acrylic barrel beads with turquoise marbled finish
5 10mm matte black onyx rondelle beads
10 6mm antiqued gold-color metal rondelle spacer beads
12 inches (30 cm).8mm clear elastic cord
All you do is…
Tie a slipknot on one end of the cord.
1 Tie a slipknot on one end of the cord.
2 Thread beads in the following pattern and repeat 5 times:
1 6mm gold metal rondelle bead
1 10mm black onyx bead
1 6mm gold metal rondelle bead
1 marbled barrel bead
3 Pull out slipknot, tie a surgeon’s knot, and glue. Thread one tail of cord back through marbled barrel bead and pull until knot pops into bead. Trim excess cord.
Cinnabar Magic
For centuries the Chinese mixed the mineral cinnabar with lacquer in the making of all sorts of decorative and practical objects. Cinnabar is toxic and no longer in use, but the look is simulated though the use of polymers and resins, so we can still enjoy these prettily carved beads and pendants.
You will need…
7 17mm carved flat round red cinnabar beads
18 inches (45 cm) black curb chain (10x6mm links —approx. 15 links/10 cm)
12 inches (30 cm).8mm black elastic cord
All you do is…
1 Form a slipknot at one end of the cord.
2 Cut black chain into 7 lengths of 10 links.
3 Thread on 1 flat red bead. Thread on 10 links of black chain by weaving the cord in through one link and out the other.
4 Repeat step 3 until all chain and beads are used.
5 Pull out slipknot, tie a surgeon’s knot, and glue. When dry, trim excess cord.
Turquoise Cuff
Turquoise comes in many hues, from the bright sky blue we usually associate with this stone to greenish, even yellowish, tones. It’s a favorite in the jewelry of China, Tibet, India and other parts of the East.
You will need…
17 5x30mm turquoise 2-hole slider beads
34 5x4mm antiqued silver metal beads
24 inches (61 cm).8mm clear elastic cord
All you do is…
1 Cut the cord into 2 12-inch (30.5 cm) pieces. Tie a slipknot at one end of each.
2 Thread one cord through the top hole of a turquoise slider then through a silver metal bead. Continue threading through the top hole of turquoise beads with a silver bead between each.
3 Pull out slipknot, tie a surgeon’s knot, and glue.
4 Thread one tail of cord back through the silver metal bead and pull until knot pops into bead. Trim excess cord.
5 Repeat steps 2 through 3 for the bottom holes of the turquoise sliders (see diagram below).
Classy Ceramic
The large beads are what give this bracelet its Asian flavor— a bit of calligraphy, complete with a bright red stamp.
You will need…
6 12mm round hand painted ceramic beads with holes should be large enough to accommodate 5.8mm strands
60 6/0 opaque white seed beads
360 11/0 opaque black seed beads
70 inches (about 1.8 m).8mm black elastic cord strand
All you do is…
1 Cut the cord into 5 14-inch (36 cm) pieces. Tie a slipknot at one end of each.
2 On one piece of cord, thread beads in the following pattern and repeat 6 times.
1 white seed bead
10 black seed beads
1 white seed bead
1 hand painted ceramic bead
3 Pull out slipknot; tie a surgeon’s knot and glue.
4 Pass your next cord through a ceramic bead. Thread your seed beads in the same pattern as step 2, then pass your cord through the next ceramic bead, as shown.
5 Continue this pattern until you reach your starting ceramic bead. Pull out slipknot; tie a surgeon’s knot and glue.
6 Repeat with remaining 3 strands of cord, resulting in 5 strands of seed beads between each ceramic bead.
7 Be sure all knots have been glued, thread one tail of each strand of cord back through the ceramic bead and pull until knot pops into bead. Trim excess cord.
Exquisite Pearls
Pearls have been a mainstay of Asian jewelry for thousands of years. They come in many sizes and shapes, and in shades from purest white to pale pink to rainbow-hued. They add a little elegance to every project. It’s hard to go wrong with them.
You will need…
12 8mm deep pink glass pearl beads
36 8mm pale pink glass pearl beads
36 8mm cream glass pearl beads
6 10x6mm clear faceted glass rondelle beads
12 10x6mm silver faceted glass rondelle beads
3 12x10mm clear faceted glass rondelle beads
3 10mm clear faceted bicone beads
108 11/0 silver seed beads
108 silver-colored head pins
14 inches