6. Apply paste to the top surface of the two sail-shaped tabs of one unit. Slide the two units together with the paste in-between the tabs of both units.
7. The completed Square Bead.
Methods for Mounting Square Beads
1. Insert the beading string or a suitable wire space-holder at step 4 on page 12. This may be done to one or both units. (A double strand is more secure and may help to prevent twisting of the beads while wearing.)
2. Square Bead on string. The result of this method is that the dividing line between the two units will be in line with the string.
1. Alternately, the Square Bead units may be strung with a needle and cord, piercing the folded corner at what was once the center of the square sheet.
2. Apply paste to the tabs just before sliding the units together.
3. The result of this method is that the dividing line between the two units will be perpendicular to the string.
Yet another way to string Square Beads is through the center, perpendicular to the face. There will be a natural space available for use just before the two units are fully joined.
An eye pin may be glued into place between the double layers at any of the four corners.
A bent wire may also be glued into the double layer of any of the four corners. This is one of the most secure methods of adding a mounting loop to the Square Bead.
Bead Caps
Designed by Michael G. LaFosse from traditional bases
Bead Caps are used for decorative contrast, setting an additional right triangle perpendicular to those two displayed in the Square Bead. It may also serve to secure one or two corners of a Square Bead for mounting purposes, and to add more colors and shapes to a piece of jewelry consisting of several Square Beads.
Here we present several styles of Bead Caps: Triangle, Square, Pentagon, and Fiesta (see facing page). You may develop more variations on your own; experimenting with different sizes of Bead Caps will alter the look. Thinner papers usually produce the best looking Bead Caps.
1. Begin with the display side up. Valley-fold in half, bottom corner to top. Unfold. Turn over and rotate 45 degrees.
2. Valley-fold in half, edge to edge both ways, unfolding after each. Rotate 45 degrees.
3. Valley-fold the top and bottom corners to meet at the center, where the creases intersect.
4. Use the existing creases to collapse the form, moving the left and right corners to the bottom.
5. Valley-fold the bottom corners up, tucking them inside the paper, forming two triangle-shaped interior tabs.
6. Fit one corner of a Square Bead into the Bead Cap. Use the two interior tabs of the Bead Cap to align the pieces, fitting them into the corner pockets of the Square Bead. Use a little glue or paste to secure the cap permanently.
7. The completed Triangle Bead Cap on a Square Bead.
Bead Cap Variations
Here is the Pentagon Bead Cap (see the folding method described in the sidebar). See page 26 for a Fish-Shaped Bead that showcases this cap.
Square Bead Cap: Omit the corner folds at step 3, and then proceeding to collapse the shape and fold the two tabs inside. Attach as in step 6.
Fan-folding the free corner of a Square Bead Cap makes a lovely triangle pattern, called “Fiesta.” This is especially effective when using paper that is colored differently on each side.
Pentagon Bead Cap
1. Fold Triangle Bead Cap steps 1 and 2; at step 3, fold the top and bottom corners only to the level indicated by the crease-ends, marked by the “X” arrowhead in the diagram.
2. Use the existing creases to collapse the form, moving the left and right corners to the bottom.
3. Valley-fold the bottom corners up, tucking them inside the paper, forming two triangle-shaped interior tabs.
4. The completed Pentagon Bead Cap, attached to a square bead using the method demonstrated in step 6.
Square Bead Mounting Covers
Designed by Michael G. LaFosse from traditional bases
A blintzed square is attached to the outside of a Square Bead. It may be calculated to cover the Square Bead exactly or it may be folded from larger paper that will solidly frame a Square Bead. Structurally, Square Beads are sturdier with Mounting Covers, and the covers provide a handy way to conceal a wire or a string. Mounting Covers allow you to feature a design or pattern of the paper without interrupting creases. They also help secure the other two halves of the Square Bead.