Friday, March 27, 2015

Free Beading Pattern: Peyote Fan Earrings



PEYOTE FAN EARRINGS
  • 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Brown Bronze Matte" (457P)
  • 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Brown Bronze Matte" (457P)
  • 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Brown Bronze Matte" (457P)
  • 8/0 seed beads Toho "Matte Cassiopeia" (708)
  • 5mm brass corrugated beads (Hobby Lobby)

I made some minor changes to the final version of this pattern since I last blogged about these earrings. I decided that I preferred not to have the accent color beads go all the way to the edge of the earring. So, I add 8/0 main color seed beads on the outer edge of each of the accent color rows and they form an outline or border around the accent color. I also moved the accent color rows up to the top of the 8/0 bead rows and I add two rows of the color rather than just one. Of course you can alter the placement of the beads as you like.

It does make a difference in the outcome if you use Fireline rather than Nymo B thread. Both will work but Nymo B doesn't give the work enough structure. You'll get tighter stitching if you use Fireline and the earrings will be firmer and not as soft and flexible as with Nymo B thread.

I'm trying something a little different with this pattern. Because there are nine pages of step-by-step photos in the illustrated PDF file, I'm making a 2-page text version available as well. If you have a tablet or Kindle-type device, you could view the photo version on that and print out the text version. It's up to you how you'd like to view the pattern but this gives you the option of saving on paper and ink. Feel free to download either or both versions.




  • 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Duracoat Galvanized Light Pewter" (4221)
  • 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Duracoat Galvanized Light Pewter" (4221)
  • 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Duracoat Galvanized Light Pewter" (4221)
  • 8/0 seed beads Toho "Higher Metallic Matte Blue Haze" (512F)
  • 4mm round crystals "Sage AB" (Chinavoski)

  • 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
  • 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
  • 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
  • 8/0 seed beads Toho "Opaque Avocado Pink Marbled" (1209)
  • 4mm druks "Opaque Sky Blue Picasso"



  • 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Duracoat Galvanized Pewter" (4222)
  • 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Duracoat Galvanized Pewter" (4222)
  • 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Duracoat Galvanized Pewter" (4222)
  • 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Matte Silver Lined Pale Rose" (23F)
  • 4mm bicones "Pale Bittersweet" (Chinavoski)

  • 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Brown Bronze Matte" (457P)
  • 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Brown Bronze Matte" (457P)
  • 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Brown Bronze Matte" (457P)
  • 8/0 seed beads Matsuno "Avocado Iris" (F460V)
  • 4mm antique brass beads (Hobby Lobby)

Click HERE to download the illustrated version of the pattern
Click HERE to download the text version of the pattern


If you like this tutorial, please consider making a voluntary donation through PayPal using the DONATE button on the right.

NOTE: I don't mind if you sell the projects that you make with my patterns, but please mention that you got the pattern from Linda's Crafty Inspirations. Please contact me for information about teaching this or any of our patterns in a class.




TIP: I mentioned in the tutorial that it may be necessary to take some shortcuts when you reach the point where it's too hard to get your needle through the beads at the top of the earring. However, I don't tell you exactly where to take the shortcuts because there is no right or wrong way to do it. I just try to find a spot that will allow me to loop back around through the seed beads so that the thread doesn't show. Below is an example showing how I would take a shortcut to weave around and reverse direction to start adding the next row of beads.




At the stage that you see in the photo, I had just added the second row of pink 8/0 seed beads along the edge and then I had gone up and around through the 8/0 bead, the metal bicone and the other 8/0 bead at the top. Pretend that my thread is coming out of the 8/0 seed bead just after the bicone and I have already gone down through all of those bronze beads on the outer edge just before the pink beads. I had added the second row of pink beads and was just coming up through the two 8/0 bronze beads on the right hand side. Instead of continuing up through the rest of the outer beads and going up around through the top of the earring again, I would come out of the 11/0 bead just above the second 8/0 bronze bead on the outside edge. Then, I would go to the left of that 11/0 bead and down through the 15/0 bead next to it. I then would double back over to the outer row and down through the 8/0 bead just below the 11/0 where I originally came out. From there I can continue on through the second 8/0 bronze bead and then start adding the beads that will make the next row.
 

I find that if I do this carefully enough, it doesn't matter which side of the earring I take the shortcut from because the thread is well hidden between the beads. Because the beads are stacked like bricks with peyote stitch, it's quite easy to hide the thread in this manner.

So, don't struggle to get your needle through those tight spots at the top because it's not necessary once you've got enough of a foundation of beads to weave around through. I generally don't start taking shortcuts until I've reached about this point in the tutorial. I've never had trouble getting through the top beads every time until I've added at least one row of 8/0 beads when I use 6 pound FireLine. If you've got 4 pound FireLine, you might even be able to go around the top beads a few more times but there's no sense in doing that when taking a shortcut is easier and saves thread too.



83 comments:

  1. Thank you so much!! I have been waiting (none too patiently) for you to finish this pattern. It is a lovely design, and I cannot wait to start making them. Claire

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    1. Have fun, Claire. I enjoy making them and they work up pretty quickly.

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  2. Very pretty color combos. I plan to purchase this pattern! Thank you for sharing.

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  3. I feel the same way as Anonymous! Each day when I clicked on your blogs I held my breath hoping you would post this. Today is a red letter day! Thank you so, so, so much for sharing this! I am so looking forward to making these earrings!

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    1. I hope that you'll post your earrings on the Pinterest board, Jeanie. I'd love to see the color combinations that you come up with.

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  4. Thank you so much for sharing your pattern; I can't wait to try this! I'm at work right now and do not have the supplies to try them until next week (I work in a remote location in Alaska). Again, Thank you!!!!

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  5. Replies
    1. Where can I get the heads from. ..Thank you for sharing

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    2. I don't know where to purchase the beads to make the earrings.

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    3. There's a long list of bead shops down the right hand side of my blog. Any good quality Japanese seed beads will work with this pattern. I buy most of mine from either Charlene's Beads or Aura Crystals. Let me know if you're looking for a particular color that I used.

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  6. http://audreygyongyei.blogspot.hu/2008/08/happy-wednesday-avagy-hogyan-kerl.html

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    1. Thanks for the link, moci. I have seen that pattern before. I can't figure out how they make it look 3-dimensional because they've left out quite a few steps.

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  7. bonjour
    merci pour ce partage, trés belle réalisation
    je vais la réaliser...
    bonne continuation

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  8. Merci de partager, c'est très généreux!

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  9. Beautiful earrings and great instructions. I am wondering if there is a "trick" to getting so many thread passes through the itty-bitty 15/0 beads. I ended up going with One-G thread rather than Fireline and then weaving through a different row as I hit the 5th and 6th round. I am going to have to make several pairs of these.

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    1. There's no trick, Karey. I do pretty much the same thing you do. When I get to a point where it's risky to try going through the beads at the top again, I start taking shortcuts. It's easy to hide the thread with peyote stitch if you're careful. When I get my camera back from my son, I'll try to remember to take photos showing how I take my shortcuts.

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    2. Thank you. I'm still a relative "newbie" and try to follow the directions exactly, especially on the first time I try a new design. Nice to hear there may be more than one way to get the same look. These earrings are stunning and work up so quickly. Thanks again for the quick reply.

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  10. Have been dipping in and out of your blog for a while and I do love your work - looking forward to making a few of these for friends and family - thanks.

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  11. These earrings are so pretty! One of my friends at my beadshop made 3 pairs while I was there today, and so I have to make a pair. Thanks so much!

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  12. Another great design! I love your website. Regards fro Austria/Tirol
    Susan Hosp

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    1. Thanks, Susan. I hope you have fun making them.

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  13. Thank you for sharing. You are the first person I found post that type of design. I've been doing those earrings or a version of it for about 10yrs. I like how you finished the edge of the earrings. I add teardrop beads to my design. Now I make them with wire.

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    1. I bought some little drop beads to try along the edge sometime. Do they make beading wire fine enough to do peyote stitch? I've never worked with wire and can't imagine how it would work for bead weaving through tiny seed beads.

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  14. Beautiful! thank you for sharing!

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  15. I LOVE your tutorials and all your earthy/jewel tone beads! Thank you so much for sharing this. I was looking for a simple yet elegant earring pattern to match a pendant I made for a family member and decided to try this one. I made these earrings the other day but it took me three tries to do them...I used Wildfire as I do for most of my projects (Nymo seriously hates me LOL) but after just a few passes through that first 15/0 bead I couldn't get it through anymore and ended up breaking the 15/0 =( I started over my Nymo thread which is thinner but same result. I was so sad and annoyed because I love this pattern and wanted it to work! I decided to give it one more go and swapped out the 15/0 on both 'ends' of the 8/0 for an 11/0 and crossed my fingers and was finally able to complete it. I think I will do that from now on! Thanks again =) =)

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    1. Hi Katie. I'm sorry that you had trouble getting through the beads. As noted in the tutorial, you may need to take some shortcuts after you've gone around them a few times. Did you see my post about that? HERE is a link to it. I have a diagram showing the path that I take to skip having to go around the top part of the earring.

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    2. Oops! I forgot that I also added a note about that to this post. Anyway, give that a try next time you get stuck.

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  16. thank you so much
    for sharing :)

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  17. Hi, I like these earrings and would love to give them a try. I noticed that you listed the colors and product numbers of the beads that you used. Where is the best place to order them?? I think that my favorites are the sage green and silver colored ones but I really like them all. Thanks!!!

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    1. I buy most of my basic metallic seed beads from Charlene's Beads. She has very good prices and she has most colors in all three sizes. HERE is the page with the silver beads that I used in the sage and silver earrings. I got the accent color beads from Aura Crystals HERE. I bought the round crystals from a local bead shop.

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  18. These earrings are very pretty. I tried making them and after breaking a bead the first time, I switched to a smaller needle to go thru the tight spots (using 6 lb Fireline). Is there a trick to getting them to lay flat? Mine will bend either concave or convex. I can get them to stay somewhere in between but not sure it will hold at that spot when wearing. Thank you for all the great patterns and tips!

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    1. Hi Sandy. Did you see my post about the shortcuts that I take when it becomes difficult to get your needle through the tight spots? HERE is the link.

      Most of the time they come out slightly cupped but it depends on the beads and also on your tension. I've never had a problem with mine staying in shape when I wear them but I do reinforce the edge of mine very well. If you want yours to be as flat as possible, you could flatten them under a heavy weight. I've done that many times with other earrings. I cover them with a linen towel and stack about five or six very large books on top of them and leave them there overnight.

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  19. Thank you, Linda. I will try the books. They are cupped a little - not too bad so maybe that will work.

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    1. I actually prefer them to be slightly cupped. I think it gives them more dimension.

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  20. Can you tell me where you purchase your 3mm bicones from? You choose very pretty beads.

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    1. I buy some in a local shop and I've also ordered them from a couple of Chinese eBay shops. One of them no longer sells bicones but THIS shop still has them.

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  21. Thank you. Thank you. I find your column inspiring and helpful.

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  22. Hi Linda I want to thank you so much for this very easy to follow pattern. Your work is beautiful and I very much appreciate all of your effort in putting this tutorial together. Love it Sweetie. Thank you so very much, can't wait to try.
    Cristal

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  23. love the look of these, can also see this as a pendant in peacock colours.
    thanks, will have a go later

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  24. Merci de ce partage
    Thank you
    Je les trouve très belles.

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  25. Hi Linda, I found your earrings on Pinterest and I fell in love with them. I have just completed the first pair, they're really nice. I think I will also try some variation. Thank you for the perfect tutorial.

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  26. In your illustrated tutorial you skip the 8 at the top twice? It doesn't show that on the illustration.

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    1. Step 5 shows it in the middle photo. The instructions say to do the same thing again so there was no need to repeat the photo.

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  27. Linda, I attempted this pattern yesterday. It took me three "tries" before I got it right. I bought the pattern a while back and finally got around to making it. I'm happy to find your "tip". I was going nuts trying to make the needle and Fireline fit where it couldn't, hence, breaking size 15 beads. After finding your tip, I managed
    to finally complete one earring, substituting Miyuki fringe drops rather than the 15's as the last step. I love color and this is a great pattern with which to experiment. Thanks!!

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  28. Linda! Help! I made one earring, went back to make the second one and it said the pattern was trashed by the author. What can I do to get the pattern? Please help! Thanks!

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    1. The pattern is still there Adria. I just checked. The link is in my post above. A short time ago, a bunch of stuff accidentally got deleted from my Google Drive and I had to restore it. I don't know if that changed the links but perhaps you were using the old link. Also, it's a good idea to save the PDF file to your computer instead of reading it from my Google Drive.

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    2. Thanks Linda! I'll try again because I love this design!

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    3. Were you able to access the pattern, Adria?

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    4. Love this pattern! Haven't made this ptrn yet, but I use Glass 12lb test fishing line. It's thin & strong. I find I can go through beads more often. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks for sharing your work, its wonderful!

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    5. Vicki: 12lb fishing line might be too thick for this pattern. I use 6lb.

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  29. Hi Linda, thanks so much for the fantastic pattern! I am getting ready to try it. What size Fireline do you use?

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    1. I used 6 pound Fireline but 4 pound should work too and would allow you to go through the beads a few more times.

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  30. Beautiful earrings! Can't wait to try making them. Thank you!

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  31. Hi Linda,
    I tried to open the pattern, but the link does not work.
    MaryJo

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    1. Hi Mary. I just checked both links and they're working right now. There might be a slight delay before the download dialog box pops up so wait a few seconds for it. Or, you can right-click on the link and choose "Save link as...". It will ask where you want to put it and then it will save it to your computer.

      The PDF files don't open on my Google Drive anymore. I was having too many issues so I changed the links to automatically download instead.

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  32. Linda,

    Hi, I love these earrings...you're so talented! I've linked to this project on Pinterest. It fits all the requirements for what I like to post there...free, fun and no registration required to get the pattern.

    Keep up the beautiful work!

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    1. Thanks, Melanie. What's the link to your Pinterest board? I like to browse Pinterest for ideas.

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  33. I cannot tell you THANK YOU enough for your blog, and for your beautiful designs!! I am working on getting back into beading after many years, and I am a little frustrated. Finding your blog has been inspirational and exciting! I'm looking forward to these earrings, and I genuinely want you to know that I really appreciate the time and effort you have put into creating these designs and then making them free--after you have put so much into them, with all of the directions and pictures...and THEN you offer it in a pdf format with less photos to help us save money on ink! LOL!! YOU ARE AMAZING and so is your work!!!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Tami. Have fun beading!

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  34. Thank you for posting the instructions for the fan earrings. They are so very beautiful.

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  35. Love them! Easy to make = instant gratification! Thank you for the pattern!

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  36. Hi Linda,

    I know that you love to share and that you are a generous beader. I also know that ethics are important for you, so I thought that you might like to learn that this is a pattern published in the August 2008 ed. of Bead and Button magazine, with the title "Holler for Hoops", designed by Jona Hoston.

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    1. Hi Cath. I am familiar with that pattern but mine is different even though the earrings have a similar appearance and both are made using Peyote stitch.

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    2. Is it also different from the Russian design?

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    3. Do you mean the Semi-Circular Earrings? Those are quite a bit different too.

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    4. I find it fascinating to see how beads behave differently. thanks for the precisions.

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  37. Thank you for sharing your pattern! I will try to make a pair.☺

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  38. I love this design! It reminds me of peacock feathers and I think I'll try it that color range. I was wondering about adding some tiny drops at the bottom to imitate peacock feathers.

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  39. Hi again, I was reading the comments about the 3D version that is actually quite different and found this: http://clearlyhelena.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-make-hoola-hoop-with-peyote.html. Maybe this is the same as the Russian pattern or the Bead & Button pattern?

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