DIY Network

Beaded Button Pendant by Judy Hendrix From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-401

	Judy Hendrix, guest bead artist, shows how to make this lovely beaded button pendant.
	And your newly beaded button can be the centerpiece of a bracelet.

Materials --

Button or cabochon -- can have holes, but the shank must be removed
3" square of Ultra Suede
3" square of felt
Size 11 seed beads
Nymo beading thread – size D

Tools --

Size 10 sharp needle (short needle)
Size 10 beading needle (long needle)
E-6000 clear craft adhesive
Craft scissors and small sharp pointed scissors
Bead tray

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

1. Glue the button to the 3" piece of felt and let dry overnight (figure A).

   Note: E-6000 glue dries clear and you can sew through it, if needed.

2. You start with the couching rows -- the two rows that go around the button. Thread both needles. The long beading needle, thread with a 36" long piece of Nymo beading thread. Double it and secure a triple knot.

3. The short needle will be threaded with a single thread with a secure triple knot.

   Note: Short needle is to sew with and the long needle is to string beads.

4. Coming up from the backside with the long needle, pull thread through to the front, right next to the button. Begin "stringing" the first row of beads, enough to go approximately around the button (figure B) -- don't worry if you have too many, we will take care of the excess beads later.

5. Setting the stringing thread to the side of your workspace, bring the single thread up from the back, next to the button and between the beads -- at the third bead. You are going to use a couching technique to hold the beads in place.

6. Cross the single thread over the double thread in between beads -- about every third bead. Hold them tight against the previous bead and take a stitch over the double thread, keeping them as tight as possible, so there are no gaps (figure C). ALWAYS come up next to the button (or the subsequent rows next to the completed row) and stitch out toward the edge. Continue couching all the way around until you have a space left for two or three beads to complete the row.

7. Check to see if the space you left will take two or three beads -- you don't want to force anything because they will buckle, nor do you want a gap. When you are satisfied with the spacing, drop the excess beads off the double thread. Take the double thread with the last loose beads on it and go back through the first four beads you couched (should be right in front of the loose beads). Take your single thread and couch these last loose beads to make a nice finished look. Take both needles to the back.

   Note: You will always take both threads to the back before beginning a new row.

8. Use a new color of beads for the second row or mix and match. Repeat this first row at least one more time remembering to couch from near the button to the outside. Bring threads to the back and knot securely.

9. Working from the back (so you don't clip your couching threads) trim the felt as close as possible to the beads (figure D). It's great if you don't see any felt when looking at the front, but sometimes you can't get that close.

   Note: If you have holes in the button, string beads from one hole to another before adding the back. You can leave them like that or embellish later.

10. Thread a needle with a single thread about a yard long, knot it and anchor it securely somewhere on the back. Come up anywhere on the front between the two rows of beads -- just leave the thread hanging from the front, to use later.

11. Glue a piece of ultra-suede to the back of the button. Don't make it an exact fit, we will trim it later. The ultra-suede is what you will actually see in your piece, so make sure it coordinates with your beading.

12. To finish, trim the ultra suede evenly, not too short, since we need to stitch through it.

13. Needle the thread you left hanging in the front, with your beading needle. To position your needle, feed it under the outside row of beading and come out between the felt and the ultra suede. You want to be between the two layers.

    Note: This row is unique -- you will be flipping the button from front to back. You are going to create an edging that is NOT measured against the couched beads. You want the spacing to be as even as possible -- this is the row you do all your embellishment on.

14. String three beads on your thread, measure over TO THE LEFT (if you are right-handed) the width of one bead and take your needle straight through to the back.

15. Turn the whole button over (you are stitching looking at the back now) and coming up from the bottom, go through the last bead on your right (figure E). Your thread and needle are coming out of the top of the bead, in position for the next step.

16. Turn the button back to the front. You only add three beads the first time -- remember, on the front you stitch to the left, on the back you come up through the last bead on the right.

17. Add two beads (you are on the left now) go straight back through all the layers, turn the button over and come up in the last bead on the right. Continue all the way around, evenly spaced, until you have space for one more bead.

18. There would be a slight break in the beading if we didn't connect them -- that is why we started with three beads. Turn the button to the back (only because it is easier to see) and add one bead. Take your needle down into the top of the first bead you put on -- it connects the row. Go to the left and come up in the bead next to that, to have your needle in position for finishing.

19. This row is where you make your button unique. You may choose to do a picot edge that gives it a lacey look or you might need a more tailored look by weaving two twisted rows of beads.

20. Put your needle through one of the laying down beads, string four beads, skip a laying down bead and go into the next laying down bead. Continue all the way around (it will look like a scalloped edge).

21. With a contrasting bead, we are going to twist around the first row.

22. Again take your needle through a laying down bead that you skipped the first time around, add four beads -- this time you will go over the top of the first row and take your needle into the next skipped bead. It should look like it is twisting around the outer edge (figure F).

23. Knot off your thread on the back and you are ready to add it to your project.

RESOURCES :

Offray Ribbon
Available at local fabric, sewing, discount and craft stores nationwide.

Lion Ribbon Co. / C.M. Offray & Son Inc.
Website: www.offray.com

Wire, Stones, Tools and Closures
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads
One Fire Mountain Way
Grants Pass, OR 97526-2373
Toll-free: 800-355-2137
Website: www.firemountaingems.com

The Art of Metal and Wire
190397593X
Janet Wilson
December 2003
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Search Press

Victorian Jewelry and Porcelain Disks
Flights of Fancy Boutique
Toll-free: 800-530-8745
Website: www.flightsoffancyboutique.com

Dichroic Glass
Terrie Voigt Studio
Phone: 248-879-6374
Website: www.tvsglass.com

Beads and Supplies
Findings
Phone: 734-929-9751
Website: www.beadseekers.com

Ultra-Suede
Ultra Style Designs
Toll-free: 866-733-8949
Website: www.ultrastyledesigns.com

GUESTS :

Judy Hendrix
Jewelry Artist
Simply Sassy, LLC
Website: www.flightsoffancyboutique.com