Beaded Pens
Adorn your Pen with Peyote
By Mandi Ainsworth
www.beadcircle.com
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Even Count Tubular Peyote for Beginners........................2
Chapter 2: How to Make the Original Swirl Pen.................................4
Chapter 3: Notes on Intuitive Peyote................................................8
Chapter 4: Patterns...........................................................................9
How to read patterns............................................................................9
Mini Butterfly Pattern..........................................................................10
Mini Tree Pattern................................................................................10
Mini Peace Sign Pattern.......................................................................11
Mini Cupcake Pattern..........................................................................11
Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon Pattern...............................................12
Swirling Leaf Pattern..........................................................................13
Music to my Ears Pattern....................................................................14
Happiness, Peace, & Love Pattern........................................................15
Chapter 5: Personalized Pens.........................................................16
Tips for making your own patterns.......................................................16
Peyote Alphabet.................................................................................16
Blank Peyote Graph for Mini Pens.........................................................17
Blank Peyote Graph for Regular Size Pens.............................................18
Chapter 6: Pen Gallery....................................................................19
This book is dedicated to the love of beading. So
many people have taught me so many things over
the years for the love of beading, and this is my
way of giving back. You may sell work inspired by
this e-book, but all the information contained
within must remain free.
Special thanks to Diane Gilleland of www.craftypod.com. You seem to
radiate creativity and inspiration, and I love your e-books! The crafty
community is privileged to have you.
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
1
Understanding Even Count Tubular Peyote
Even count tubular peyote stitch is basically doing peyote in a continuous
circle with an even number of beads. This stitch is perfect for beading on
items that double as a form. For example, needle cases, lighter covers, tea
lights, and pens. You can bead directly around your object to get a snug fit,
and it’s easier to make up your own designs as you go along. Many beaders
use this stitch to create amulet bags by weaving both sides at the same
time. The following diagrams will help you understand the make up of this
stitch.
**It maybe helpful for novice beaders to make a small sample of this stitch
following these instructions to better understand the stitch before getting
started, while more advanced beaders should move on to the project
instructions.
1. String on an even number of beads for rows 1 and 2 of your design. Row
1 is represented by purple and row 2 is blue.
2. Tie the ends together leaving a small tail at the end of your thread, and
go through the next 2 beads. The first diagram in this step is expanded to
show the thread path, but make sure you snug up your work as shown in
the next diagram.
3. Now you will create row 3, which is
represented in pink. Your thread is coming out
of a purple bead, pick up a pink bead, and needle through the next purple
bead. Snug it down right on top of the blue bead. Repeat this process
until you have added 6 pink beads.
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
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4. Now you will “step-up” and begin creating row 4, which is represented in
green. Needle up through the pink bead to create the step up. Add the
green bead and go through the next pink bead.
5. Add all 6 green beads for row 4, then step up to begin row 5. Repeat the
process of adding rows and stepping up until the desired length of your
design is reached.
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
3
Beaded Pen Project Instructions
Supplies
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size 11 delicas in 2-5+ colors (several grams of each, I am using 4
colors in these instructions. I tend to avoid using matte colors because
they break as my pens bang around in my purse)
G2 pilot pen
beading thread (I use Nymo)
beading needle
beading mat
scissors
About the Pens
G2 Pilot pens are the perfect pens for this project. I love them because they:
• have a straight base which to bead around
• have a nice grip so you don’t have to hold the beadwork while you
write (vs. bic pens)
• come in regular size and a mini size
• come in a wide variety of colors
• they are refillable
• come in a mechanical pencil, too
You can get them at any office supply store, and are common enough to be
found in super stores and grocery stores, too. Tip: stock up around back to
school time!
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
4
1. String on 26 beads following these rules: a) use every color you wish
to include in the swirl b) add the colors in groups of 2 beads (thin band
of color) or 4 beads (thicker band of color). Tie the beads in a circle
with a square knot leaving a foot or so of tail. Needle through the
entire circle to reinforce it, and don’t cut the tail.
2. Unscrew the pen and set the bottom half and ink sections aside. Slip
your circle onto the top section. Move your tail off to the left and your
working thread to the right.
3. Now we will begin to peyote the swirl design by reading the beads
instead of following a pattern. Whatever color bead you come out
of, that is the color you add. I just came out of a blue bead, so I
know I need to add a blue bead. When I pull it tight you can see the
pattern begin to form.
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
5
4. This photo shows row 3 complete with a step up into the blue bead. I
am ready to add another blue bead to start row 4.
5. Bead the entire length of the pen, and add 2 rows past the end of pen
section. There is a small gap when you screw the pen sections
together, and 2 rows should cover it. Reinforce the end by needling
through the last 2 rows all the way around.
6. Weave in and cut off the remaining thread. I usually weave the thread
back on itself 3 times, and below is an example thread path.
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
6
7. Thread your needle onto the tail thread you left in the beginning.
Reinforce the first 2 rows of your work, weave in the end, and cut the
excess. Then, screw the sections of the pen together, and admire your
work!
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
7
Notes on Intuitive Beading
To me, intuitive beading is throwing pattern to the wind, and doing what you
want, when you want with those beads. Philosophies of intuitive beading can
vary. Some people let the beads talk to them, and some make the beads
submit to the idea pictured in their heads. No matter which philosophy works
for you, these ideas can help spark your creativity. Never stop playing or
trying new things.
Play with direction changes at random and regular intervals.
Play with the number and amounts of the colors.
Play with gradation.
Play with patterns.
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
8
How to Read the Patterns
Tips to help you get started:
• For beginners, I recommend drawing the diagonal line on your pattern until
you get the hang of it.
• I like to put my pattern in a plastic sheet protector before I begin. Then I use
a dry erase marker to cross off each bead as I add it. When I finish, the
marker wipes right off and I can create the pattern again without having to
print another copy.
• For less complicated patterns, I use a post-it note to “underline” the row I’m
on. Many beaders also use strip magnets.
1. String the first 2 rows (26 beads total) and tie in a circle. Go through 2
beads past the knot to set up for adding row 3.
2. In the graph, the first bead of row 3 is bead 27. The diagonal line on
the graph goes through the first bead of every row. This is how
you keep track of where you are in the pattern.
3. Add all the beads in row 3 (beads 27-39). After your step-up, your
thread will be coming out of bead 27, and you are ready to add row 4.
4. Bead 40 is the first bead of row 4. Add all the beads in row 4, and
complete the step up. Your thread will be coming out of bead 40 and
ready to start row 5. Continue on.
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
9
Mini Butterfly Pattern
Mini Tree Pattern
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
10
Mini Peace Sign Pattern
Mini Cupcake Pattern
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
11
Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon Pattern
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
12
Swirling Leaf Pattern
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
13
Music to my Ears Pattern
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
14
Happiness, Peace, & Love Pattern
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
15
Personalized Pens
I love to make personalized pens for gifts because the recipient knows it was
made especially for him or her, and everybody uses pens. I have developed
my own peyote alphabet for this purpose. Usually about 6 or 7 letters fit on
a pen, but if you still need to fit in a few more, you can stagger them. I will
show some custom pens I have done and provide some blank graphs so you
can design your own pens.
Peyote Alphabet
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
16
Blank Peyote Graph for Mini Pens
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
17
Blank Peyote Graph for Regular Size Pens
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
18
Pen Gallery
Show off and inspire others with the pens you bead! Please add your photos
to the Bead Circle Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/beadcircle
© 2010 Mandi Ainsworth. All Rights Reserved. ♦ www.beadcircle.com
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