Peyote triple-tube bracelet by Ava Farrington The peyote triple tube was inspired by a Native American choker made of bone hairpipe and leather. I translated the design into beadwork by creating 3 peyote-stitched tubes in graduated sizes and connecting them. I put this element in many jewelry designs. Here I use them to frame a pi-stone or donut centerpiece. stepbystep This project uses 2-bead-wide strips of peyote stitch as key components. To prevent fraying and ensure a firm stitch, wax or condition your thread. A peyote piece must have an even number of rows to join into a tube or a ring. These directions will make a bracelet 71⁄4 to 71⁄2 in. (18-19cm) long with a 20mm pistone or donut and a 1-in. (2.5cm) clasp. Adjust the length of the strips if your components are different sizes or for a larger or smaller wrist. 54 Stitch a striking, ethnic-inspired wristband triple-tube and pi-stone connection There are two ways to make the peyote triple tube. I often stitch the tubes as a single unit by making the large tube first and stitching the middle and small tubes directly off the previous one. If you choose this method, add 2 rows (12 rows total) to the middle and small patterns and join the last row to the 3rd row to make each tube. Be sure to begin the small tube opposite from the join for the middle tube. A simplified construction method is described below. Follow the patterns (figures 1-3) to weave 3 striped pieces in flat peyote stitch (see “Basics,” p. 104). After you complete the last row of each piece, roll it into a tube and stitch between the first and last rows like a zipper (photo a). To join the tubes, align the stripes and stitch between a row of beads on each one (photo b). Join the small and large tubes opposite each other on the medium tube. beadandbutton.com With the same color beads used for the tubes’ central stripe, make a peyote strip 2 beads wide and long enough to reach from the edge of the pi-stone, through the hole, and back to the edge. Stitch the strip ends together around the pi-stone and connect the strip to the small tube, aligning it with the central stripe (photo c). Reinforce the connection by stitching back through the beadwork before clipping the thread. wristband and clasp Make a peyote strip 2 beads wide and 22 beads long, using the same color beads as the large tube’s edge stripes. Weave the ends together to make a ring and slip it over one end of the large tube (photo d). Stitch between the beads on the tube and the beads on the ring to secure it in position. Stitch through the beads to exit a bead on the ring at the outside edge of the large tube. Stitch a 2-bead-wide peyote strip 14 beads long. Leave the needle threaded on this side. Start with a new needle and repeat steps 1 and 2, attaching the ring to the large tube’s other end. Each needle should exit a bead on the inner edge of the strips. If a needle is exiting the outer edge, stitch through the beads to exit the last bead on the inside of the strip. Pick up a round bead with one needle and sew through the last bead on the other strip’s inner edge (photo e). Sew the other needle through the round bead in the opposite direction and go through the last bead on the other strip’s inner edge. Reinforce the connection by sewing each needle back through the round bead to the side where it started. Stitch 12 more beads onto each strip. Repeat steps 4-6 to add another round bead. Stitch 20 more beads onto each strip. Use one needle to sew the strips together from the ends to approximately 10 beads from the second round bead (photo f), forming a 4-bead wide peyote panel. Stitch through the beads to secure the join and clip the thread. With the other needle, sew through a d b e c f materials • 7.5g Japanese cylinder beads, one color • 5g Each of 3 colors of Japanese cylinder beads • 1 20-30mm Pi-stone or donut • 4 6-7mm Round beads • 2 6mm Split rings • 1 Clasp • Nymo B to match main-color beads • Beading needles, #12 • Beeswax or thread conditioner g the beads to exit the end bead on one of the 2 center rows. Start a 2-bead-wide peyote strip from the center rows. After adding 10 beads, loop the strip through a split ring and stitch the last row back to the first row of the strip (photo g). Stitch through the beadwork again to reinforce the join. Attach one side of the clasp to the split ring. Repeat steps 1-11 to complete the other side of the bracelet. w Ava is the author of two beading books, Band O’Beads and Tassel O’Beads. You can reach her at at P.O. Box 760, Amity, OR 97101, (503) 835-0300 or [email protected]. Bead & Button • April 2002 55 Create Fashionable Jewelry with Bead&Button Magazine! With every issue of Bead&Button magazine, you’ll get 20+ beading projects, complete with step-bystep illustrated instructions.You’ll also get shortcuts, solutions, tips, techniques, and inspiration for your work. IT’S FUN! M ake jewelr y like a pr o Creative Ideas for the Art of Beads Make fash and Jewel ry Stylish des ionable necklaces, igns for bracelets, and earring s Create stunning g if w w w .b ea da jewelr y nd bu tt on .c om ts 20+ e b i r c s Sub ! y a d o T projects in every issue Projects f from beginor all levelsner to adv anced Order online at www.beadandbutton.com/promo Enter code I3D2 or call 800-533-6644 Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm Central Time. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 262-796-8776.