SPLASH EARRINGS

Splash Earrings, free bead pattern that uses the Czech Wave bead

Made exclusively for Beadsmith, Czech Wave beads measure 3x7mm and look a lot like an elongated SuperDuo bead but with a twist at each end, creating a lovely wave, especially when the beads are stacked or side-by-side.

More pictures and links to beads used at the end of this pattern page!

MATERIALS
• About 2 yards of 6 lb. FireLine
• About 125 size 11/0 Miyuki “rocaille” seed beads
• Two size 3mm or 4mm beads of any type (if you use closed jump rings as connectors)
• 32 size 3x7mm Czech Wave beads (you can use one color, two colors or as many as you like)
• Two 3-4mm closed (soldered) jump rings or Two Beadsmith Bead Ending Cymbal Elements
• A pair of earring findings

Step 1: Thread your needle with about a yard of FireLine.

When beading these earrings, the hardest part is the beginning—getting the Wave beads going in the same direction. It does not matter which direction but make sure that they all curve in the same direction. I find it easiest to lay them out on my bead mat as I add them, using the picture below as a guide.

Leaving about a six-inch tail that you can weave in and cut at any time (and the sooner the better—I prefer to weave the tail through two Wave bead inside holes and cut after Step 6), string sixteen Wave beads, using one color or however many you want:

Step 2: Tie the beads in a circle with a tight double knot, forming a ring of Wave beads:

Step 3: Go back down through the inside hole of the Wave bead below your knot and then go around and through the outside hole of this same Wave bead (highlighted in RED):

Step 4: String a seed bead and go through the outside hole of the next Wave bead on the ring (highlighted in RED):

NOTE: The Wave beads will flop around like crazy but don’t worry about that now.


Step 5: String a seed bead and go through the outside hole of the next Wave bead on the ring (highlighted in RED):

Step 6: Repeat the last step, adding seed beads between each of the outside holes of the Wave beads in the ring (highlighted in RED):

NOTE: Again, the Wave beads will flop around. Push them down flat as you add the seed beads so that the motif becomes more of a solid circle as you add this outer row of seed beads.

Step 7: Go back around through the outer ring of seed beads and outer holes of the Wave beads highlighted in RED:

Step 8: Go around through the beads highlighted in RED:

Step 9: To add your jump ring, string three seed beads, a size 3mm or 4mm bead of any type and another seed bead. Go around through your jump ring and then back down through the seed bead, 3mm or 4mm bead and seed bead that you just added. String two more seed beads and continue around through the beads highlighted in RED:

Step 9 Optional: Instead of using a jump ring, you can use a Beadsmith Bead Ending Cymbal Element.

String two seed beads. Go through the bottom loop of a Cymbal Element. String two more seed beads and go around through the beads highlighted in RED:

Step 10: String five seed beads. Go around (and not through) the tip of the next Wave bead on the ring. Continue down though the seed bead, the outside hole of the Wave bead and the seed bead highlighted in RED. Pull the middle seed bead that you just added out with your fingers to form a point as you pull tight:

Step 11: String five seed beads. Go around (and not through) the tip of the next Wave bead on the ring. Continue though the seed bead, the outside hole of the Wave bead and the seed bead highlighted in RED. Pull the middle seed bead that you just added out with your fingers to form a point as you pull tight:

Step 12: Repeat Step 11 to add another “arm”:

Step 13: Repeat Step 11 to add another “arm”:

Step 14: Repeat Step 11 to add another “arm”:

Step 15: Repeat Step 11 to add another “arm”:

Step 16: Repeat Step 11 to add one last “arm”:

Step 17: Go back around through the beads highlighted in RED and you jump ring/Cymbal:



Step 18 (optional): If you think you can do so without breaking a needle, go back around through the beads highlighted in RED, skipping the seed bead at the tip of each “arm” to tighten the point. Continue to pull tight to stiffen the piece:

Knot and cut your thread.

If after you finish your earrings you find they are not as stiff as you would like them to be, I have a tutorial on stiffening beadwork on my website here:
https://www.aroundthebeadingtable.com/Tutorials/StiffenBeadwork.html


Beads used in the photo above

Splash Earrings, free bead pattern that uses the Czech Wave bead

Blue/white version
• About 125 size 11/0 Miyuki “rocaille” seed beads: Miyuki #4201 Duracoat Silver
• Two size 3mm round beads: Chalk White Baby Blue Luster
• 32 size 3x7mm Czech Wave beads: 16 Chalk Blue Luster and 16 Chalk Orange Luster

Splash Earrings, free bead pattern that uses the Czech Wave bead

Purple/Yellow version
• About 125 size 11/0 Miyuki “rocaille” seed beads: Miyuki #454 Purple Iris
• Two size 4mm fire-polished beads: Iris Purple
• 32 size 3x7mm Czech Wave beads: 16 Gold Shine Yellow Sun and 16 Pastel Bordeaux

Splash Earrings, free bead pattern that uses the Czech Wave bead

Lavender/Blue version
• About 125 size 11/0 Miyuki “rocaille” seed beads: Miyuki #4201 Duracoat Silver
• 32 size 3x7mm Czech Wave beads: 16 Tropical Blue Grape and 16 Metallic Matte Violet
• Two Beadsmith Bead Ending Cymbal Elements: Sitia - 8/0 Seed Bead Ending - Antique Silver Cymbal

Splash Earrings, free bead pattern that uses the Czech Wave bead

Rainbow/Bronze version
• About 125 size 11/0 Miyuki “rocaille” seed beads: Miyuki #457 Bronze
• 32 size 3x7mm Czech Wave beads: Crystal Orange Rainbow
• Two Beadsmith Bead Ending Cymbal Elements: Antique Brass Pilos Cymbal Bead Ending

Splash Earrings, free bead pattern that uses the Czech Wave bead

Pink/Gold version
• About 125 size 11/0 Miyuki “rocaille” seed beads: Miyuki #4204 Duracoat Galvanized Champagne
• Two size 4mm fire-polished beads: Milky Pink
• 32 size 3x7mm Czech Wave beads: 16 Chalk Lila Luster and 16 Crystal Bronze Pale Gold

Splash Earrings, free bead pattern that uses the Czech Wave bead

Gold version
• About 125 size 11/0 Miyuki “rocaille” seed beads: Miyuki #4202 Duracoat Galvanized Gold
• 32 size 3x7mm Czech Wave beads: Crystal Full Amber
• Two Beadsmith Bead Ending Cymbal Elements: Sitia - 8/0 Seed Bead Ending - 24kt Gold Plated Cymbal