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DIAMONDUO MINI STAR EARRINGS

DiamonDuo Mini Star Earrings

The DiamonDuo bead has a new baby sister—the DiamonDuo Mini! This two-hole, diamond-shaped Czech bead measures 6x4mm, about the size of a SuperDuo bead. With a few bead substitutions and step changes, my DiamonDuo Star works beautifully with these new beads to create some fun earrings.

Links to finishing tips at the end of the Step text!

MATERIALS
• 2 yards of 6 lb. FireLine
• About 150 size 15/0 seed beads (I used 15CZ55006 Crystal Labrador Full Czech Coating on Miyuki Rocailles)
• 24 size 11/0 seed beads (I used Miyuki #454 Purple Iris)
• 6 Color1 DiamonDuo Mini beads (I used Matte Silver)
• 12 Color2 DiamonDuo Mini beads (I used Prismatic Peacock)
• 6 Color3 DiamonDuo Mini beads (I used Pastel Blue Zircon)
• Two small (2-4mm) jump rings
• A pair of earring findings

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

Leaving about a 5-inch tail that you can weave in and make disappear at any time, string six Color1 DiamonDuo Mini beads.

Tie the beads together in a circle with a tight double knot, forming a ring six of DiamonDuo Mini beads:

Step 2: Go back around through this ring of six DiamonDuo Mini beads, grab your tail thread and tie another tight knot:

Step 3: Go back through the DiamonDuo Mini bead next to the knot (highlighted in RED):

Step 4: Go around and through the outside hole of the Color1 DiamonDuo Mini bead that you exited at the end of the last step (highlighted in RED):

Step 5: String two Color2 DiamonDuo Mini beads and go up through the outside hole of the Color1 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 6: String two Color2 DiamonDuo Mini Beads and go through the outside hole of the Color1 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 7: Repeat the last step four times:

Step 8: Go through the inside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED and then around and through the outside hole of this same Color2 DiamonDuo Mini bead:

Step 9: String a Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead and go through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 10: String a 15/0 seed bead, an 11/0 seed bead and a 15/0 seed bead. Go up through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 11: String a Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead and go up through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 12: String a 15/0 seed bead, an 11/0 seed bead and a 15/0 seed bead. Go up through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 13: String a Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead and go up through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 14: String a 15/0 seed bead, an 11/0 seed bead and a 15/0 seed bead. Go across through the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 15: Repeat Step 13 and Step 14 three times:

Step 16: Go across through the inside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead, the outside hole of the Color2 DiamonDuo Mini bead, the 15/0 seed bead, the 11/0 seed bead and the 15/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 17: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go up through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 18: String two 15/0 seed beads, an 11/0 seed bead and two more 15/0 seed beads. Go around and back up through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED):

Push the seed beads that you just added into more of a point with your fingers by pulling the 11/0 seed bead outward.

Step 19: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go up through the 15/0 seed bead, the 11/0 seed bead and the 15/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 20: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go up through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 21: String two 15/0 seed beads, an 11/0 seed bead and two more 15/0 seed beads. Go around and back up through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED), pushing the seed beads that you just added into more of a point with your fingers:

Step 22: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go through the 15/0 seed bead, the 11/0 seed bead and the 15/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 23: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 24: String two 15/0 seed beads and an 11/0 seed bead.

Go through a jump ring and then back down through the 11/0 seed bead that you just added:

Step 25: String two 15/0 seed beads. Go across through the top hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 26: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go down through the 15/0 seed bead, the 11/0 seed bead and the 15/0 seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 27: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 28: String two 15/0 seed beads, an 11/0 seed bead and two more 15/0 seed beads. Go around and back down through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED), pushing the seed beads that you just added into more of a point with your fingers:

Step 29: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go down through the 15/0 seed bead, the 11/0 seed bead and the 15/0 seed bead highlighted in RED.

String three more 15/0 seed beads. Go down through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 30: String two 15/0 seed beads, an 11/0 seed bead and two more 15/0 seed beads. Go around and back down through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED), pushing the seed beads that you just added into more of a point with your fingers:

Step 31: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go across through the 15/0 seed bead, the 11/0 seed bead and the 15/0 seed bead highlighted in RED.

String three more 15/0 seed beads. Go across through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead highlighted in RED:

Step 32: String two 15/0 seed beads, an 11/0 seed bead and two more 15/0 seed beads. Go around and back across through the outside hole of the Color3 DiamonDuo Mini bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED), pushing the seed beads that you just added into more of a point with your fingers:

Step 33: String three 15/0 seed beads. Go across through the 15/0 seed bead, the 11/0 seed bead and the six 15/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 34: Skip the next 11/0 seed bead and go up through six 15/0 seed beads, the 11/0 seed bead and the six 15/0 seed beads highlighted in RED, pulling tight so that the skipped 11/0 seed bead pops out to create a pointy tip:

NOTE: If you prefer, you can just go through the 11/0 seed bead instead of skipping it.

Step 35: Skip the next 11/0 seed bead and go through six 15/0 seed beads, the 11/0 seed bead and the six 15/0 seed beads highlighted in RED, pulling tight so that the skipped 11/0 seed bead pops out to create a pointy tip.

Continue up through the 11/0 seed bead, through your jump ring and then back down through this same 11/0 seed bead (highlighted in RED):

Step 36: Go down through the six 15/0 seed beads, the 11/0 seed bead and the next six 15/0 seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 37: Skip the next 15/0 seed bead and go down through six 15/0 seed beads, the 11/0 seed bead and the six 15/0 seed beads highlighted in RED, pulling tight so that the skipped 11/0 seed bead pops out to create a pointy tip:

Step 38: Skip the next 11/0 seed bead and go down through six 15/0 seed beads, the 11/0 seed bead and the six 15/0 seed beads highlighted in RED, pulling tight so that the skipped 11/0 seed bead pops out to create a pointy tip:

Step 39: Skip the next 11/0 seed bead and go up through six 15/0 seed beads and the 11/0 seed bead highlighted in RED, pulling tight so that the skipped 11/0 seed bead pops out to create a pointy tip:

Step 40: If you think you can get your needle through, go back around through the beads highlighted in RED and your jump ring:

Weave your way back into the star, knot and cut your thread. Attach the jump ring to your earring finding.

You can mix up the DiamonDuo Mini colors and create different star patterns. Here is a blank star so you can create your own colorway:

 

DiamonDuo Mini Star Earrings

 

Finishing Tips

If you are using the motif to create a small holiday ornament or suncatcher and wish to stiffen the beadwork, these methods and products have all worked for me, even on crystal. Test any product on some beads before applying it to your beadwork to make sure there is no unwanted discoloration. You probably won't want to use any of these products on porous Czech coatings such as Bondeli.

Acrylic Floor Polish:
If you have beaded up any of Sandra Halpenny's gorgeous snowflake patterns, then you are familiar with using acrylic floor polish products to stiffen beadwork. Although it has changed names several times since I started beading, Sandy recommends Pledge Floor Gloss, Original by Johnson (formerly SC Johnson Pledge Future Shine and Future Floor Finish). Simply dip the finished motif in the liquid, shake off the excess and let it dry overnight on wax paper. You can find Sandy's directions at the bottom of one of her free snowflake patterns by clicking here: Beaded Snowflake #31 Ornament Pattern.

Clear Nail Polish:
A quick and easy way to stiffen beadwork is to paint the back of your beadwork with clear nail polish and let it dry overnight. Linda Genaw of Linda's Crafty Inspirations recommended that I try clear Sally Hansen Hard as Nails nail polish and it does work well.

Permalac NT:
Permalac NT Semi-Gloss is my favorite when it comes to stiffening beaded ornaments. PotomacBeads.com sells it in handy little bottles that look and work just like nail polish. Although they are marketing Permalac as a protective coating and sealant, I love the way it works to stiffen most any type of beadwork. I have used it on crystal, too, without any problems. Make sure that you brush it on in a well-ventilated locale since, like nail polish, it is a bit stinky, and let your beadwork dry overnight. You can find out more about Permalac NT by watching the video and the product is also available for purchase by clicking here: Permalac NT.