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SUPERDUO STARS

SuperDuo Stars

I embellished my Starburst Earrings design to create these small SuperDuo Stars that can be used to make earrings or a small pendant.

Links to exact beads used, more colorways and finishing tips at the end of the Step text!

MATERIALS
Earrings:
• About two yards of 8 lb. FireLine
• About 160 size 11/0 Miyuki rocaille seed beads
• 10 Color1 SuperDuo beads
• 20 Color2 SuperDuo beads
• 10 Color3 SuperDuo beads
• Two (3-4mm) closed jump ring
• Earring findings
Pendant:
• About a yard of 8 lb. FireLine
• About 80 size 11/0 Miyuki rocaille seed beads
• 5 Color1 SuperDuo beads
• 10 Color2 SuperDuo beads
• 5 Color3 SuperDuo beads
• One (4-5mm) closed jump ring
• Necklace chain and clasp

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

Leaving about a 6-inch tail that you can weave in and cut whenever you want, string a seed bead, a Color1 SuperDuo bead, a seed bead, a Color1 SuperDuo bead, a seed bead, a Color1 SuperDuo bead, a seed bead, a Color1 SuperDuo bead, a seed bead and a Color1 SuperDuo bead.

Tie the beads together with a double knot:

Step 2: Go back around through the beads that you strung in the last step, grab the tail thread and tie another knot:

Step 3: Go back through the seed bead, the inside hole of the Color1 SuperDuo bead, the seed bead and the inside hole of the next Color1 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 4: Go around and through the outside hole of the same Color1 SuperDuo bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED):

Step 5: String two Color2 SuperDuo beads.

Go through the outside hole of the Color1 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 6: String two Color2 SuperDuo beads. Go through the outside hole of the next Color1 SuperDuo bead (highlighted in RED):

Step 7: Repeat the last step three times to add two Color2 SuperDuo beads in between the remaining Color1 SuperDuo beads (highlighted in RED):

Step 8: Go back around through the inside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo beads and the outside hole of the Color1 SuperDuo beads highlighted in RED:

Step 9: Go back through the inside hole of the two Color2 SuperDuo beads highlighted in RED:

Step 10: Go around and through the outside hole of the same Color2 SuperDuo bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED):

Step 11: String a Color3 SuperDuo bead.

Go through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 12: String three seed beads.

Go through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 13: String a Color3 SuperDuo bead.

Go through the outside hole of the next Color2 SuperDuo bead (highlighted in RED):

Step 14: String three seed beads.

Go through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED.

String a Color3 SuperDuo bead.

Go through the outside hole of the next Color2 SuperDuo bead (highlighted in RED):

Step 15: String three seed beads.

Go through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED.

String a Color3 SuperDuo bead.

Go through the outside hole of the next Color2 SuperDuo bead (highlighted in RED):

Step 16: String three seed beads.

Go through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED.

String a Color3 SuperDuo bead.

Go through the outside hole of the next Color2 SuperDuo bead (highlighted in RED):

Step 17: String three seed beads.

Go through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED.

String a Color3 SuperDuo bead.

Go through the outside hole of the next Color2 SuperDuo bead and the seed bead highlighted in RED:

Step 18: String three seed beads.

Go back up through the seed bead, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead, the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead and the seed bead highlighted in RED.

As you pull tight, position the three seed beads with your fingers so that they form an angular “v”:

Step 19: String three seed beads.

Go back across through the seed bead, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead, the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead and the seed bead highlighted in RED.

Again, as you pull tight, position the three seed beads with your fingers so that they form an angular “v”:

Step 20: String three seed beads.

Go back down through the seed bead, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead, the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead and the seed bead highlighted in RED, pulling tight as you position the three seed beads with your fingers so that they form an angular “v”:

Step 21: String three seed beads.

Go back down through the seed bead, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead, the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead and the seed bead highlighted in RED, pulling tight as you position the three seed beads with your fingers so that they form an angular “v”:

Step 22: String three seed beads.

Go back up through the beads highlighted in RED, pulling tight as you position the three seed beads with your fingers so that they form an angular “v”:

Step 23: String two seed beads. Go around and across through the outside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED):

Step 24: String two more seed beads. Go around and back up through the inside hole of this same Color3 SuperDuo bead and then continue back up through the two seed beads that you added in the last step (highlighted in RED):

Step 25: String four seed beads. Go back around through the two seed beads that you added in the last step, the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead and the two seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 26: Go back through two of the four seed beads that you added in the last step (highlighted in RED):

Step 27: String a seed bead. Go back around the through four seed beads and the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED. Position the seed beads around this Color3 SuperDuo bead into more of a point with your fingers:

Step 28: Go back through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead, the three seed beads, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead and the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 29: String two seed beads. Go around and across through the outside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED):

Step 30: String two more seed beads. Go around and back across through the inside hole of this same Color3 SuperDuo bead and then continue back up through the two seed beads that you added in the last step (highlighted in RED):

Step 31: String four seed beads. Go back around through the two seed beads that you added in the last step, the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead and the two seed beads that you just exited (all beads highlighted in RED):

Step 32: Go back up through two of the four seed beads that you added in the last step (highlighted in RED):

Step 33: String a seed bead and go through a jump ring. Go go back down through the same seed bead that you just strung. Continue around through four seed beads on the right side of the Color3 SuperDuo bead below, across through the inside hole of this same Color3 SuperDuo bead and back up through the four seed beads on the left side (highlighted in RED):

Step 34: Go back up through the seed bead, around through the jump ring and down through this same seed bead. Continue down and around through the four seed beads and the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 35: Go back through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead, the three seed beads, the outside hole of the next Color2 SuperDuo bead and the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead in RED:

Step 36: String two seed beads. Go around and up through the outside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead that you just exited (highlighted in RED):

Step 37: String two more seed beads. Go around and back down through the inside hole of this same Color3 SuperDuo bead and then continue back up through the two seed beads that you added in the last step (highlighted in RED):

Step 38: String four seed beads. Go back around through the two seed beads that you added in the last step, the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead and the two seed beads highlighted in RED:

Step 39: Go back through two of the four seed beads that you added in the last step (highlighted in RED):

Step 40: String a seed bead. Go back around the through four seed beads and the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED. Position the seed beads around this Color3 SuperDuo bead into more of a point with your fingers:

Step 41: Go back down through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead, the three seed beads, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead and the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 42: Repeat Step 36 to Step 40 to add seed beads around this “leg” of the star:

Step 43: Go back across through the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead, the three seed beads, the outside hole of the Color2 SuperDuo bead and the inside hole of the Color3 SuperDuo bead highlighted in RED:

Step 44: Repeat Step 36 to Step 40 to add seed beads around this “leg” of the star:

Weave your way back into the star motif, knot and cut your thread.

If you are making earrings, attach your earring finding to the jump ring. If you are making a pendant, simply pass your necklace chain or cord through the jump ring and attach
a clasp.

 

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.

 

 

Beads used in the photo above

SuperDuo Stars

Red, Green and Gold Earrings:
• About 160 size 11/0 Miyuki rocaille seed beads: #01710 Czech Coating on Miyuki Rocailles - Aztec Gold
• 10 Color1 SuperDuo beads: Matte Metallic Flax
• 20 Color2 SuperDuo beads: Pastel Dark Coral
• 10 Color3 SuperDuo beads:Gold Shine Green

SuperDuo Stars

Blue, Silver and White Pendant:
• About 80 size 11/0 Miyuki rocaille seed beads: Miyuki #528 White Ceylon
• 5 Color1 SuperDuo beads: Opaque Luster Blue
• 10 Color2 SuperDuo beads: White Luster
• 5 Color3 SuperDuo beads: Crystal Bronze Aluminum

SuperDuo Stars

White and Silver Earrings:
• About 160 size 11/0 Miyuki rocaille seed beads: Miyuki #528 White Ceylon
• 10 Color1 SuperDuo beads: Crystal Bronze Aluminum
• 20 Color2 SuperDuo beads: White Luster
• 10 Color3 SuperDuo beads: Crystal Bronze Aluminum

 

Click on the photo below to visit the RedPandaBeads.com Gallery of Color Suggestions for Betsy Ramsey's "Birthstone Collection" of SuperDuo Stars colorways!