The body of the typical coral-stitch earring is composed of:
- The main "trunks" of the "coral" which dangle from the "head" and connection point for the earwire.
- The "head"; what I usually call the -one or more- larger beads between the trunks and the connection point. I usually choose them for the way their colours and shape complement the "coral".
- The "connection point" is usually a split ring [or soldered split ring if I can find them]; the hardware.
- "Y-branches" off the main trunks.
- "Fringe" on the Y-branches; usually 3 beads, of a separate colour from the main "body". I have used large, single stone chips and shell components as the fringe element, however.
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Considerations, before starting:
- Size and colours of the main body and fringe beads.
- Shape, size, number and colour of the "head" beads.
- Number and length of main trunks. This is an important decision, determining the length and "bushiness" of the earrings. Also; I like to use numbers that are one or two digits above a multiple of 3 for the trunks. Since I usually space the Y-branches 3 beads apart, this puts Y-branches near the head and keeps the hole in the bottom of the head bead relatively clear.
- I use a fine nylon thread, with the narrowest beading needle that I can find in my tackle box.
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What I call "Y-branch", is the basic unit of coral-stitch.
In order to create the "Y":
-Thread on 6 beads of the main body colour and the beads (usually 3) of Fringe "B" ["B" comes first in my drawing].
Three of the 6 body beads will be the "stem" of the Y, the next 3 beads make Branch "B" of the Y.
- Pass the needle through the fringe beads, keeping tension on the thread and pass the needle back through the beads of Branch "B", again.
- String on 3 beads of main colour (Branch "A" in drawing) and another set of fringe beads. Before passing the needle back through the Branch "A" beads, make sure that Branch "B" hasn't picked up any slack. If necessary, gently pinch "B" between fingers and pull on the needle end of the thread to regain tension. Use this technique often to maintain thread tension.
- Pass the needle back through the beads of Branch "A", check tension and then pass needle back through the "stem" beads.
You're done the Y-branch!
N.B. - At the bottom of the trunk, the "first" Y-branch utilizes 6 of the trunk beads in its construction; 3 trunk beads comprise Branch "B" and 3 more, the stem. It's easy to forget that the "first stem" also counts as the 3-bead space in the trunk, before the next Y-branch.
After finishing a Y-branch, pass the needle back inside the trunk and up, a 3-bead space, towards the head. Exit the trunk at that point and start the next Y-branch. Repeat.
Once you reach the "head" beads, pass the needle through the head and the jumpring, then back down through the head beads.
Take care that your needle doesn't pass through the top beads of previous trunk, immediately under the head. String on the beads of the new trunk.
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Variations:
Add different fringe colours/beads.
"Extend" the length of a Y-branch stem, creating a trunk bifurcation; then add more Y-branches.
Instead of just a two branch split in the Y, add a third and make tetrahedrons.
Experiment away.
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New coral-stitch earrings:
This is the pair of earrings created by the above demo. Various colours and sizes of glass bead and quartz crystal.
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Black and silver glass, wooden disks and white marble beads.
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Red and black glass, blue glass chips and red wood beads.
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Transparent blue and bronze glass and 'redstone' beads.
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Various coloured glass, wooden disk and moss agate beads.
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Loomwork beadwork, applied to carved leather purse.
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My coral-stitch beadwork photo gallery and general beadwork photo gallery
Updated,when new pics uploaded.
Few fave posts:
Busted pictograph trip.
Last tasty bit.
Bringing the Bassalope.
Merry season.
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Remember:
- Johnny has thumbs.
- He's prolly bigger than you are.
- His evil is weak.
- His squeak is worse than his bite.
- Johnny's the goof, but he once saved Sage from a Rottweiler pup by busting his harness and charging the beastie.
Remember:
- Sage is small and fraidy.
- Her growl is incongruous.
- (She's the serious one).
- You can call her "Kiiiittty".
- She wants to check her email... Now.
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