10 Unique Ways to Use Bugle Beads in Jewelry Making

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Bugle Bead Jewelry Inspiration

Do you like working with bugle beads in your jewelry making projects? Perhaps you bought a few tubes several years ago, and they have been hiding in the corner of your bead stash ever since. Don’t feel bad; bugle beads are a challenging shape to work with, and some people simply don’t like using them, for various reasons. If you don’t consider yourself to be a fan of the bugle, perhaps you could give them another chance?

Each design featured below has it’s own corresponding blog post, and full video tutorial, with easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. If you are struggling to come up with ways to use bugle beads, or haven’t desired to give them a second look, perhaps something here will pique your interest.

 

Tip: For bugle beads that are more uniform in shape, length, and quality, use the Japanese brand, Miyuki. Lesser quality beads are usually a little cheaper, but they are usually much more jagged and uneven. 

10 Ways to Use Bugle Beads:

russian spiral beaded bugle bracelet

1. Russian Spiral Beading Stitch

Classic Russian Spiral beading stitch with 3mm bugles, and 15/0 and 11/0 seed beads. This is a great beading project for beginning bead weavers, or those with less experience. Turn this beaded rope into a necklace, or a bracelet.

2. Laces Out Bracelet

Weave 3mm fire polish beads into a length of right angle weave beading stitch. Then embellish the top with 3mm bugle beads and 11/0 seed beads in a chevron or diagonal pattern.

double diamond bugle and bicone beaded earrings tutorial

3. Double Diamond Earrings

Free Pattern Download Available

A very simple bead weaving project, which incorporates 6mm bugles, 4mm bicones, and 11/0 seed beads.  Weave the beads into two connecting diamonds, and sew directly onto post earring findings.

4. Beguiling Bugle Bracelet

Looking for a tutorial, which simply requires bugle and seed beads? Both 3mm and 6mm bugles may be used in this design. Change up the colors completely for a different look.

5. Looking Sharp Bracelet

Use either 3mm or 6mm bugle beads and right angle weave beading stitch to create the foundation of this design. Superduos and Prong beads are also incorporated along the edges.

6. Ribbon Bugle Bead Bracelet

6mm bugle beads, sewn in a long strip of ladder stitch, and woven together with 11/o and 15/0 seed beads.

A unique project for bead weavers looking for an intermediate pattern.

bugle bead ribbon bracelet

backlit bracelet turquoise and bronze

7. Backlit Bracelet

A quick project with a modern, but complex look. This pattern requires 6mm bugles, CzechMates two-hole Crescents, Miyuki Tilas, and Czech Tea Cup beads.

8. Nexus Bracelet

This structural design is built with a base of Miyuki Tila beads, 11/0 seed beads, and 3mm bugles. 6mm bugle beads are overlaid in a criss-cross pattern.

Click here >> Nexus Bracelet Tutorial

nexus beaded bracelet pattern

half nexus bracelet black gold

9. Half Nexus Bracelet

A spin-off of the original Nexus bracelet, this design is created in the exact same way.  The difference, however, is that Half Tila beads are used in the base layer, instead of full-size Tila beads.

10. Bugle Bead Netting and Tile Bracelet

3mm bugle beads are woven together with 11/0 seed beads in the herringbone beading stitch. Rows of herringbone alternate with CzechMates two-hole tile beads to create a netted, almost fabric-like feel.

Bugle Bead Netting and Tile Bracelet

Need More Ideas?

GOLD BUGLE BEADS

Think beyond bead weaving too. How about beaded hair accessories, bead embroidery projects, and decor?

Stay tuned for more original bugle bead patterns, and project ideas to come. In the meantime, make sure you’re following me on Pinterest, where I pin inspiring images of many different kinds of beads used in a wide variety of projects. 

This post may contain affiliate links, which may provide me with a small amount of commission at no cost to you; however, the thoughts/opinions I have expressed are 100% my own.

 

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Instant Download Beading Patterns:

Find the growing collection of instant download beading patterns for my original beaded jewelry designs. All patterns are accompanied by a corresponding, free beading tutorial video in case you would like to refer to video instruction while you bead. 

Simply purchase a pattern, and after checkout the link to download the PDF document instantly will be available.

You may easily search the Orchid and Opal Design Index for the name of the pattern you have purchased, and follow the linked image to find the blog post that contains the video. 

Beaded Jewelry Inspiration:

The jewelry in this category may be sold, but I am usually able to recreate similar designs, upon request. Viewing out of stock jewelry pieces also provides a helpful archive of beading inspiration, and a way to see past jewelry creations that have travelled to new homes. Many pieces include materials from past bead subscription boxes that I have unboxed on my YouTube channel.

I am humbled to say that the pieces found in this category have been shipped to satisfied customers in practically many corners of the world! 

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