Easy Bicone and Bugle Bead Earrings Tutorial

watch the video

Welcome!

Hey beautiful! Today I am back with an easy bicone and bugle bead earring tutorial, which incorporates just three common beads: 11/0 Seed Beads, 6mm Bugle Beads, and 4mm Crystal Bicones. We will bead two sparkly diamond-shaped components together, inserting a post earring finding onto one of them, and neatly finishing off the back. Please see below for the full list of materials, and direct links to the products I am using. Enjoy!

Materials List (1 Pair)

✿ Shop Beebeecraft | Coupon: OPAL5 | Free Ship on Orders $25+ (allow 2-4 wks) ✿

✔ 16 – 4mm Crystal Bicone Beads
✔ 16 – 6mm Bugle Beads
✔ 11/0 Seed Beads
✔ 2 – Post Earring Findings (12x4mm, Pin: 0.7mm)
✔ 6ft – 6lb. Fireline, or Beading Thread of Choice
✔ Beading Needle, Size 10
✔ Scissors

Tip: Bugle beads may have rough edges, especially brands other than Miyuki. To avoid accidentally cutting your beading thread (so annoying, right?!), be especially gentle when pulling the thread through the beads to tighten your work. No yanking! 🙂

If you don’t have, or plan to pick up post earring findings, but you have fishhook style earring findings, for example, feel free to use those instead. Simply close up the backs of both diamond components with seed beads, then attach an ear wire to the top of the beadwork. You may perhaps make an additional loop of seed beads that you can attach the ear wire to, or attach in between the top seed beads.

Step by Step Instructions:

Step 01. Pick up (4) Seed Beads (SB), and slide down the thread, leaving a 4-6″ tail. Sew back through the beads at least once more to form a loop, as shown. 

Step 02. Pick up (1) Bicone, (1) SB, (1) Bugle, (1) SB, (1) Bicone. Sew through the opposite hole of the SB that you exited from.

Step 03. Gently, pull the thread taught to bring the beads together. One at a time, sew through the next two SB, and exit out of the seed bead on the opposite side.

Step 04. Pick up (1) Bicone, (1) SB, (1) Bugle, (1) SB, (1) Bicone. Sew through the opposite hole of the SB that was exited.

Step 05. Sew back down through the Bicone, SB, Bugle, and SB. Pick up (1) Bugle, and sew through the SB on the opposite side, as shown.

Step 06. Sew through the next Bugle and SB. Pick up another Bugle, and sew through the SB on the opposite side, as shown. Sew through the next Bugle.

Step 07. Pick up (2) SB, and Sew through the next Bugle. Repeat this step, adding (2) SB in each corner. Exit from the first seed bead you added in this step.

Step 08. Pick up (1) SB, and sew through the second SB in the corner, the Bugle, and the next SB. Repeat this, adding (1) additional SB to each corner. 

Step 09. Make sure you are exiting from one of the Seed Beads in a corner, in order to proceed to the next step.

Step 10. Pick up (3) SB, and Sew through the opposite side of the SB that you had exited.

Step 11. One at a time, sew through the next (2) SB, and exit from the SB on the end.

Step 12. Pick up (1) Bicone, (1) SB, (1) Bicone, (1) SB, and (1) Bugle. Sew through the opposite side of the SB you had exited from. Sew up through the Bicone and SB.

Step 13. Pick up (3) SB, and sew through the opposite side of the SB that you had exited.

Step 14. One at a time, sew through the next (2) SB, and exit from the SB on the end.

Step 15. Pick up (1) Bicone, (1) SB, (1) Bugle, (1) SB, (1) Bicone. Sew through the opposite hole of the SB that you exited from. Then, sew through the next Bicone, SB, Bugle, and SB.

Step 16. Pick up (1) Bugle, and sew through the SB on the opposite side. Then sew through the Bugle, and the next SB.

Step 17. Pick up (1) Bugle, and sew through the SB on the opposite side. Then sew through the next Bugle.

Step 18. Pick up (2) SB, then sew through the next Bugle. 

Step 19. Repeat step 18. Then, sew up and down through the next (2) SB.

Step 20. Sew through the next Bugle. Add (2) SB to the remaining corner, then sew through the Bugle, and next SB. 

Step 21. Pick up (1) SB, then sew through the next SB, Bugle, SB. With the exception of the point where the two beaded squares join, continue sewing around, adding (1) SB to each corner.

Step 22. Follow thread path, and exit from one of the SB in the corner, which directly precedes one of the bicones. Pick up (5) SB, and sew through the SB in the next corner. Repeat, adding (5) SB on each side.

Step 23. Exit from the third SB in the first set of (5). Then, sew through the third SB in the next set of (5). Repeat all the way around until you return through the SB where you started.

Step 24. Sew through those same central (4) seed beads at least two more times, bringing all of the beads together, and pulling tightly after each bead.

Step 25. Repeat steps 22-24 to complete the back of the second diamond; however, insert the earring post after step 23, and then tighten the central (4) SB around it. 

✿ This is an Orchid and Opal original beadweaving design

✿ Beebeecraft provided me with some materials to create this pattern; however, the thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% my own.

If you Like this Tutorial...

While you’re here, check out the tutorial for my Rose Montee Marquise beaded bracelet:

watch the video

Also, check out the post called 10 Unique Ways to Use Bugle Beads in Jewelry.

Want More Beading Tutorials?

Most of my pieces are inspired by the mystery contents of monthly bead boxes. Curious which bead box is the best (for you)? Check out this video for more info!

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.

 

Shop Handmade Jewelry by Category:

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! 

Have any Question or Comment?

Leave a Reply

Categories