Peyote Woes, help request

I've used the WalMart stuff, and I found a solution that worked well enough for me. At the end of each and every row, pull it tight--without fail. That way, your tension stays about even throughout the entire piece, and it doesn't warp on one side. If it stays tight, it's evenly tight, and if it relaxes a bit, it does that evenly, too.

It helps if you go ahead and do a couple beads on the next row, then pause to go back and tighten up the last one. Just seems to "hold" easier in my hand when I do that.

After doing that stitch for a few months now, I can get my tension nice and even without thinking about--my hands just automatically make all the right motions and I don't even notice it anymore. You'll see--your hands will learn it too, Diana! I can't wait to see what you've been working on:)

My thought is to ditch the wallyworld crap and use spiderwire. Also, just make a few starter rows with plain beads to get your groove/tension going THEN start on the pattern. You can go back and rip out the starter rows later.

Barb

I can guarentee that the piece wont photograph well. To many little sparklys. Its light turquoise and gold beads that feel like cream when worked up. Thank you for the tip. Ill give it a shot. Cant hurt, at any rate! Diana

Okay, I've got a ? about using fishing line. When I tired to use mine, I always ended up messing up the line (kinking it) by pulling my pieces tight. Is it me, or what?

Pattern? oh... I may get brave and do a pattern someday. Technique first, then design. :-) Im starting out my first/second row with alternating gold/aqua, then working the third row in whichever color slides on my needle next. However, the idea of doing many rows to get the tension right makes sense. I wasnt aware that they could be removed. Thanks! Diana

The stuff can kink - use shorter pieces and add in more when you need to. You can also condition the spiderline with beeswax or thread heaven, it helps a little bit.

B.

Yup, just tie on a stopper bead on the end, then cut it off and rip out the rows carefully - leaving enough of a tail to weave in and secure the work.

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 14:30:47 -0400, Candace~ wrote (in message ):

Are you using a Spectra line? (Firewire or Power Pro - Spiderwire can also be made of Spectra, but it's not as dependable) Firewire and Power Pro have little or no stretch, and the thinner gauges (up to 10 lb) have never kinked on me.

Monofilament (everything but Spectra) will kink every time and drive you crazy. I know that lots of people prefer Nymo, Silamide or some such, but I've switched to Spectra lines exclusively. I find them so much easier to work with, and the lack of color choice hasn't bothered me in the least. At the worst, if I'm doing a stitch where thread color matters, Sharpie markers come in loads of colors, and it's simple to run the thread over a marker.

Kathy N-V

I cannot use Spider wire. It is too big. I like to peyote with 11's and need to use thread. To me the use of a needle is easier when you need to pick up the bead.

Yep--monofilament. Poo on that. I do like using Nymo for weaving, though, so it's that big of a deal:) Thanks, Kathy!

Toss the crap, Diana! =o)

Beading should be enjoyable, not frustrating.

Also, email me your shipping address. I can help you out with some better products to try.

Beki

Hi, Diana, I'm a total novice to the peyote stitch. The first flat thing I did was with dental floss. It moves fluid-ly and for practice seems ok.

The next thing I did was with Egyptian cotton quilting thread (it matched my beads) and wax. Also not sure if it will last, but I had no tension problems.

Are any of these methods durable?

If you send me your snail address, I can send you some firewire.

Vicki V

Diana -- what color stringing material do you need most? Second most? LET ME KNOW. You will be happy you did. ~~ Sooz To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~~Joseph Chilton Pearce

I'd pull the stopper bead off.....not cut it off. You might -- probably not, but MIGHT -- have too little thread left there to work with. ~~ Sooz To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~~Joseph Chilton Pearce

Well... gosh.. I dont *know* what color I might need most. My goal was to learn to make a band so I could make Sarah a blue and silver watch band... after that my next goal is to make a black amulet bag with a rose design. So, you tell me, what do I need? :-) Diana

Thank you Vicki, Looks like Sooz and Becki are going to inundate me with threads ... thank you very much for your offer. Can I take a raincheck? Diana

No. My first peyote project also was made with dental floss. A few months later, the rows started to "unzip"-- it has been completely rewoven now. With beading nylon.

Cotton thead will "rot"-- especially if the piece gets wet, sweaty, perfumed, etc. Or, just if it gets old. The wax will help, but not forever, and most of the wax was probably rubbed off by passing the thread through the beads. Kaytee "Simplexities" on

Just email me your snail and it'll be on its way to you when needed.

Are you having as much fun with the peyote stitch as I? I can't wait for dinner to be over so I can get out the beads. Am really loving tubular peyote. (Wonder if that's how the Tubular slang got started.

Vicki V

Thanks, Kaytee! I'll take them apart and start over, now that I can. And the stitch goes so quickly.

Vicki V