Bumps In The Road - Learning Peyote Stitch

Purple, Orange & Green "Bumps in the Road"

I started beading in January of 2014. Peyote stitch was one of the stitches I am learning.

This bracelet is a unique design, using three different sizes of beads. The beaded toggle clasp makes it a very casual bracelet, without added embellishment.

Aqua & Green & Gold "Bumps in the Road"

My sister has been beading for a number of years and after recovering from a broken wrist, realized she was unable to continue with the bead weaving. She is now bead stringing.

Because bead stringing doesn't use a lot of seed beads, she sent me a mess of ones she had on hand. I now have many seed beads of many colors. She also sent me a couple of magazines.

Cobalt Blue & Silver "Bumps in the Road"

As I was looking through the November/December 2007 edition of Step by Step Beads, and found this pattern by Beverly Herman, called "Bumps in the Road". This turned out to be a great pattern to use some of those seed beads my sister added to my stash, as well as learn peyote stitch.

Cream & Brown "Bumps in the Road"

As the pattern immediately appealed to me, and I was eager to get started. The pattern uses size 10, size 8 and size 6 beads.

Metallic Purple & Iridescent "Bumps in the Road"

I had never stitched peyote anything. I started by making a swatch to get the general feel of it and within the hour, dove right in to attempt making the bracelet.

Green & Gold "Bumps in the Road"

Adding beads, while keeping even tension on the thread, takes a bit of getting used to. 

Brown & Gold "Bumps in the Road"

In this particular bracelet, the tighter the weave, makes a 'bumpier' bracelet. Being a beginner beader, I don't know how many tries it took until I could get the bumps uniform and my tension right..

I am totally self taught, and I didn't realise how much tension is really required while beading some projects.

Gold & Purple "Bumps in the Road"

The combinations that can be used making this bracelet are endless.

Light Blue & Silver "Bumps in the Road"

Peyote Stitch is very versatile. So many things can be made with this stitch, from lighter covers to bracelets to amulet bags. A must have stitch for every beginner beader.