Western Waterfall Earrings

by TierraCast on 03/03/22

Additional Images:

Project details:

Wonderful waterfall seed bead earrings in a southwest colorway. Designed by Tracy Proctor.

Tip: Keep thread tension tight but not overly tight throughout. Don't miss any beads when passing needle back through strands. Do smooth each strand before starting next to make sure there is no excess slack in thread. Seed beads can be insconsistent in size. Choose similarly sized beads for best results.

↓ Step-by-step

↓ Buy the supplies

Supplies you’ll need:

2 Concho Clip-on Earring 2 Desert Landscape Link
2 Oval Jump Ring Size 11 Round Seed Beads, off-white A Size 11 Round Seed Beads, turquoise B Size 11 Round Seed Beads, red-brown C Size 11 Round Seed Beads, silver D Braided or Bonded Beading Thread, white

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1

Cut a 4' piece of thread. Thread needle onto one end.

Step 2

Tie other end to bottom opening of link using a double overhand knot, leaving a 4" tail. Pull tight and position knot on outside edge.

Step 3

Pick up 2 A beads and bring down to knot. In Step 4 the second bead will be flipped over to lie next to the first.

Step 4

Pass needle behind and through opening then up through second bead. Pull to take up slack.

Step 5

Pick up 1 A bead and repeat Step 4.

Step 6

Repeat Steps 4-5 six times for a total of 9 A beads.

Step 7

Row 1: Pick up 1 D bead, 12 B beads, 1 D bead, 14 A beads, 1 D bead, 1 B bead, 1 D bead, 4 C beads and 1 D bead. Bring all beads to A bead on link. Skipping final D bead pass needle back through all beads including original A bead, then down through next A bead.

Step 8

Rows 2-9 - Repeat Step 8 eight times following the patterns below, exiting through the first A bead (Fig 7):
Row 2: 1 A, 1 D, 12 B, 1 D, 13 A, 1 D, 2 B, 5 C, 1 D
Row 3: 1 A, 1 D, 10 B, 1 D, 1 C, 1 D, 11 A, 1 D, 4 B, 1 D, 7 C, 1 D
Row 4: 3 A, 1 D, 7 B, 1 D, 4 C, 1 D, 8 A, 1 D, 5 B, 1 D, 9 C, 1 D
Row 5: 3 A, 1 D, 7 B, 1 D, 4 C, 1 D, 7 A, 1 D, 7 B, 1 D, 10 C, 1 D
Row 6: 4 A, 1 D, 5 B, 1 D, 6 C, 1 D, 5 A, 1 D, 9 B, 1 D, 7 C, 1 D
Row 7: 6 A, 1 D, 3 B, 1 D, 8 C, 1 D, 2 A, 1 D, 9 B, 1 D, 6 C , 1 D
Row 8: 6 A, 1 D, 2 B, 1 D, 10 C, 1 D, 9 B, 1 D, 6 C, 1 D
Row 9: 5 A, 1 D, 2 B, 1 D, 9 C, 1 D, 9 B, 1 D, 6 C, 1 D

Step 9

Pass needle back down through previous spacer bead, then form an overhand knot between spacer and A bead (pass needle around thread to form loop then pass needle through loop and pull tight).