Simply Seeds: 20 Timeless and Enchanting Seed Bead Patterns

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I love seeing all the new and interesting ways that beadwork designers are using seed beads, forgoing the multi-hole shaped beads that have taken over the bead weaving world. It provides a unique challenge, creating a design that feels timeless using only the basic building blocks of seed beads and single-hole beads like bugles, crystal bicones, and pearls. I am constantly impressed and inspired by those who can do it, and I’m always on the lookout for beautiful new “Simply Seeds” seed bead patterns.

We’ve collected some of our Simply Seeds beading patterns into two eBooks, and I’ve selected my favorites that stand out as timeless designs that are enduring and enchanting. I’ll also share the materials lists for a few of the projects so you can see just how few materials are needed to create some of these beaded wonders.

Beadwork Presents: 10 Seed Bead Patterns

In the eBook Beadwork Presents: 10 Seed Bead Patterns, there are beginner and intermediate projects to keep any seed beader busy for a while! These are the kinds of projects that you dive into when you want to have something to work on, something to stretch your skills, and the repetitive nature of many stitches can even become a tool to meditate with. These are my three favorites from this eBook:

Golden Twist Necklace by Ludmila Raitzin

Use seed beads and easy-to-find pearls to stitch this feminine and romantic-looking necklace using a combination of several stitches, including a variation of St. Petersburg stitch.

Materials

2 g metallic gold size 15° Czech charlottes
1 g gold-lined clear size 15° Japanese seed beads
10 g matte gold metallic size 11° Czech one-cut seed beads
5 g metallic bronze size 11° Japanese seed beads
5 g gold-lined clear size 11° Japanese seed beads
20 g matte gold metallic size 11° hex seed beads
148 cream 3mm crystal pearls
4 cream 4–6×2–3mm keishi pearls
Clear 6 lb braided beading thread
Clear jeweler’s glue

Winter Solstice Bracelet by Marcie Abney

Tiny beaded stars are created individually, then woven together to create the look of vintage filigree.

Materials

6 g matte gunmetal size 15° seed beads
6 g light gold metallic size 11° Czech seed beads
1 g silver-lined clear size 11° Czech seed beads
Black size D nylon beading thread

Mosaico Earrings by Maggie Meister

This peyote-stitched earring design references the ancient mosaics found in the floors of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Materials

3 g white luster size 11° cylinder beads
1 g matte black size 11° cylinder beads
3 g metallic antique gold size 11° cylinder beads
2 spinel 7×9mm briolettes
12 spinel 2mm rounds
2 gold ear posts with 10mm flat discs
Gold nylon beading thread

Beadwork Presents: 10 More Seed Bead Patterns

There’s no such thing as too many Simply Seeds patterns, so the Beadwork Presents: 10 More Seed Bead Patterns eBook is a welcome addition! Stretch your skills with embellished peyote bands, using beadwork to form geometric shapes, and an advanced-level project featuring cubic right-angle weave. These are my favorite seed bead patterns from this eBook:

Peyote Ruffles Bracelet by Carol Mundy

Give a simple peyote band excitement and texture with easy-to-bead ruffles.

Materials

30 g dark topaz rainbow gold luster size 11° cylinder beads
10 g silver-lined dark topaz AB size 8° seed beads
1 copper 6×21 mm 3-strand magnetic tube slide clasp
Smoke 6 lb braided beading thread

Peyote Star Earrings by Barbara Richard

Work up a few quick rounds of circular peyote stitch to create the versatile star-shaped components spotlighted in these charming dangles.

Materials

1 g dark bronze size 11° Japanese seed beads
1 g gold size 11° Japanese seed beads
2 vermeil 2×3 mm cornerless rectangles
4 gold-filled 3.5mm jump rings
2 gold-filled 22-gauge 1-1/2″ head pins
1 pair of gold-filled 3/4″ ear wires
Brown nylon beading thread
Beading wax

Lantern Earrings by Sára Zsadon

Use only size 11° seed beads, an advanced iteration of cubic right-angle weave, and a simple shape to create a fabulous pair of earrings.

Materials

5 g metallic copper iris size 11º seed beads (A)
1 pair of silver 1-1/4″ ear wires
Smoke 6 lb braided beading thread

We seed bead weavers enjoy the challenge of finding new ways to use tiny beads to create form and structure that is beautiful and the joy and amazement that comes from the result. There’s nothing better than finishing a beaded piece, showing it off to non-beaders, and watching them try to figure out how it’s made. “You MADE this?!” is one of the best compliments a beader can get! We’ve been working hard to include more Simply Seeds projects in our pages. We hope that you have taken notice and are loving it as much as we are.  Keep on beading, beaders, and send us your seed bead patterns.

Meredith Steele
Former Technical Editor, Beadwork magazine

Can’t get enough seed beads? Here are five seed bead patterns you’ll love!