Keystone Mandala Pendant by Silke Steuernagel

Silke Steuernagel’s Keystone Mandala Pendant immediately grabbed the attention of our editorial staff as soon as we saw a photo. We knew this piece would be popular, with its dynamic use of shaped beads and its mesmerizing kaleidoscope look. Beadwork’s technical editor, Meredith Steele, shares what she loves most about this project.

“I am constantly inspired by the projects that Beadwork magazine publishes, but every once in a while something crosses my desk that really stands out from the crowd. When I first cast my eyes upon Silke Steuernagel’s Keystone Mandala Pendant, I was really impressed. It got the rare “three bead” difficulty rating! However, while I was admiring the Keystone Mandala Pendant, I came to a realization: even a beginner could be successful at this project. The layers of beadwork using ELEVEN different kinds of beads create an intricate melody that looks complicated, but the project directions are surprisingly easy to follow.

I find that the hardest part of any project is selecting the colors of beads. Don’t worry, we’ve put together a kit for this project, so you don’t have to spend time choosing and can just enjoy the pendant. I encourage you to pick up the kit and try this project even if you think it looks complicated, because creating something impressive is one of the greatest rewards of beading!”

—Meredith Steele
Beadwork Technical Editor

Find it today in Beadwork June/July 2018.

Transform a sparkling crystal rivoli and a dazzling mix of glass and crystal beads into Silke Steuernagel’s Keystone Mandala Pendant, which is as mesmerizing as a kaleidoscope.

Techniques: Tubular and circular netting, herringbone stitch

Project level: Advanced

Materials:
1 g semi-glazed dark red rainbow size 15° seed beads (A)
2 g dark topaz rainbow frosted transparent size 11° seed beads (B)
24 matte metallic antique copper 6mm 4-hole QuadraTiles (C)
8 halo Verona 6mm 2-hole CzechMates tiles (D)
8 green ultra-luster opaque 7mm 2-hole CzechMates cabochons (E)
24 topaz 10×3mm 2-hole crescent beads (F)
8 red magma 4mm crystal bicones (G)
8 copper 7×13mm crystal keystone beads (H)
1 foil-back peridot 14mm crystal rivoli
8 halo ethereal sandalwood 3mm fire-polished rounds (J)
24 green luster opaque 3mm English-cut rounds (K)
Crystal 4 lb FireLine braided beading thread

Tools:
Scissors
Size 12 beading needle

Finished size: 2″

Artist’s Tips:
• Take care to inspect the shaped beads for sharp or plugged holes or damaged surfaces before stringing them into the beadwork.
• If there’s too much thread showing between the J of Round 5, add 1A between the J.
• String the pendant on a leather cord with a sliding knot. Learn how to tie a sliding knot here.

Alternate Colorways:
GREEN/PINK
1 g bronze size 15° seed beads (A)
2 g metallic nebula size 11° seed beads (B)
24 sueded gold Atlantis green 6mm 4-hole QuadraTiles (C)
8 halo madder rose 6mm 2-hole CzechMates tiles (D)
8 white opaque luster 7mm 2-hole CzechMates cabochons (E)
24 metallic emerald saturated 10×3mm 2-hole crescent beads (F)
8 halo ethereal madder rose 4mm fire-polished rounds (G)
8 crystal silver shade 7×13mm crystal keystone beads (H)
1 foil-back black diamond 14mm crystal rivoli
8 halo ethereal heavens 3mm fire-polished rounds (J)
Crystal 4 lb FireLine braided beading thread

BLACK
1 g jet opaque size 15° seed beads (A)
2 g aluminum galvanized permanent-finish size 11° seed beads (B)
24 matte purple opaque 6mm 4-hole QuadraTiles (C)
8 hematite 6mm 2-hole CzechMates tiles (D)
8 jet 7mm 2-hole CzechMates cabochons (E)
24 Rosaline iris luster 10×3mm 2-hole crescent beads (F)
8 jet 4mm crystal bicones (G)
8 burgundy 7×13mm crystal keystone beads (H)
1 foil-back light rose 14mm crystal rivoli
8 metallic pink suede 3mm fire-polished rounds (J)
24 mocca AB 3mm crystal bicones (K)
Crystal 4 lb FireLine braided beading thread

SILKE STEUERNAGEL is a German bead-weaving author, editor, and illustrator. She’s a member of the Starman TrendSetter team, and she sells tutorials and kits in her Etsy shop, www.starperlen.etsy.com. Contact her via email at silke@starperlen.de.

To find more projects and patterns, visit the Interweave Store!