How to Make Beaded Right Angle Weave (RAW) Stars

Learn to create little star shaped beads that glitter and sparkle to use in your latest jewelry making/beadwork project.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 10 Top drilled bicones (the smaller the bicone, the smaller the finished star is) eg: 6mm will make a smaller star than 8mm
• Clear Thread (I like Fireline, but you can use whatever you have available. Experiment to find what works and looks best)
• 2 Big Eye Beading Needles
• Scissors
• Lighter or Thread Burner
• Knowledge of Right Angle Weave is helpful

1. 
    

   Cut a 12-15 inch length of your chosen thread.

2. 
    

   Thread one big eye needle on each end of the cut thread.

3. 
    

   Thread 4 bicones onto the thread.

4. 
    

   Go through the first bicone on the left with the thread on the right, threading from left to right through the first bicone only. Pull tight, and you will have a diamond shape with a bicone at each point.

5. 
    

   Add one bicone to each end of the thread. Add a second bicone to the thread on the left.

6. 
    

   Go through the second bicone you added in step 5 with the right thread, threading from left to right.

7. 
    

   Repeat step 6. You will have a strip of RAW that is 3 units long.

8. 
    

   Go through the very first bicone in the strip with the left thread going from left to right and the right thread going right to left.

9. 
    

   Pull tight to make a ball.

10. Square knot the ends together. Carefully burn the ends of the thread to seal the knot.

11. Allow to cool, then use in your next design! They can be threaded on headpins, eyepins, wire, thread, etc. just like a bead.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't burn the thread too much when sealing the knot, or your star will fall apart.
• I feel more comfortable not using needles on the ends of the thread. Both methods work, do whatever feels best to you.
• Scissors are sharp! Be careful!!!
• Needles are sharp! Be careful!!!
• Lighters/Thread Burners are hot! Be careful!!!
• This is not a project for children, due to the small parts and dangerous objects. Please supervise your children around your workspace.

[bflyjamie]

on 10/27/2008 Thanks for the compliments. I love making these, they're so cute! ;)

[amylaine]

on 10/27/2008 Wow, great step by step. You make it look so easy. 5 stars.

[Beadbug]

on 10/26/2008 WOW these will be great for packages at Christmas and even for the mini treet I make! ^5******

[Psalmist4M]

on 10/26/2008 Neat,well written article too. Thanks for sharing. 5*s

[motherNN]

on 10/26/2008 This is so CLEVER!!