How to Make a Peyote Starter Strip

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By thebeaddoodler
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Peyote Dragons

Are you frustrated by those first few rows of peyote? Do you find it hard to keep it from twisting? Here's a solution for you. Make a starter strip of peyote. Seed beads make beautiful peyote projects, but the beads don't sit together solidly and those first three or four rows can be a real hassle. The solution is to make a starter strip from Delicas or other cylinder beads that will sit nicely together. By using the two needle start shown below and cylinder beads, you will eliminate the twist. . . and a lot of frustration

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

beading thread
two beading needles
cylinder beads
a little time

Step 1

Thread a needle onto each end of a comfortable length of beading thread
Step 2

step 2

Pick up two beads and slide them to the center of the thread.
Step 3

step 3

Pass both needles through a third bead in the same direction.
Step 4

step 4

Pick up one bead on each needle and pass both needles through a third bead. Pull the thread taut and settle the beads together as shown.
Step 5

* Repeat step 4 until your strip is as long as you want it. Pull the thread taut after each addition and settle the bead together as shown. I made my starter strip six inches long because I rarely bead anything bigger than five or six inches across.
You can use this starter strip for any project the same size or smaller.
Step 6

Drop your left needle (or if your left handed, drop the right one), turn and peyote a couple or three more rows. Tie off both threads and weave in the tails.
Step 7

start of new project

When you're ready to start on another project, just tie on a stop bead and start beading your pattern. After you've got four or five rows of your pattern beaded, you should have a good steady base and can carefully remove the stop bead and remove your project from your starter strip.