Now it’s time to go to your stash again and pick out some larger beads you want to incorporate into the piece. You may either work with beads you pulled when you began or you can just grab anything that looks like it would work. Good choices are E beads, round, facetted, rondelle or chip semi-precious stone beds. Used with care (as they tend to cut thread) Swarovski crystals are gorgeous in a project like this. You can also use teardrops, window beads, druks, cubes; pretty much anything!.
The next part is easy to do, once you just start it! Begin by simply picking up beads, some little ones and occasionally a big one, and making loops along the sides of the peyote strip. Try not to go back and rip out any stitches. Remember, there are no mistakes with freeform! If a loop looks too big, simply weave back and tack it down to the base row. You can add Peyote stitch to some of the loops or leave them as they are. Connect loops to other loops or to the base row. Don't be afraid to double back and add stitches. Use your imagination and your personal sense of aesthetics to make the bracelet into your idea of what freeform peyote should look like. There are links to some beautiful freeform beaded pieces at the end of this article, so that you can see how other people interpret this technique.
Freeform Peyote Stitch Beaded Bracelet
From Paula S. Morgan, former About.com Guide
Step Four - Add Beads, Loops and Fun!
Adding Beads to the Peyote Stitch Base Rows
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- Step Four - Add Beads, Loops and Fun!