- 1). Cut a 2-foot length of beading thread. Run the thread through the beading wax. Beading wax helps keep the silk thread from fraying as it passes through the beads multiple times.
- 2). Pull the waxed thread through a size 10 beading needle, pulling the thread at least 12 inches through the eye.
- 3). Thread one size 11 seed bead to the end of the thread. Anchor the bead in place by reinserting the needle and thread around and through it three more times. This bead will be part of your work.
- 4). Thread 15 additional size 11 seed beads in the same color as the anchor bead to the anchor bead. For these instructions, this color bead will be A. The width of the bookmark will be 16 beads wide. Adjust this number if you prefer a wider or a thinner bookmark. If you adjust the number of beads, make sure that the overall total is an even number.
- 5). Pick up one size 11 seed bead in the second color, or color B. Slide the bead to meet the beads on the thread. Skip the last bead in the first row and insert the needle back through the second to last bead in the first row. Pull the thread taut. The new bead added will sit atop the beads on the first row.
- 6). Continue to pick up a B color bead, skip one bead in the first row and pass the needle through the next bead, to the end of the row. Always pull the thread taut through the beads.
- 7). Pick up an A bead at the end of the second row. Pass the needle back through the last bead added in the second row. Pick up another A bead, skip the next bead in the second row and pass the needle through the third bead. Continue to the end of the row.
- 8). Make rows until the bookmark is the desired length. Add thread as needed using a square knot. At the end of the piece, work the thread back down through the work. You can also tie a knot, cover it with jeweler’s glue and trim the excess.
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