3. Valley-fold the top and bottom corners to meet at the center, where the creases intersect.
4. Use the existing creases to collapse the form, moving the left and right corners to the bottom.
5. Valley-fold the bottom corners up, tucking them inside the paper, forming two triangle-shaped interior tabs.
6. Fit one corner of a Square Bead into the Bead Cap. Use the two interior tabs of the Bead Cap to align the pieces, fitting them into the corner pockets of the Square Bead. Use a little glue or paste to secure the cap permanently.
7. The completed Triangle Bead Cap on a Square Bead.
Bead Cap Variations
Here is the Pentagon Bead Cap (see the folding method described in the sidebar). See page 26 for a Fish-Shaped Bead that showcases this cap.
Square Bead Cap: Omit the corner folds at step 3, and then proceeding to collapse the shape and fold the two tabs inside. Attach as in step 6.
Fan-folding the free corner of a Square Bead Cap makes a lovely triangle pattern, called “Fiesta.” This is especially effective when using paper that is colored differently on each side.
Pentagon Bead Cap
1. Fold Triangle Bead Cap steps 1 and 2; at step 3, fold the top and bottom corners only to the level indicated by the crease-ends, marked by the “X” arrowhead in the diagram.
2. Use the existing creases to collapse the form, moving the left and right corners to the bottom.
3. Valley-fold the bottom corners up, tucking them inside the paper, forming two triangle-shaped interior tabs.
4. The completed Pentagon Bead Cap, attached to a square bead using the method demonstrated in step 6.
Square Bead Mounting Covers
Designed by Michael G. LaFosse from traditional bases
A blintzed square is attached to the outside of a Square Bead. It may be calculated to cover the Square Bead exactly or it may be folded from larger paper that will solidly frame a Square Bead. Structurally, Square Beads are sturdier with Mounting Covers, and the covers provide a handy way to conceal a wire or a string. Mounting Covers allow you to feature a design or pattern of the paper without interrupting creases. They also help secure the other two halves of the Square Bead.
Basic Square Bead Cover: The cover is calculated to fit the size of a Square Bead exactly; one or both sides of the Square Bead may be covered. The decorative effect of this cover is to make a clean tile out of the Square Bead, without the diagonal delineation. Functionally, this cover makes tiled arrays of Square Beads look clean and elegant by canceling the wirework.
1. Measure the length of the Square Bead you wish to cover, and then trim the square cover paper to be 1½ times as long.
2. Beginning with the non-display side up, valley-fold in half diagonally both ways, unfolding after each. Make only short creases, just enough to mark the center of the square.
3. Valley-fold each of the four corners to the center where the creases cross. Unfold.
4. Apply paste to the inside of each of the four triangular flaps of the framing paper. Tuck each of the four corners into the open pockets at the edges of the Square Bead. Notice that you could paste an eye pin (A) or insert a stringing cord (B).
5. The completed single Square Bead Mounting Cover, front and back. You could also apply a second cover to the other side.
Tile Bib Necklace
6. Make two strands each of graduated sizes of Square Beads, connect diagonally using beading wire and glue.
7. Arrange the strands as shown. (A) Paste the horizontal cords in place. Let dry completely. (B) Paste an eye pin on each of the two top, outermost squares, indicated with an “X” arrowhead. (C) Apply a Mounting Cover to the back of each Square Bead. Let dry completely.
8. Turn over.
9. The completed tiled Bib with eye pins, ready for mounting to a neck chain.
Pillow Beads
Designed by Michael G. LaFosse from traditional bases
