OK, it might sound like an odd question, “How do you duo?” What I am really referring to are the new Superduo beads that are being put out by beadmakers in the Czech Republic.
Duo or Duette?
Well, these are “duo” and the reason behind the name is apparent when you look at the beads — they have 2 holes!
These are classified as seed beads, and are 2.5 x 5 mm in size. They are roughly oval in shape, but they have an interesting profile.
Seen from the side, the ends are tapered and the middle has a bit of a bulge. (Hmmm, I think I can relate to that, LOL.) 😀
The unusual shape, along with the two holes lends itself to all kinds of stitch variations and design possibilities.
Colors and Patterns – Oh My!
I have to hand it to the Czech beadmakers — they have definitely been upping their game in the last couple of years. I’ll admit, I used to pretty much ignore the Czech beads, aside from maybe the Charlottes. The colors weren’t exciting, the beads looked, umm, cheap — with the exception of the fire polished glass beads.
Now, I feel like I am in a candy store! There are neon colors, cool patterns like Picasso and Travertine, and a slew of other colors and patterns that will be having the Japanese beadmakers playing catch-up. The beads in the photo are just an itty-bitty example of some of the colors available.
(I came close to dumping my collection out on the table for a photography session, then realized I’d be spending the rest of the evening trying to get all the beads back into their individual containers.)
What Can You Do With Duo?
I’ll admit, I had absolutely no clue as to what I would actually do with them, once I clutched them in my hands and handed over my credit card (cha-ching!) to the store clerk. So, I got them home and stared at them. Took them out of their tubes and stared some more. Hmmm.
Then I started playing. And with each pattern and idea I tried, it lead to another idea and another and another…
That being the case, I figured that I’d settle on something, make it and then do a video tutorial so everyone could enjoy it. 🙂
Earrings! Bright and fun and funky, all ready for you to make. Naturally, you can make them in any color or color combination you choose, but I used some of the new neon shades, for both the superduo beads, as well as the dagger bead.
So let loose and have fun creating your own earrings. But I warn you, they are like potato chips — once you start, it’s hard to stop, LOL.