Designed by Michael G. LaFosse
This flat bead has a more complex look than most of the other beads in this book, even though it is just as quick to fold. It is a good bead to use in concert with related designs, such as the Arrowhead Bead. Use paper that is colored differently on each side for the two-color variation explained at the end of the Trident Bead video instruction. Notice how different looks are possible with subtle shaping.
1. Begin with the major color side facing up. Valley-fold in half, edge to edge both ways, unfolding after each. Turn over and rotate 45 degrees.
2. Valley-fold in half diagonally, corner to corner both ways, unfolding after each.
3. Use the mountain and valley creases to collapse the form into a four-point star. Flatten the model into a triangle with two flaps on the left and the right.
4. Pre-crease by valley-folding the long edge of the top right flap to the middle of the paper. Unfold.
5. Open the flap and flatten it into a kite-shape, centered on the model.
6. Turn over, left to right.
7. (A) Valley-fold the bottom square corner into the model. (B) Valley-fold the long edge of the top right flap to the middle. Unfold. (C) Valley-fold the left flap up at an outward angle. Look ahead at the next step to see the resulting shape.
8. Move the top right flap to the left.
9. (A) Valley-fold the right flap up at an outward angle to match the similar flap of the left. (B) Open the top left flap and flatten into a kite-shape.
10. Turn over, left to right.
11. (A) You may install an eye pin through the top corner. Or (B) Trap beading string, or a wire rod placeholder for later stringing, at the flap end of the model. In either case, apply paste to the bottom flap and tuck it into the bottom pocket, locking the bead.
12. (A) The completed Trident Bead with eye pin. (B) The completed Trident Bead on string.
Color Change Variation
1. Fold a Trident Bead up to step 10, without turning the model over. Move the left and right side pointed flaps down. Valley-fold the right half of the kite-shape to the left.
2. (A) Outside-reverse fold the right side flap, using the creases as a guide. Return the kite flap to the right. (B) Repeat on the left. (C) Turn over, left to right.
3. Paste and tuck the bottom corner flap into the model to lock it.
4. The completed Trident Bead with color change. (A) and (B) show different mounting options.