Tuesday 27 August 2013

How to make a simple crystal flower with wire and beads - a Jewellery making tutorial by Angela Smith

It has been a long time since I posted a 'how to....'
and these flowers are so easy to make and versatile, they can be used in tiaras,, hair decorations, earrings, and necklaces, and can be adapted to make more elaborate and ornate flowers if you wish.
So here goes - enjoy making....

Materials I used to make these:
10 inches of wire, must be able to pass through the crystals 3 times I have used a 0.4mm silver plate wire,
6 6mm Swarovski crystals bicones
12 clear seed beads

1 pr of snipe nosed pliers
1 pr of wire cutters



Instructions.
thread one crystal and one seed bead onto wire, take beads to approx 1 1/2 inches away from end of wire.

thread the long end of wire  ( your working end) back through the crystal bead and using the snipe nosed pliers gently pull the wire tight



thread on one seed bead, one crystal and another seed bead.



Again thread the wire through the crystal bead only and pull through gently but firmly, making sure that  all the beads remain tight close to each other.




repeat this until all six crystals have been used - making sure you keep the beads close together and wire tight.




You will now have two short tails of wire left, thread your last remaining seed bead onto your working end and then thread the working end back through the first crystal and seed bead pull tight,



 there are now three wires inside the crystal which should be quite snug. using your wire cutters cut what is left of your working end as close to the top seed bead as you can get, then with the back of your pliers gently push down on any wire that may  be sticking out still to help smooth it down .



Following the direction the 1 1/2 inch tail is pointing,  thread through the next seed bead, crystal and seed bead so it comes out at the top of petal, like your previous end pull gently but firmly with your snipe nosed pliers and then cut down as close as you can to the bead with wire cutters, then smooth out with back of pliers.


your flower is complete



handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

2 comments:

  1. These are so sweet. The would make adorable snowflakes too.

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    Replies
    1. Yes I agree they would and do sometimes use them as snowflakes too!

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