Twisted Crystal Bead Decorations

You may have noticed recently their has been a fashion for bugle beads in home decor. We're seeing them coiled in circles to make placemats and attached to napkins for a touch of extra sparkle. Today I'm going to show you how to make a twinkling Christmas tree decoration using just bugle beads, ribbon, wire, and thread!

You will need:
2mm Bugle beads
2mm thick wire
Thread
Thin 5mm ribbon

Scissors
Wire cutters
Pliers
Beading needle

To begin, cut a length of wire and use your pliers to begin to gently tease it into the shape you wish to make. I am demonstrating on a star, but hearts work beautifully too.

Once you have a shape you are happy with, use the wire cutters to trim off the excess leaving about 1cm behind. Fold the excess wires together to hold the shape in place.

Next, take your beading needle and a long length of thread. Tie several knots in the end of the thread so they clump together, and begin feeding your beads onto the thread. You will need quite a lot!

Tie the end of your thread next to one of the joins in your wire.

And begin to tightly coil the beaded thread around the wire, allowing a little excess thread for the beads to bend around the wire frame.

Once you have coiled around the whole frame, wrap the thread around several times and then tie it on. Cut off the excess.

Loop a ribbon on, and voila! You are finished and ready to hang your twinkling little star on the tree.

These are some hearts I rustled up...

Hamilton