Beaded flower

Create a colorful Flower pattern using seed beads and craft wire.

Courtesy of Bead Studio

BEADED FLOWER
Sculpt this flower from beads & wire. Once made the uses are endless! For wearable art you can create a brooch, a centerpiece for a necklace or on a barrette. For the home, a napkin ring, a candle or a curtain. Let your imagination go!
Materials:

- Four yds 28g craft wire, cut in 1 yd pieces
- Assorted seed beads (11/0, delicas, 3-cut, hex or charlottes)
Choose colors that blend well in a variety of finishes to give texture to the flower.
- Twelve 4mm round or firepolish beads
- One 6mm bead

Step 1 - Slide 3 seed beads onto a piece of 1 yd wire. Thread end of wire back through 2 of the beads, pulling both ends to create a small loop of beads in the center of the wire.

Step 2 – Add 3 more seed beads on one end of the wire and thread the other end of wire through the seed beads in the opposite direction. Pull gently being careful to work out any kinks in the wire as you see them developing.

Step 3 – Continue this process to build the petal. The pattern we used is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2. You can develop your own pattern through experimenting with different combinations.

Step 4 – Add one bead to each of the wires, then start building the next petal, using the pattern in the reverse order. Try using a different color or type of bead for each petal to add interest and texture to the flower.

Step 5 – To end the petal, thread wire back through a few of the beads, twist around once or twice and snip the ends.

Step 6 – Repeat Steps 1 through 5 to create 2 more sets of petals. You will need three set to complete 1 flower.

Step 7 – Cut the last piece of wire into 4 equal pieces (approx. 9" ea).

Step 8 –Thread one of the 4mm beads onto the wire and twist the wire to anchor the bead in the center.

Step 9 – Separate the wires, add a bead to one wire and twist several times. Continue until you have 4 beads on each wire. Repeat until you have 3 pieces finished.

Step 10 – With the one remaining wire slide the 6mm bead onto the wire and fold in half and twist. Take all the wires and thread through the center of the petals. Twist or braid and coil all the wires to anchor.

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