(Components list at bottom of page)

by: Dwyn Tomlinson

Sometimes, I just like to noodle around with beads without worrying too much about what I am making. Just playing with the beads. This technique is good for using left over odds and ends of beads too. You can add a pin-back to these to make them into a brooch, decorate a summer hat with them, or maybe use them as decorative elements on a table for a dinner party, or even on a side board or in a guest powder room?

To make the leaf portions, take a piece of relatively fine wire, i.e. 26 gauge, slide a leaf bead to the center, and fold the wire in half, with that bead at the centre. Then twist the bead until you have about a quarter inch of "stem" and the leaf is held securely. Then divide the wire, and slide another leaf on down close to the first one, about an inch out, and twist the leaf, holding the wires secured, until you have another short stem made. Then do the same on the other wire. Continue alternating wires until you have enough leaves.

For the blooms, add your dagger, petal beads, etc., 6 or more to a piece of wire, and then twist until they are tightly held. They will probably want to flop back and forth still, however, so add a drop of clear glue between each petal in order for them to hold their shape.

Make your leafs and flowers separately, then twist the stems together, and overwrap with more wire to secure them and make the main branch stronger and more secure. Make sure to tuck pointy ends in and trim them off so that no one gets stabbed.

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Components Clicking on components links will open a new window so that you don't lose this page.
		74701012-03 Craft Wire - 24ga - Brown (Artistic Wire) (A variety of gauges work well. 24, 26, 28. Choose a nice "stemmy" colour that contrasts with the flowers. I work with about 18-24 inches at a time. )	Price: $ 9.45 per	Sorry, Out of Stock
		s20295 Firepolish - 8x6mm Faceted Donut - Amazon-ious (strand 25) (go through your leftover beads and choose ones that work together in your colour scheme! )	Price: $ 12.00 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
		s35753 Firepolish Beads Central Cut - 9mm - Turquoise Picasso (15)	Price: $ 5.55 per	In Stock
	Qty: 12	s35751 Fringe Beads Dagger Beads - 16mm - Dark Ivory (25) (12 makes a nice flower. Secure with glue to prevent floppiness)	Price: $ 3.55 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
	Qty: 11	s35654 Glass Bead Curved Petal - 7x12mm - Purple Gold Lustre (10) (11 makes a nice flower. Secure the petals with glue after twisting the wire. )	Price: $ 3.60 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
		s35737 Glass Bead Flame Coins - 20mm - Desert Blooms	Price: $ 1.35 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
		s35750 Glass Daggers - 6 x 13 mm Serrated Dagger Beads - Caramelized Ivory (30) - Discontinued - 60% off! (I wired these in using the same technique as making leaves, to simulate budding flowers)	Price: $ 6.00 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
		s35660 Glass Drops - 11x12mm Flying Wedgie Drops - Satin Moss (10) (These make nice leaves, even though they are more of a petal shape)	Price: $ 3.15 per	In Stock
		88827972 Tools - Adhesive - G-S Hypo-tube Cement - (Makes a nice, neat application of glue. )	Price: $ 11.95 per	In Stock