Tools and Materials
Bead stringer
Wire clippers
2 pair chain-nose pliers
Craft glue
Fabric glue
Seed beads (sizes 6/0 to E)
Spool of 24-gauge wire
3 small feathers
Floral tape in complementary color
Small scrap of leather, cut into 1/2-inch circle
Jump ring
Necklace chain
Wire cutters
Beaded Flower Necklace How-To
Make the Flower
1. Fill the spinner bowl of the bead stringer 3/4 of the way to the top with seed beads.
2. Pull out an arm's length of 24-gauge wire from the spool.
3. Create a hook shape at the end of the wire by bending it around the metal center of the bead stringer.
4. Rotate the spinner while dipping the wire hook into the bowl to send the seed beads up the wire. Continue until you have strung about 1 yard of seed beads.
5. Twist the cut end of the wire to "knot" it.
6. Push beads toward the spool, leaving 4 inches of wire between the last bead strung and the knot.
7. Starting with the bead closest to the knot, take a length of beads twice the height of the desired petal; make a loop and twist twice at base. Repeat along the length of the beads, making petals as close together as possible. Sixteen to 20 loops will make a flower with about a 2-inch diameter.
8. Make 3 small petals at the end, which will act as connector loops between the flower and the necklace. Clip wire off spool 4 inches from the last petal.
9. Starting with the end with the large petals, coil petals around each other and twist together ends to create the flower's stem. (The metal wire is pliable enough to break if it is overworked, so don't over-twist).
10. Cut a 10-inch length of wire from the spool and string the center focal bead onto it.
11. Bend this wire into a U shape, with the focal bead at the bottom of the U, and twist the ends of the wire together. Incorporate these twisted ends into the flower's stem.
12. Manipulate petals around center bead to create a flower shape.
Add the Feathers
1. Peel fluffy down from feathers to expose about 1/2 inch of shaft.
2. Cluster together three feathers and dab a bit of glue to shafts to hold them together.
3. Wrap feather stems to flower stem with floral tape. Trim the entire stem to 1/2 inch.
4. Using chain-nose pliers, fold the stem in half, tucking the stem within the flower so it is as hidden as possible.
5. Use fabric glue to secure a 1/2-inch circle of leather or felt over the folded stem.
Add Flower to Necklace
1. Decide which direction you want flower and feathers to hang. Direct two small petals up or out according to the desired direction of the flower.
2. Bend a jump ring open using 2 chain-nose pliers (one held in each hand).
3. Thread open jump ring through one small petal and the end loop of the chain.
4. Use 2 chain-nose pliers to close the jump ring.
Resources
All supplies and completed necklaces are available at bocagenewyork.com. Special thanks to thebeadery.com for giving our studio audience a bead stringer.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to designer and artist Stephanie Bodine, who runs the online store Bocage, for showing us this beautiful craft.
If she love nature. She will love growing a
TickleMe Plant www.ticklemeplant.com
sweetnorthernbelle.etsy.com
click on "request custom item" on the right and I will make a custom beaded flower necklace for you!
Original beadspinner available at www.beadspinner.com
Really like the necklace idea.
You could approximate this as an entirely recycled craft by hitting your local thrift store (or raiding your granny's jewelry box!) Snag a big beaded flower pin and just clip it onto your length of chain, or wire it around some chunky retro bead strands. I like the idea of placing the focal point up near the shoulder and securing it with a pin back onto your clothes, to keep the pin in place and the look fresh!-Jenny at CraftTestDummies.com
It looks lovely with the flower sitting half way up one side of the necklace but, how to you prevent it from following gravity and hanging gracelessly at the bottom of the sting of beads? You might want to add a brooch pin to keep it in place.
Where are the pictures? It is so much easier to visualize!
Am a multi-craft lover. I, too, need pictures to understand directions of beading. Step by step pictures would be fantastic, especially for the amateur crafters. Keep the crafts coming.
you can see exactly how to do this project on www.youtube.com I just watched it yesterday
I agree with the comment and have added the www.firemountaingems.com site to my favourites. Also when I USED to watch
I love bead work but have always been put off by having to string beads individually - I never knew such a thing as a bead stringer existed! I have now purchased an inexpensive plastic version from www.e-beads.co.uk just to try out. I also found a great video at www.firemountaingems.com which shows you how to use the machine - it gives better close-ups than Martha's video (sorry Martha!).
Love the craft a day but it's just not living up to expectation. Pictures are necessary with beading and sewing.
i really like thebeadery website! it's great for somebody who is just getting into beading!
Bueno!
I didn't see the show so was glad to see this on line. Loved Martha and Stephanie's enthusiasm and hope to see them do more projects like this.
Isn't this the most fun (not to mention beautiful) process? And how great is Stephanie - so talented and enthusiastic. Even found the website - lots more fantastic opportunities for gorgeous and hard-to-find materials. Can't wait to go shopping!!!
We purchase our bead spinners / bead stringers at: www.beadspinner.net
We use them for jewelry and accessory production purposes.
We also do demos and sell the bead spinners at the craft fairs and shows.
The live demos are always a cr5owd pleaser and attract attention to our booth!
How big is a Size E bead? I am not a beader, but would give the bead-stringing tool a try if I understood the sizes of bead it would string. Where can I find out about bead sizes$ Thanks. Jill
FOund it!!! :-D
thanks for the instructions but her website was mentioned but can't find it. where/what is it - ??? thanks!! Sarah Kressaty
Where can I find a photo of the necklace? I have everything in my stash to make this necklace and it would be a big help to see the finished project.