Metal-Bead Gold Snowflake with Interior Detail

See larger version of the finished snowflake.

1. To create your snowflake form, follow the soldering instructions (how-to follows).

2. Slide beads onto the wire form in the desired sequence. Anchor the beads by twisting the wire ends into a loop with chain-nose pliers.

3. Cover the center of the snowflake with lametta tinsel, weaving it over and under spokes.

4. Cut one 30-inch length of 24-gauge wire. Using photo and illustration as a guide, attach wire to 1 spoke of the snowflake, wrapping it between two beads on the spoke. Slide beads onto the wire in desired sequence. Using round-nose pliers, loop the wire to secure, then feed it back through the last bead, twisting wire at angle so it points to the adjacent spoke. Slide on more beads in reverse order, then attach the wire to the adjacent spoke. Repeat process, making your way around center of snowflake. Trim excess.

Soldering
When soldering, use a wooden plank as a work surface. It will burn during the process.

1. Cut three 20-inch lengths of music wire. When creating the snowflake form, you may want to first draw a guide on plank. Place the first wire vertically in the center and then the other two wires at 60-degree increments. Tape each wire end to plank at least 3 inches from center of form.

2. After wires are secured, apply a small amount of rosin flux to the center (this will help the solder adhere to the wires). Place solder wire at the joining point, and apply soldering iron to wire (see illustration). Solder will melt. After it has cooled (a few seconds), check to see if joint is secure. It may be necessary to apply solder wire and iron between music wires as well. Let cool about 1 minute, and remove.

Sources
For Soldering
K&S music wire, .039-inch-by-36-inch (LXWU93), $8.99 for 20; perfect lead-free solder (LXWW15), $1.49; Hobbico 60-watt soldering iron (LXPR36), $5.99; and Trinity rosin flux (LXKD40), $4.79; from Tower Hobbies, 800-637-6050 or towerhobbies.com.

For Snowflake
Wide lametta tinsel wired roping in Gold (LA920G), $10.75 for 6 1/2 feet, from D. Blumchen & Co., 866-653-9627 or blumchen.com. 24-gauge tinned copper wire (TC), $2.99 for 10 yards, from Artistic Wire, 630-530-7567 or artisticwire.com. Beads: 36 small gold oval pillows (M813G), $3 for 12; 12 large gold oval pillows (M1218G), $4 for 12; 6 large gold ovals (YSR1.6-23), $8.50 for 12; 12 large gold pillows (M1), $6.50 for 12; 30 small silver pillows (MS085NK), $2 for 12; 6 small silver-lined spheres (No. 055), $1.50 for 12; 4 mm silver balls (126), $3.50 per strand; and twenty-four 8 mm silver balls, $8 per strand; from Toho Shoji, 212-868-7465 or tohoshoji-ny.com.