Metal-Bead Silver Snowflake

See a 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.

Soldering

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

1. Cut three 11-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 Silver (LA920S) $10.75 for 6 feet, from D. Blumchen & Co., 866-653-9627 or blumchen.com. Beads: 6 medium diamonds (T10NK), 20 cents each; 6 small diamonds (T69NK), $2 for 12; 6 spheres (A14NK), $3.50 for 12; eighteen 8 mm silver balls, $8 per strand; and eighty-four 4 mm silver balls, $3.50 per strand; from Tojo Shoji, 212-868-7465 or tohoshoji-ny.com.