Yellow Man

See a larger version of the finished yellow man.

As you make the figure, refer to our illustration. For the legs, torso, and head, refer to illustration A. When you create the arms, see illustration B. Some of the beads will vary from the illustration; refer to the photo as a guide.

1. Cut two 8-inch lengths of 26-gauge wire. Using round-nose pliers, make a loop at one end of each wire. Make legs: Slide a 2 mm bead onto one wire for toes, securing it against the loop. Add a faceted oval bead for a foot, a 2 mm bead for an ankle, a long bead for lower leg, a 3 mm bead for knee, and a teardrop bead for thigh. Repeat process to make the other leg.

2. Thread wires horizontally through a 6 mm bead, as shown. Bring the wire ends over the top of the bead, and twist to secure. Bend wires to shape feet and legs as desired.

3. Place torso bead over twisted portion of wire. Add a 3 mm bead for the neck; twist the two wires together. Add a 10 mm round bead for the head; cut one wire so that the trimmed end is covered by head. Slide a glass flower bead and a 3 mm bead onto remaining wire end for hat. Using round-nose pliers, make a loop at end of wire. Fit end into top of bead to secure.

4. Make arms: Cut a 6-inch length of 26-gauge wire. Using round-nose pliers, make a loop at one end. Slide a 2 mm bead onto the wire for a hand, an oval for a lower arm, a 2 mm bead for an elbow, and a silver diamond bead for an upper arm.

5. Twist open end of wire tightly around body, just under neck bead; continue in reverse order to make other arm. Trim wire, and make a loop at end to secure beads. Bend wire to shape hands and arms as desired.

6. Slide six 4 mm yellow glass beads onto a length of wire. Wrap wire around waist, twist ends, and trim.

Sources
Wire for body: 26-gauge tinned copper, $2.99 for 15 yards, from Artistic Wire, 630-530-7567 or artisticwire.com. Hat: 12 mm bead in Light Topaz (No. 9403GB), $2.70 for 10, from Ornamental Resources, ornabead.com. Waist ruffle: six 4 mm Czech machine-cut crystal beads in diamond cut in Jonquil, $3.36 for 12, from Margola, 212-695-1115 or margola.com. Upper arms: 2 small silver diamonds (T69NK), $2 for 12; torso: 1 (T10NK), 20 cents each; thighs: 2 small silver teardrops (L713NK), 30 cents each; hips: 6 mm silver ball, $4.80 per strand; hands, toes, ankles, and elbows: eight 2 mm silver balls, $2.50 per strand; top of hat, neck, and knees: four 3 mm silver balls, $2.80 per strand; and head: 10 mm silver bead (1210), from Toho Shoji, 212-868-7465 or tohoshoji-ny.com. Feet: two 4 mm sterling disco beads, $3.60 for 10, and bottoms of legs and arms: four 10 1/2 sterling bright ovals (SS0508), $3.12 for 4, from Fusion Beads, 888-781-3559 or fusionbeads.com.