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Beads can be used to create beautiful, everlasting Christmas ornaments. These snowflakes use a combination of small and large beads: small rocailles (silver-lined transparent beads); long, thin bugle beads; and larger druk beads (smooth, round beads).

Tools and Materials
-20-, 24-, and 30-gauge tinned copper wire
-Round-nosed pliers
-Wire cutters
-Beads (see above)

Beaded Snowflakes How-To
1. Create a snowflake form by crisscrossing three 10-inch lengths of 20-gauge wire so their midpoints meet and the wires extend from the center like equally spaced spokes.

2. Secure the center by wrapping 30-gauge wire around it several times. Alternatively, you can solder the wires together.

3. Transfer four size-5/o rocailles to one arm; wrap one end of a 12-inch length of 24-gauge wire on the arm, as close to the last bead as possible.

4. Thread a large, a small, and another large druk bead onto the 24-guage wire; repeat bead transfer (see step 3) on next arm, and wrap the wire close to last bead.

5. Repeat until an inner perimeter is formed (below, right), then add two 5/o rocailles, a bugle bead, and a large druk bead to each arm.

6. Loop the end of each arm closed with round-nosed pliers.

First Published: December/January 1997/1998