Autumn Flower Girls.. & a JellyRoll Bracelet

Hi Beady Peeps!

The bead barn overfloweth with sparkly things this week, so if you're in need of Autumnal Inspiration, have a look at the new things we found here

Our new Official Packing Goddess (Hannah)  has set to work, which left lucky old me with some time to make some pretties this week.

First up is a project for you. It's a pretty hairband for flower girl, or even as the finishing touch to a party outfit. It's quick to make, very comfy to wear (this is very important when you are trying to persuade a small person to wear a beaded hair band!) and I think it looks great! I've called it Autumn Flower Girls because I designed it with my friend's wedding in mind.

If you've not tried wiring beads before, this is a perfect first project to try. Here goes!

Tools and Supplies:

• Cutters
• Chain nose pliers
• 2 loops of necklace memory wire (£1.99 for 20 loops)
• 1 spool of 24 gauge silver plated craft wire (£3.25) n.b. if you already have wire, use that, 24, 26 or 28 gauge work fine
• 15x 10mm lucite trumpet flowers (£1.25 for 60)
• 12x 6mm Acrylic Bicone Mix (49p for 150)
• 15x 2mm tiny silver spacers (99p for 500) - or use seed beads from your stash.

Method:

• Cut 2 loops of memory wire and then trim them so there is a 5cm gap in the circle
• Cut 65cm of craft wire and fold in half to locate the centre
• Place one loop of memory wire on top of the other and line up the ends roughly (they're trimmed later, so you don't need to be exact
• Ensure that the memory wire loops are on top of each other and not twisted, or resting inside each other *very important!* as this gives the whole piece its structure
• Fold the middle of the craft wire over the middle of the memory wire base and wrap around firmly 4 or 5 times.
• Working to the right, wrap the craft wire around the memory wire loops firmly to hold them together. Aim for tight neat wraps, about 5mm apart. Finish 2cm from the cut end of the memory wire loops.
• Repeat, working to the left.
• Now cut *ONE* of the memory wire ends back by 1cm. Using chain nose pliers, fold the long end back so that it touches the cut surface. Squeeze to flatten and neaten
• Wrap the craft wire over the join and to about 5mm of the end. Wrap tightly and closely. Snip off the remainder and squeeze flat with chain nose pliers.
• Repeat with the other end.
• Your base is now complete!
• Cut another 65cm of wire and fold in half to find the middle
• Again, find the middle of the base, and wrap the middle of the craft wire round - you should have two 'ends' - one for each side of the design.
• Start with a 3 flower cluster: Thread on one lucite trumpet bead, one 2mm spacer and then pass the wire back through the trumpet (see pic)

• Hold the trumpet flower and spacer close to the base and pull the wire through tightly.
• Wrap the wire round the base once
• Repeat for 2 more flowers
• Wrap the craft wire just underneath all 3 flowers together and then use your fingers to arrange the 'bunch' - keep the wire quite tight.
• Wrap the craft wire once round the base
• Thread a 6mm bicone and hold it tight against the base. Check the position is how you want it (I suggest aim for parallel with the base) and then wrap the craft wire back around the base to hold the bicone.
• Repeat with a second bicone
• Repeat the pattern twice more so that you have the centre flower 'bunch' then 2 bunches on one side with 3 sets of 2 bicones - finish with 2 bicones
• Here's a closer look at the pattern:

•  Repeat for the other side
• Once complete, continue to wind the craft wire around the base and trim off - give it a good squeeze to flatten the wire and hold tight

The second piece I made, is really simple, but looks fab! - I've called it my JellyRoll Bracelet:



If you don't want to bother with a toggle clasp, this would also be great on Elasticow - because there are a lot of beads, please double it up though, and secure your square knot with a dot of nail varnish.


I made it by threading 8mm Jolie Vache pearls in mercury alternating some lovely rhinestone rondelles from a mix pack and finished with a triangle clasp. I used Berkley fireline to thread, but tigertail would be fine too - whatever you prefer!


Have a lovely weekend, and I'd love to see your versions of the Flower Girl project, so don't be shy!


Best wishes
Georgie