Ribbon & Button Beady Angels

I made some homely little angels - some with heart button wings and others with organza ribbon wings - I hope you like them! The instructions are below. These are quick and easy to make and are a nice Christmas project for children (you'll need to do the crimping and gluing with younger children)

I'm going to use mine to decorate special gifts,  but they're also great for a 'table tree' or hung in windows, or even on cards.


Tools
Flatnose or Chain nose Pliers
Scissors or Snippers


Supplies

• Nylon monofilament thread, or tigertail or any fine cord - whatever you prefer
• 4 small crimps
• 3 silver 3mm round beads
• 1 floral cone
• 1 8mm bead
• 2 daisy spacer beads
• Scraps of ribbon for wings or Heart buttons

Method

• Cut approx 20cm thread and thread on 1 crimp, 2 3mm beads and another crimp
• Get the crimps as close as possible to each end of your thread and squash them flat
• Trim any excess thread
• Push 1 3mm bead against each crimp (these are the angel's feet)
• Fold the thread in half - make sure the angel's feet are level, a wonky angel just won't do!
• Thread a 1 crimp, 1 3mm bead and a floral cone over both threads (see pic)

• The crimp and 3mm bead hold the angel's body (the cone!) at the right distance above the feet. Measure around 3cm from the top of the feet, depending on how tall you'd like your angel and then squash the crimp flat
• Push the cone and bead down into position. 
• Thread a daisy spacer, 8mm bead and another daisy spacer.
• Thread on the final crimp and squash flat
• Either tie on a scrap of ribbon and snip the 'wings' into shape, or glue on a heart button
• Your homespun angel is finished!

Other Ideas

• Make Snowmen with a similar method - an 8mm white pearl for the body and a 6mm pearl for the head! These also look great in Crystal AB Czech firepolish, but do make sure your thread is clear or they look a bit odd!
• Fairies are another variation - an acrylic flower makes a fairylike 'skirt' 
• Pretty up the button wings with a bit of glitter
• Stitch your homespun figures to a wide ribbon and drape along the top of a mirror or window.
• Use silver thread for easy extra sparkle
• Loop the figures onto bookmarks for stocking fillers and thankyou gifts.

Hints and Tips

• It's tempting to try and make these from the halo down - don't do it! It's much easier to start with, but then it is impossible to get the 'body' crimp in the right place. Always start with the feet :-)
• If you have too much hanging loop left, thread on a crimp to make the loop the right size, squash it and cut off the excess - no one will know :-D