Easy Beaded Snowflakes

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

kesha1089 — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 18:00:02 GMT

oops maybe i should of bought bigger beads these ones don't fit into my wire

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

kesha1089 — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:56:43 GMT

wow i never had so much fun making some thing like this in my life ever i absoulutly loved it

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

CammiL — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:45:02 GMT

Oh thank you so much!

That helps!

Thank you! =]

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

Michelle Mach — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:31:30 GMT

Hi Cammi,

If you buy the already-made snowflake form like we used, you don't need to worry about the center. If you're making your own with wire, I've heard that some folks solder the pieces together. Hope that helps!

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

CammiL — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 10:21:51 GMT

ok I'm totally lost on how to do this one. How do you make the center stick together?! Superglue or what?
I just can't figure it out at all... =[ somebody help?

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

VivianC@7 — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:19:12 GMT

Now, I have a picture. When I first downloaded the e-mail, it didn't come up.

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

VivianC@7 — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:17:59 GMT

There were no pictures of the "Easy Beaded Snowflakes!" Am I missing something?
Vivian Caldwell

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

SJBeader — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:58:47 GMT

I've been doing these snowflakes for two or three years now, mostly with kids.
I would add these two tips:
1. String on a small bead, like a big-hole 2mm bead, first on each arm of the snowflake. Bigger beads don't snug up next two each other as well because they bump against each other. Inexpensive metal beads found at craft stores are a good pick for this step.
2. If you plan to turn the ends of the wire, you do need a firm but gentle hand. I used the same technique for turning loops for memory wire, but then a lot of people have trouble with turning loops on memory wire. Also, It's a good idea to leave about an inch of wire on the end to do the loops. People who don't leave enough wire for turning are more likely to break the wire or the beads. Practice makes perfect!

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

MaryF@79 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:11:16 GMT

I used those clear rubber earring nuts to hold the beads in place until I was ready to finish the ends. You can glue those on but for my taste I would paint them. Or you can use the small metal earing nuts that have the rubber inside and glue those on. I used memory wire end beads putting them on 5 of the spokes then looping the 6th to put the hanger on. I too put flat back crystals on several of them. That way I didn't have to start with tiny beads due to the spacing of the spokes. Frustrating issue with the Bead Smith forms is that they weren't centered when soldered which would make the spokes uneven. Drove me crazy. For next year I'm planning to make my own using piano wire and a solder wand so I can make sure they are centered.

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

Kristin@41 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:26:11 GMT

When I make beaded snowflake ornaments, I finish the ends with a clear earwire safety sleeve (the little ribbed, rubbery kind). I only bend the wire on the end I'll use to hang the ornament, reducing the chance of breakage.

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

SaraJ — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:47:08 GMT

Ok, you aren't going to tease us with the fact that you made more, and then not show us, are you?

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow . . . .

I imagine if you guys made more in the office and decorated the office tree with them, y'all might have to wear sunglasses when the tree lights are switched on, hee!

I do have some qualms about beaded decor items, but Christmas ornaments are one aspect I feel a bit more to my taste. I do wonder if one could wire two of the forms together, if you weren't using huge beads, for a more . . . armed? crystallized? dramatic, sort of, snowflake? If I did that, I'd definitely keep the variation of color, size, shape, faceting or no, texture, finish, pattern arrangement, etc. of the beads to a simpler (but elegant!) arrangement.

So many beautiful flakes you have there, in your office.

Oops, that doesn't sound quite right, does it? Hee hee!

I think if I made one with one form it'd be anywhere from 2/3 the lushness of Kat's, down to the lushness of Sandi's. I can also see a tree decorated all in Shelly's, perhaps in various sizes. Maybe even in both silver and gold!

So many nice, individual snowflakes!

re: Easy Beaded Snowflakes

gotrice — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:00:53 GMT

Thank you so much for the posting on this. I definitely had a brain blip as I could not get a handle on working these out. So these wires have sitting for awhile. Much appreciated --
gotbeader!