The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Tiny Trees”:“Great idea! I have a tree and haven't used it yet. Now I'm toying…” read »
on “Totally Blessed”:“Thanks to all for your comments!! This piece goes to Holly, as she recently painted an…” read »
on “Numinosity goodness”:“Thanks so much all. You inspire me to keep creating.…” read »
- on “Tiny Trees”:
“So cute. What a great idea. They can keep them forever and put on their own…” read »
on “Totally Blessed”:“Green Man is high in my personal pantheon. That piece resonates with me. I would retire…” read »
on “Snowman earrings”:“The roller bead is a great idea!…” read »
on “Numinosity goodness”:“yes the beads are very striking - but i am equally impressed with your design. The…” read »
on “Tiny Trees”:“Cute ! Looks better with ornaments. Count me as kid since I may need to make…” read »
on “Mermaid Eye Earrings”:“These would make super teacher gifts! I would have loved a pair at the beginning…” read »
- on “Snowman earrings”:
“These are darling! I made some many years ago. I found some textured white…” read »
on “Totally Blessed”:“What a gift! You are using the” new stash” well…” read »
on “Expressions of Fall”:“Such beautiful creativity amount all …” read »
- on “Expressions of Fall”:
“Such beautiful creativity amount all …” read »
- on “Expressions of Fall”:
“Such beautiful creativity amount all …” read »
- on “Ice Drop Earrings”:
“This bead is so beautiful. I would also make a star post with a Red and…” read »
- on “Totally Blessed”:
“Both of them are beautiful and your friends will love them.…” read »
on “Tiny Tree Charms”:“Love this idea!…” read »
on “All Heart”:“Thanks Pam. That was the intention of the bracelet….a reminder of love.…” read »
on “All Heart”:“Hi Jen, This bracelet does have a fun jingle when you wear it. How sweet that it…” read »
- on “All Heart”:
“Thanks for the kind words Crystal Canary!…” read »
on “Tiny Tree Charms”:“How cute. I wish I had some.…” read »
on “Some More For My Shop”:“Great bracelets Jane. The one with the elephant charm is my favorite.…” read »
on “More Christmas”:“Thanks you all for your comments!! The pendant in the first necklace is actually Labradorite. And…” read »
on “Tiny Tree Charms”:“What a clever idea! I'm going to borrow your idea for some Christmas gifts!…” read »
- on “Christmas Earrings”:
“Thanks you all for your comments!! These aren't the best photos, I don't think. But...at…” read »
on “Tiny Tree Charms”:“Very clever!…” read »
on “All Heart”:“Love this purely silver design. The differing heart patterns & spiral charms will look super…” read »
- on “Faceted Drop Earrings”:
“I'm intrigued by the shape of the findings.…” read »
on “More Christmas”:“I can't say it any better than anyone else. But, I disagree with Debbie. One can…” read »
- on “Numinosity goodness”:
“This is so cool. I saw it the other day and didn't have time to sign…” read »
on “Christmas Earrings”:“Jane these are all understated and will compliment many outfits. I really like the Labradorite earrings.…” read »
- on “Last Gifts for Debbie”:
“I really like this necklace, and this bracelet is even more Miriam Haskell than the elephant…” read »
- on “Ice Drop Earrings”:
“All right, who bought all the crystal w/ silver crullers?!? Icy cool, These can go with anything.…” read »
- on “Sapphire Cascade Earrings”:
“Ooh that color with gold. Agree, those links really elevate this design.…” read »
- on “Some More For My Shop”:
“Very pretty Jane. I'm also fond of the elephant charm. almost Haskell-like in your color and…” read »
- on “Eye of Shiva Earrings”:
“Shells are so beautiful, this spiral in the snail's door really suits these earrings. Such beautifully…” read »
- on “All Heart”:
“The first piece of jewelry I can remember was a puffy heart locket from my Grandmother.…” read »
- on “Some More For My Shop”:
“Thank you all so much for your comments!! I guess making bracelets is my thing. I…” read »
- on “All Heart”:
“This is a beautiful reminder for family members.…” read »
- on “Ice Drop Earrings”:
“Love the crystal clear clarity of these beads. Simply elegant.…” read »
Bird's Nest Christmas Ornament
About this design:
I thought it would be fun to try and make a bird's nest that is made out of a material that can be manipulated like wire, while adding in elements that a bird might actually add to her nest such as string and twigs. The sparkling crystal brings the glitz that is a must for adorning your Christmas tree.
What you’ll need: (buy products below)
- 1 spool of wire
- 3 rice shaped beads for eggs
- 1 bird pendant
- 5 faceted round crystal beads
- 4 headpins
- 2' of string such as hemp for nest
- 2 1' lengths of hemp for hanging
- 6" ribbon for a bow on the hanger
- handful of twigs from yard
Additional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: To begin the nest, I wrapped a couple small loops and wire wrapped them together - about 1.5" diameter. Once this base is set continue wrapping loops from top to bottom gradually getting larger as the loops come to the top and smaller as they reach the bottom. It works well to weave the loops through each other to keep the shape of the nest. |
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Step 2: Take your bird pendant and create a few wraps through the bottom of the bird leaving several inches at each end to poke through the bottom of the finished nest and wrap back into the nest for security. |
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Step 3: Once your nest is complete (your spool is almost gone), take your end piece, trim off the remaining wire and poke from the bottom up into the middle area of the nest. String one rice shaped bead onto the wire and create several curlycues to keep the bead secure. Now take 8" of wire and fold it in half. Loop this wire over a group of wires at the bottom of the nest then bring the ends up through the middle and repeat, stringing the eggs on each end and creating curlycues. |
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Step 4: Now that your components are all set, take the bird pendant that has the wire attached and poke through the top of the nest, nestling the bird between the "eggs". Twist your wire on the underside of the nest and wrap back into the nest creating additional curlycues to finish off the ends. |
Buy Products from this Design
We only have 1 item to show you on this page!
We only have 1 item to show you on this page!
On Oct 20, 2011 at 2:20 pm #
sunny chick says:So fab!!
On Oct 20, 2011 at 2:54 pm #
Mary - Sweet Chick says:Sweet, sweet, sweet!
On Oct 22, 2011 at 11:46 am #
Lyric Chick aka Bev says:How cute is that. Your designs are always so “out there”. Love the way you think.
On Oct 22, 2011 at 5:46 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Ali, this is a wonderful idea and would make a great gift, too! Very clever!
On Jan 06, 2012 at 12:20 am #
D Geurin says:I love this bird nest especially in the egg white wire. It shows up so much more on the tree. I would like to make some for gifts. Could you tell me where you got the black bird. I absolutely love your creative designs.
On Apr 04, 2012 at 2:23 pm #
DazzleBeads says:I can see doing this with miniature birds and the small pearls, and attaching to Christmas packages.
On Aug 20, 2012 at 12:43 pm #
BeadSpirit says:So adorable! This great design will be Christmas gifts and on my tree this year!
On Jan 05, 2014 at 1:05 am #
Bead Genie says:Love this,can you tell me if these wonderful Lipstick Ranch cut outs,she’d rust? Do they need sealing pls?
On May 15, 2014 at 10:28 pm #
D Clark says:This is adorable, I’ve seen tiny nest with eggs in them. The eggs were seed beads or pearls. I hope we’re all thankful for the talent we have, and each of us have a talent of some kind.
On Nov 06, 2020 at 12:04 am #
Old bitty says:I love this. I am going to make one to hang with my plants. Can’t wait!