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 “More Vintage Czech Beads”:“Thanks you all!! Yes, Nancy, that was your pendant. I had it for awhile…” read »
on “More Vintage Czech Beads”:“Jane has cleverly presented a super colorful piece. I had that very same pendant and perhaps…” read »
on “Low Tide Earrings”:“Unfortunately, these do not come in gold.…” read »
on “Heishi Hoops”:“really cute! Love the heishi!…” read »
- on “Low Tide Earrings”:
“Do these come in gold…” read »
on “More Vintage Czech Beads”:“Nice piece Jane. I enjoy all the colorful accents, but especially how you used the…” read »
on “Interlocked Rings Earrings”:“Rings are in! Nice way to brush up on our skills or learn to do…” read »
- on “Fern Hoop Earrings”:
“Absolutely Awesome! The description says the links are plated, so I'm a bit confused. …” read »
- on “Shell Cove Earrings”:
“Love the combo of the Opal acetate (which looks like MOP), the shell links, and coconut--great…” read »
on “Heishi Hoops”:“My favorite style--the hoop ear wires are a blast to create with!…” read »
- on “Tropical Monstera Earrings”:
“Beautiful way to frame the Abalone acetate leaves! The fancy ear posts make this extra…” read »
on “Tropical Monstera Earrings”:“Thanks Pam!…” read »
on “Shell Cove Earrings”:“Another delightful pair of earrings! I must amend the fact that I love all 5…” read »
on “Heishi Hoops”:“Another fantastic earring! To be honest I love all 4 pairs.…” read »
- on “Tropical Monstera Earrings”:
“These are my favorite earrings!…” read »
- on “Sunburst Chandelier Earrings”:
“Thank you!…” read »
- on “More Vintage Czech Beads”:
“This is a beautiful eclectic necklace and earrings! I love it!…” read »
on “A Few More”:“That blue one has great appeal! Agree about the hula.…” read »
on “The hills are alive🎼”:“Well most of my comment didn’t post. …” read »
- on “The hills are alive🎼”:
“LRC, actually 3 hairs…” read »
on “A Few More”:“Interesting collection with great components. I especially like the blue pendant. It looks like…” read »
on “The hills are alive🎼”:“Wonderful color and an absolutely beautiful design! What size brush did you use... one with…” read »
- on “New and Old Stuff”:
“Love those vintage beads. They look right at home in this bright and cheerful design.…” read »
on “Green dream”:“Wow! I have to agree with all of the above. This is a fabulous…” read »
on “Second piece from Nancy”:“Wow! I love the design and the beads are lovely.very organic…” read »
on “Green dream”:“Thanks, everyone, for your kind words.…” read »
on “Green dream”:“I agree with what everyone else has said. I have tried chain maille on a…” read »
on “Green dream”:“Exquisite! The chainmaille is really wonderful and the green seed beads really add charm to it.…” read »
- on “Green dream”:
“Great piece!! I also admire anyone that can accomplish chainmaille work like you have. My hands…” read »
on “Green dream”:“This is beautiful chainmaille work. My arthritic fingers salute you! The chain pattern with the green…” read »
- on “Green dream”:
“Beautiful work! I love how the little seeds flair out on the sides creating the…” read »
on “New and Old Stuff”:“Thanks you all for your comments!! Yes, Crystal, those are the marigold wood beads. I like…” read »
on “Sunburst Chandelier Earrings”:“These earrings are stunning. The seaglass bicones light up next to the capiz shell.…” read »
- on “A Few More”:
“I like all of these designs, especially what you did with the gold focal piece.…” read »
on “New and Old Stuff”:“I do like those vintage end of day beads. This version really compliments them.…” read »
- on “The hills are alive🎼”:
“These earrings are beautifully done. The alcohol inks give your detailed mini masterpieces a luminous quality.…” read »
- on “Beach Goddess Stacked Bracelets”:
“Awesome degine..https://erijewelry.com/…” read »
- on “New and Old Stuff”:
“The vintage Czech beads have much more impact lined up--they are so colorful--hope you got bunches…” read »
on “African sunset”:“I'm diggin' the tribal vibe! Love the brass element.…” read »
- on “A Few More”:
“Nice pieces Jane. I like how you highlighted the woven focal with the drop extension.…” 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!