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 “Taking a Break”:“Fantastic bracelet and earrings! They are perfect colors.…” read »
on “Gilded Autumn Necklace”:“I'm a bit confused. Never did this before. Could I thread the wire through the bead to…” read »
on “Pablo”:“Almost forgot, did you draw "free hand" a copy of the picasso painting you have on…” read »
on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:“Thanks you all! Nancy always sends me such beautiful beads to work with. Plus, I've got…” read »
on “Asymmetry”:“I love it!…” read »
on “Kinda Wacky”:“Jane, it's very eclectic and I love it. I love those connectors! Fun and…” read »
- on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“What a beautiful necklace, Jane. I love the beads you chose- especially the rectangle blue…” read »
on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:“Oh Jane, this is just so pretty. It will appeal to almost anyone especially those who…” read »
- on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“Gorgeous11…” read »
- on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“Oooh! Very pretty! Extremely lovely! I would just add a tiny carnelian bead…” read »
- on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“Ahhh-mazing! This necklace is stunning. The colors and beads are so cohesive. This would…” read »
on “Kinda Wacky”:“Very fun and unusual choices of beads and charms. Love it.…” read »
- on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“So much to see in your bracelet. Love the array of beads and findings. I really…” read »
on “Brass Christmas tree ornaments”:“I love what you did with the Christmas trees. They're beautiful and fun.…” read »
on “Follow the Sun Necklace”:“What a wonderful group of necklaces. Nice work.…” read »
- on “Citrus Blossom Bracelet”:
“Wow. I love your bracelets. The recycled glass flowers are great. And the necklace is adorable.…” read »
on “At The Water’s Edge”:“Linhasita wax cord is the only I use. They have hundreds of colors and sizes. I…” read »
on “At The Water’s Edge”:“Thanks for the tip Robin. I'll also check online for the Linhasita cording. Using…” read »
on “Brass Christmas tree ornaments”:“These look great. Please post what you end up doing with them. I'd love to see…” read »
on “At The Water’s Edge”:“Thanks for that info Robin. I'm going to have to search for that. Never even heard…” read »
on “Brass Christmas tree ornaments”:“Christmas in the Spring. Nice!…” read »
on “Kinda Wacky”:“Glad to see you are feeling better and back to creating your pieces. You've got some…” read »
on “Kinda Wacky”:“Thanks you all...the more I look at it the more I like it. It's unique...which…” read »
- on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Have you tried the 5mm polyester Linhasita wax cord? Try it and see if that…” read »
on “Kinda Wacky”:“Jane, I think the acetate connector works great as a bracelet focal. I've also been…” read »
- on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Such nice comments--Thank you very much! It was encouraging to read all your kind…” read »
on “Follow the Sun Necklace”:“These three play so well together! A great way to incorporate your new African beads…” read »
on “At The Water’s Edge”:“What beachy glamour! Love the touch of pink silk.…” read »
on “Kinda Wacky”:“I wouldn't call this wacky. Personally I think it is creative. I personally would…” read »
on “At The Water’s Edge”:“This just fantastic! Everting works so well together, to create a very beachy bracelet. You know…” read »
- on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Another CC beauty. I agree with Deb-I really like the way the white strand ties everything…” read »
on “At The Water’s Edge”:“WOW!! I totally love love love this Crystal. You know how much I love beach themed…” read »
- on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Wow Crystal. What a work of art this bracelet is. I like the silk. It adds…” read »
- on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“I love everything in your bracelet! The colors are gorgeous for the beach look.…” read »
on “At The Water’s Edge”:“Crystal, I love this bracelet!!!! All of it! The coral silk and the coral…” read »
- on “More Stuff From the Stash”:
“LRC, these are all so pretty- I like the second one with owl-perfect for casual wear-which…” read »
- on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Wowza Crystal-this is gorgeous! I love the sand dollar focal- this bracelet is one of…” read »
on “At The Water’s Edge”:“Sorry about the dark pictures! I was so excited to take my pictures outside in…” read »
Swirling Icicles
About this design:
This is probably one of the easiest winter decorations to make. You will get a lot of sparkle if you use crystal, and since this type of icicle is coiled and pulled, it will gently spin, dancing sparkles everywhere.
These work well as a tree ornament or hanging in a window during the winter months.
What you’ll need: (buy products below)
28"-32" of 18gauge wire, crystals & other sparkling beads or use a fringy chain, round nose pliers, wire cutters
Additional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: Cut your wire at 28-32", then create a loop at one end of your wire. |
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Step 2: Beaded Icicle: Begin stringing your wire with your selected beads. Leave at least 1-1.5" at the end. Make another loop at the end of the wire. Wrap your beaded wire into a spiral, I like to use the cardboard from a paper towel roll. Then make one end more of a tight coil than the other end. You will notice that as you have twisted your wire around, you can no longer see the extra wire you left at the end. |
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Step 3: Fringy Icicle: Cut your chain an inch over what you need. Create a loop at the end of your wire. Begin "sewing" your wire through every other ring of chain. Once you are done with this step, attach the loop you made earlier to the end of chain closest to it. Wrap your sewn wire into a spiral, I like to use the cardboard from a paper towel roll. Make another loop at the end of the wire, attaching the final end of chain. Then make one end more of a tight coil than the other end. Any fringy chain can be used in this style of icicle. I chose the crystal drop chain for the sparkle. |
Buy Products from this Design
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Antique Silver (Plated) Teardrop Chain
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On Nov 01, 2018 at 12:24 pm #
dolllady aka Pam says:Ali, I love the crystal. They would be so sparkly on the tree! Right now I’m using my 4′ tree so I would make them shorter. (My Chihuahua grabs anything down at her level and pulls on it so big tree is out. She is strong for such a little dog. She started toppling the tree last year when she was 4 months old.)
On Nov 02, 2018 at 1:33 pm #
Kathryn R says:LOVE! Ali, I really wanna try this!
On Nov 02, 2018 at 1:39 pm #
Kathryn R says:Pam, Mr. Fluffypants (AKA Boots), our rescue kitty, did that days before his 1st Christmas at our house. Only ours was a 7’ real fir loaded with breakable ornaments!
One of my mother’s antique ornaments was shattered. Hubby immediately took the tree out to the back yard and we spent Christmas with no tree.
On Nov 05, 2018 at 9:13 am #
Moogie says:Ali, as simple a design as this is, your choice of stringing materials really make these gorgeous. I love how it spirals down. Gotta make some for our tree!
On Oct 30, 2021 at 8:26 pm #
Barbaraa c says:Do crystals or fire polish beads have holes big enough to fit 18 gauge wire