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 “Denim Blue Jeans”:“Forgot to mention--that's what's so awesome about this site--it inspires us to try different things &…” read »
- on “Denim Blue Jeans”:
“Nutkitten, Thank you so much! I had a hard time with asymmetrical designs at first,…” read »
on “Denim Blue Jeans”:“Looked thru and all your stuff is gorgeous, especially the bracelets. I love the asymmetrical…” read »
- on “Wrecking Ball Earrings”:
“Interesting interpretation--whatever they represent, I think they're cool. They will have a lot of movement…” read »
- on “Tree Of Life?”:
“It's the first thing I thought when I saw it--go for it!…” read »
on “Flower Ear Wrap”:“All of your creations are so unique. Thanks for sharing them with us.…” read »
- on “It's a beginning...”:
“Fresh starts & new beginnings--something to really think about. What is more perfect than a…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Ditto everyone's comments! Nice use of the porcelain beads with the shard--and I love the…” read »
- on “It's a beginning...”:
“These are beautiful! I love the way you painted the butterflies. Remember - you are still…” read »
on “Frosted Birch Necklace”:“Elaina....I always love to see your designs! You've given me a great idea of what to…” read »
on “It's a beginning...”:“Beautiful work!I love butterflies! …” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Thanks you all!! K...if you could get a rock tumbler, or maybe there is another way…” read »
- on “Re Do For Nancy”:
“Crystal...I've never purchased anything from Spain...but frequently in the U.K. and France..never encountered any customs.…” read »
on “One More Shard”:“Stunning Jane- l keep coming back to look- such beautiful detail ! Love the shard…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Are these shards China dishes? I guess I’m not understanding what they are, but they’re certainly…” read »
on “It's a beginning...”:“I should have noted that these gorgeous brass butterflies (minus the paint) are here at LB.…” read »
on “It's a beginning...”:“Love these butterflies!! I can feel and say that it has been far easier to…” read »
on “Flower Ear Wrap”:“Thanks for modeling it. That gives me a better idea of how it looks. It's pretty…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“I love the shard designs. I actually found a piece of pottery on my walk yesterday…” read »
- on “It's a beginning...”:
“These are lovely. I know just what you mean. Sometimes I can manage to do something…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Now I'm wishing I had a plate from my grandma's blue willow pieces. They make…” read »
- on “It's a beginning...”:
“They are both lovely Lynda. I have always loved your simple , yet always elegant designs.…” read »
- on “Ear Cuff”:
“This one is my favorite of the ones you have shared so far. Why? …” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“What is it, about cobalt blue and white that is so lovely? A beautiful design!…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Here are the other photos... …” read »
- on “Flower Ear Wrap”:
“Cool! This one wraps around quite differently than the others. I bet the pink…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“NK, Thanks so much for posting the picture! What a great effect & extra sparkle…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“Ok when you said modelled, I though you meant how the actual item was modelled or…” read »
on “Desert Rain Earrings”:“love these!…” read »
- on “Flower Ear Wrap”:
“This is very pretty also. Thank you for the picture of it on the ear.…” read »
- on “Girls Need Pearls”:
“Crystal, seriously, get your chocolate and cookies, and whatever you need to provide stress relief today.…” read »
- on “One More Shard”:
“Sweetjane, I found a broken piece of pottery on my walk today. I don't know what…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“My favorite one is the one with the big drop bead, but this is also very…” read »
- on “Ear Cuff”:
“You are inspiring me to try to make some ear cuffs. They would be perfect for…” read »
- on “Frost Green Ear Cuff”:
“Got to agree with Crystal. You can never have too much bling and these are definitely…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“This is a cute one with the butterflies and lighter green beads. I would still…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“I really like the contrast in this one between the brass wire and the green beads.…” read »
- on “Ear Cuff”:
“I really like the simple nature of this ear cuff and the character it has due…” read »
- on “Frost Green Ear Cuff”:
“I see it's been a while since you've posted here in the gallery--welcome back! All…” read »
- on “One More Shard”:
“I think the shard focal has a wonderful presence in the design. I like…” 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
You are viewing all 5 items.
| per foot: $2.90 |
| per foot: $8.70 |
Zola Elements Brass Bar Chain w/ Multi Color Teardrops
BACK IN STOCK!
| per foot: $2.90 |
| per foot: $11.90 |
| per foot: $12.70 |
You are viewing all 5 items.
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