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 “Multi Strand Turquoise Necklace”:“A one of a kind work of art!!…” read »
- on “Multi Strand Turquoise Necklace”:
“Very nice design; especially the mahoganny beads!…” read »
- on “Snowman earrings”:
“Love these snowmen. Wish I had thought about the wire for arms…” read »
on “Some Holiday Bling”:“You more than succeeded your goal! It is a real stunning eye catcher.…” read »
on “Multi Strand Turquoise Necklace”:“What a gorgeous beauty! It looks like something to be handed down for generations.…” read »
on “Seventeen More Days”:“Thanks you all for your comments!! I did fall in love with the ladybug!! There were…” read »
on “Mermaid Eye Earrings”:“I have the beadsmith looper, I have the 1.5 and the 3 mm loopers. they don't…” read »
on “Seventeen More Days”:“Such pretty bold colors. Love that bug charm.…” read »
- on “Multi Strand Turquoise Necklace”:
“Absolutely gorgeous. The colors are beautiful.…” read »
on “Mermaid Eye Earrings”:“Which brand of one step Looper do you use? Are you happy with it? …” read »
on “Seventeen More Days”:“Love the bright cheery colors especially in the winter. Your designs are always full if such…” read »
on “Tiny Trees”:“Neat idea. That's a great use of a bead soup. Might work with rhinestones and…” read »
on “Totally Blessed”:“Lucky ladies to have such a creative friend. That green man pendant is fabulous.…” read »
- on “Seventeen More Days”:
“Hope you get those sales you want. You certainly deserve them. You have style!…” read »
- on “Seventeen More Days”:
“Two beautiful bracelets! However, the second one caught my eye and the at my heart.…” read »
- on “Woven Pinch Bead Earrings”:
“Looks doable. Saved to my favs. Thanks!…” read »
on “Totally Blessed”:“This is a beautiful piece Jane. Your bead choices compliment the leaf charms and the green…” read »
on “Mermaid Eye Earrings”:“I like this way to connect. They look swingy.…” read »
- on “Tiny Trees”:
“This is a great technique. It really looks like a decorated tree.…” read »
- on “Woven Pinch Bead Earrings”:
“These are cute. They remind me of quilted ornaments. I think I could actually do…” read »
on “Expressions of Fall”:“Thanks Andrea, Pam and Cuevas, I appreciate your kindness.…” read »
on “Woven Pinch Bead Earrings”:“Ooh, Pam, you're right! Andrea, these earrings are gorgeous, and the instructions are very clear.…” read »
- on “Woven Pinch Bead Earrings”:
“These earrings are gorgeous! The beads would also make a super matching bracelet.…” read »
- on “Tiny Trees”:
“I love this idea. I will definitely try this! Merry Christmas!…” read »
- 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 »
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:
|
Step 1: Cut your wire at 28-32", then create a loop at one end of your wire. |
|
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. |
|
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 2 items.
Zola Elements Brass Bar Chain w/ Multi Color Teardrops
BACK IN STOCK!
You are viewing all 2 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