Desire to make them
I first saw these spiral bead ornaments as a decoration at Longwood Gardens. As I took a closer look at them I thought that I could try to make them, too. I had glass seed beads and some jewelry making tools. I enjoy being creative and wanted to give them a try.
Visiting Longwood Gardens
Every year my parents gift my family with a Christmas time visit to Longwood Gardens. We enjoy many aspects of the Gardens at this time of year. Each year there is a different theme or color scheme. This particular year the theme was retro. The colors throughout the Gardens reflected that. Shiny and metallic decorations adorned plants and buildings, such as the spiral bead ornaments.
One stop we make every year is to the Wildlife Tree. There is food and shelter for birds, squirrels, chipmunks and other wildlife. We like to see what birds stop by while we are there. Usually there are Dark-eyed juncos, Northern Cardinals, Tufted titmice, Black-capped chickadee and more. This year we were delighted to see toy brick bird feeders. There were tube feeders and platform feeders.
We have a great time climbing up the treehouses. The plants and displays are always wonderful sights to see. There is a fountain show with music, lights and water. One favorite display every year for my boys is the outdoor train layout. Another favorite for my boys is the children’s garden.
The children’s garden is located inside the conservatory. It is filled with a variety of water play. Jumping water, paint brushes and fountains are at every turn. There is even a water basin with small floating toys inside. Kids can use small nets to scoop up as many ducks, fish and other plastic toys as possible. Of course, we make this one of our first stops in the conservatory. Afterwards, we put dry clothing on our boys, if necessary.
Coming up with a Plan for Spiral Bead Ornaments-Beads
I knew I was going to use glass seed beads (size 11), with at least some on each ornament being translucent. Metallic beads reflect the light and shine all around. Translucent beads let the light shine through them. Choosing colors to put together allowed me to be creative. Of course I wanted to use clear and red, to reflect candy canes. Also, neutral colors caught my eye. Then blues appealed to me, as well.
Coming up with a Plan for Spiral Bead Ornaments-Wire
I had no idea where to start with the wire. So, I went online to see what size wire works with size 11 beads. It was suggested to use 24# wire for this size bead. After discovering that it meant 24 gauge beading wire, I went to the craft store. There, I found just what I was looking for in the jewelry/beading aisle.
Coming up with a Plan for Spiral Bead Ornaments-Putting it all together
Putting these ornaments together seemed simple enough, with minimal supplies needed. First, gather supplies. These include the beads (of course); the wire; tools; something to create the spiral shape and a hook or hanger to dangle it from the tree. To create the spiral shape I used a US size6 knitting needle and a pencil. Whatever you use will determine the tightness of the spiral. Of the tools below, I used the wire cutters (pink-handled tool) and round-nosed pliers (purple-handled tool).
After tools are collected, it is time to begin. First, cut the wire to the desired length. Remember, the finished size of the ornament will be smaller when it is twisted. Using the round-nosed pliers, make a loop at one end of the wire. Then add the beads. After that, wind it into a spiral by twisting it around the knitting needle or pencil. Then, use the round-nosed pliers again to make another loop on the end. Decide which way is up and add the hanger.
How to Make Spiral Bead Ornaments
Instructions on how to created a lovely spiral beaded ornament to add some sparkle and color to the Christmas tree, put in a window as a sun catcher or anywhere else.
Materials
- 24 gauge wire jewelry or bead wire
- 140-160 size 11 glass seed beads
- Pencil, US #6 knitting needle or something else to wrap the wire around
- Hanger or hook
- Tools listed below
Tools
- Wire cutters
- Round-nosed pliers
- Tape measure or ruler
Instructions
- Using the ruler and wire cutters, measure and cut 10 inches of 24 gauge wire.
- With the round-nosed pliers, make a loop around one end of the wire, turning it as if to wind a watch 3 or 4 times.
- Add beads. Be creative with colors, patterns, ombres, translucents, metallics and more.
- Trim the wire if necessary. **Be sure to leave enough room to make another loop and for some ‘give’ for the ornament during twisting.
- As with instruction #2, use the round-nosed pliers to make a loop at the end of the wire. Leave about 1/8 inch between the loop and where the beads end.
- Hold the pencil or knitting needle in your left hand. With your thumb, hold one end (the loop) to the bottom of the pencil.
- Wrap the beaded wire around the pencil.
- When the entire ornament is a spiral, slide it off the pencil and add the hanger to one of the loops.
Notes
On instruction #7, I found it to be easier and more efficient to hold the top of the beaded wire with my right hand at the top. With my left hand I held the pencil and ornament and twisted those together. (Instead of holding the pencil in place).
Your finished project will vary depending on the materials used. For example, if a pencil is used versus a thinner knitting needle, the twist in the ornament will be wider. Also, more twists can make it shorter than less twists.
Let me know how you did and show me what your ornaments look like.
***For storing (when you take the tree down)*** Slip the hangers off the ornaments. I found it convenient to slide the ornaments onto a pencil. This was especially the case for the ones that are twisted around a pencil. That will prevent the ornaments from being squished and misshapen. For me, two ornaments fit on one pencil in tandem. I used a hard pencil case to store them, along with the hangers.
“In the same way, let your good deeds shine for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16, NLT)