Easy Beaded Wire Ornaments — Project Sheet #68-002-12

Beaded Candy Cane | Simple Beaded Stars

Beaded Wire Candy Cane Project

Suggested Parts and Tools:
    #23-264     "E" Beads- assorted colors Approx. 260
    #47-048     Gold Plated Wire, 20 gauge 32"
    #65-200     Round Nose Pliers
    #65-500     Wire Cutters

Instructions:

A. Cut 4 pieces of wire, each 8" long.

B. Using the Rd. Nose Pliers, make a loop on one end of all 4 wires. Loop should be about 3mm round.

Using the Rd. Nose Pliers... (image courtesy of Rings & Things)

C. String the beads.
This 4-strand cane will be made with 3 strands of white or opal colored beads and 1 strand of Red or Translucent Ruby colored beads.
  1. String the beads on the wire. Leave approx. 13mm of wire, or enough space for 1 more bead, and another loop at the end.

    String the beads on the wire (image courtesy of Rings & Things)

  2. Make the loop on the remaining wire ends. Beads should move slightly from side to side between these loops.

Make the loop on the remaining wire ends (image courtesy of Rings & Things)

D. Shaping Cane.

Holding the 4 finished ends together... (image courtesy of Rings & Things)

  1. Holding the 4 finished ends together at one end, start twisting them together. Try to keep them even and smooth looking.
  2. Once the cane is twisted snugly, gently bend the top into the "Hook" part. Be sure to keep the cane twisted as the hook is formed.

Once the cane is twisted snugly... (image courtesy of Rings & Things)

E. After bending and twisting, some ends may be uneven. To fix this, open loops on the longer wires and adjust the amount of beads. Trim excess wire and re-loop the end.

Beaded Wire Star Project

Suggested Parts and Tools:
    #23-264     "E" Beads- Assorted Colors
    #47-048     20 gauge Plated Wire
    #65-200     Round Nose Pliers
    #65-500     Cutters

Instructions:

A. Cut wire approx. 13" long.

B. Using round nose pliers, make a loop at one end. Loop should be about 3mm round.

Using round nose pliers, make a loop... (image courtesy of Rings & Things)

C. String Beads.
  1. String 7 beads and push snug towards the loop.
  2. Bend wire sharply out, at about a 120 degree angle.

    Bend wire sharply out... (image courtesy of Rings & Things)

  3. Continue stringing and bending the wire until there are 6 total points done, each with 7 beads.
D. Make the remaining loop and trim any excess wire.

Make the remaining loop... (image courtesy of Rings & Things)

E. Hang the 2 loops from a hook, string, or use an earwire!

Hang the 2 loops from a hook... (image courtesy of Rings & Things)

F. After the star is connected together, adjust the points and re-position as needed.

Other Possiblities:

  • Make other sizes of stars with longer and shorter wire.
  • Make 5-pointed stars.
  • Vary the lengths of some of the points, by varying the numbers of beads.
  • Use 25mm Twisted Bugle Beads on a 5 pointed star.
    Very pretty - but be very careful when bending wire; these beads can chip easily.
    Try bending wire a little ways away from the bead instead of up close to it.
  • Add a piece of ribbon for a bow.

The finished product: Easy beaded wire ornaments (another free jewelry project from Rings & Things)



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