Free Instructions: Christmas Mini Crystal Beaded Wreath

How cute is our mini crystal wreath? Follow our free step by step instructions and learn how to make your own little sparkly wreath, add a loop of beads to make it into a little Christmas tree decoration, make two and make them into earrings, add a jump ring and make it into a pendant, or make it as a little keepsake, or a little Christmas gift for someone special - because handmade is best! Our free project uses the right angle weave bead weaving technique.

Materials Needed:

7 x 6mm Emerald Crystal Bicone Beads ( CPB650730-12 )

7 x 5mm Emerald Crystal Bicone Beads ( CPB550730-24 )

7 x 3mm Emerald Crystal Bicone Beads ( CPB350730-20 )

5g Size 11/0 Dark Red Seed Beads ( S1143 )

5g Size 8/0 Dark Red Seed Beads ( S843 )

5g Size 11/0 Gold Silver Lined Seed Beads ( S1132 )

A reed of green beading thread ( any of our beading threads will be suitable for this project) 

Tools Required

A size 13 beading needle ( ND13 )

A sharp pair of scissors ( SCIMX )

A beading mat - not essential but very handy! ( BMT2 )

Instructions

Legend

A = 6mm crystal bicone,

B= 5mm crystal bicone

C= size 11/0 dark red seed bead,

D = 3mm crystal bicone

E= size 8/0 seed beads

F= gold silver lined seed beads

Tension Tip : In steps 2 - 11, you do not need to work to a tight tension, as you will need space in between these beads to weave in additional beads in later steps.

1. Thread your needle onto a comfortable length of stretched beading thread ( we use approx 70cm ). Thread 1C, 1A, 1C, 1B, 1C, 1A, leave a tail of 20cm ( photo 1 )

2. Loop your needle around to the beginning and pass through all the beads again, in the order you picked them up - to create a little circle  ( photo 2 )

3.  Pick up 1C, 1A, 1C, 1B, 1C, loop up, around and back down the A you just exited from in the previous step ( photo 3 )

4. Pass through the first C your picked up in the previous step, and up through the 1A you picked up in the previous step ( photo 4 )

5. Pick up 1C, 1B, 1C, 1A, 1C loop around and pass through the 1A you picked up in step 3 ( photo 5 )

6. Pass through the 1C, 1B, 1C, 1A you picked up in the previous step ( photo 6 )

7. Repeat step 3 ( photo 7 )

8. Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 ( photo 8 ) 

9. Repeat steps 3 and 4 ( photo 9 )

10. Next we need to join up the beads to make a circle. Pick up 1C, 1B, 1C, adjust your beads work to its creating a little circle, pass through the end 1A, and 1C ( photo 10 )

11. Pick up 1C and pass up through the last 1A you passed through in step 9 ( photo 11 )

12. Following the existing thread path on the outside of your circle, pass through the next 1C, 1B, 1C ( photo 12 )

13. Pick up 1D, following the existing thread path on the outside of your circle, pass through the next 1C, 1B, 1C ( photo 13 )

14. Repeat the previous step another 6 times around the outside of your circle ( photo 14 )

15. Weave down through a 1A, and pass through 1C so you are in the middle of your circle ( photo 15 )

16. Pick up 1E, and pass through the next 1C in the little inside circle of Cs ( photo 16 )

17. Repeat the previous step 6 times ( photo 17 )

18. Weave around the thread path of the beads you added in steps 1 - 11, this is when you can work to a tighter tension to strengthen your bead work, and give it structure, as it may be a little loose ( photo 18 ) Pass around the thread path of the outside of the circle too if necessary 

19. Weave in to the inside circle of dark red seed beads, and exit on an E, pick up 1 E and pass back through the E you just exited from. pass through both beads several times to make secure, this is where your beaded bow will be attached, so you want it to be secure, Make sure you finish this step by exiting the E you just picked up( Photo 19a & 19b )

20. Pick up 13F loop around and pass back through the E you just exited from - to create one half of the loop of the little bow ( photo 20 )

21. Repeat the previous step on the other side of the 1E ( photo 21 )

22. Pass through 1F of the bottom of the bow loop you made in step 20 ( photo 22 )

23. Pick up 14F, missing out the last F you picked up, pass back up through the 13F ( photo 23 )

24. Pass back through the 1F from step 22, pass through the 1E, and the next 1F ( photo 24 )

25. Repeat step 23 and pass back through the 1F you exited from in step 24, and the 1E ( photo 25 )

26. Weave around any thread paths you feel that you may need strengthening, weave in and trim your thread, repeat with your tail ( photo 26 )

 If you're making it into a little keepsake, you're finished!

Or if you would like to add a little beaded loop to make it into a pendant, a Christmas tree decoration, or a necklace, follow these steps....

27. Cut a comfortable length of stretched beading thread onto a beading needle, locate the 5mm crystal bead that sits directly above your beaded bow, and pass through it, leaving a 20cm tail, and thread size 11/0 dark red seed beads, we thread 7 to make a loop big enough to make it into earrings or a pendant ( photo 27 )

28. Loop around and pass back through the 5mm crystal bead to create a little loop above it ( photo 28 )

29. Pass around the loop twice more to strengthen. Weave in your thread and trim, weave in your tail and trim. ( photo 29 )

Add a jump ring and a chain to make into a pendant....

...or make another beaded wreath, add ear wire to make a pair of earrings!

Or why not go bold and design your own colour way...

Products we used