In this blog post, we take inspiration from the wondrous structures and patterns of ice crystals and add a touch of Christmas cheer. For this purpose we have used the classic small round seed beads in combination with bugle beads, tube-shaped beads. It's all held together with fine metal wire. Use the crystals as decorations on the Christmas tree or in the window or make smaller designs for use in earrings and the like. The possibilities are many once you master the simple technique we show here.
Red Christmas Crystal
We used the following DIY components to make this Christmas crystal:
- approx.. 1.5m wire, gilded copper, 0.3mm (alternatively 0.4mm)
- red bugle beads, Miyuki
- Miyuki seed beads size #11, gold duracoat
First, you string 1 golden bead and 4 red bugle beads on the wire.
Pull one wire end through the golden bead one more time in order to form a circle. Allow for a wire end of 10cm, you will need it later on.
Tighten the wire.
String 1 golden bead and 3 red beads. Pull the wire through the last red bead in the 1. circle ... and then trough the golden bead in the 2. circle - top down. Tighten the wire.
Make the next circle in the same way.
Continue until you have finished 5 circles. Then you string 1 golden bead ... and pull the wire through the first red bugle bead in the 1. circle - from the bottom up.
String 2 red bugle beads ... and pull the wire through the last red bead in the 5. circle - top down.
Pull the wire through the golden bead in the 5. circle ... and then through the red bugle bead (see picture).
Now you are going to make the first short "branch". String 2 red bugle beads and 1 golden bead.
Skip the golden bead ... and pull the wire through one bugle bead. Tighten the wire.
Again you string 1 red bead and a golden bead ... skip the golden bead ... and pull the wire back through the one red bead. Tighten the wire.
String 1 red bead and 1 golden bead.
Skip the golden bead and pull the wire back through 2 red beads.
Pull the wire through one more red bead (see picture) .... so you can add the next "branch" to the crystal.
String 2 red beads and 1 golden bead ... skip the golden bead and pull the wire back through 1 red bead.
Repeat this one more time ...
String 2 red beads and 1 golden bead ... skip the golden bead ... and pull the wire back through 1 red bead.
And again ... string 1 red bead and 1 golden bead ... skip the golden bead ... and pull the wire back through 1 red bead.
String 1 red bead and 1 golden bead again ... skip the golden bead ... and pull the wire back through 3 red beads this time.
Pull the wire through the next red bead (see picture).
After that, you make the next short "branch" as you made the first. Continue like this assembling alternately short and long "branches" all around the crystal.
When you make the last long branch, you can incorporate a ring before you pull the wire back through the last 3 red beads.
Pull the wire through the next red bead on the left.
Wind the wire around the lower end of the short branch a few times. Then you can cut off the excess wire.
Take up the other wire end and pull it through 2 red beads in the short branch.
Wind it around it a few times ... and cut off the excess wire.
Your red Christmas crystal is done.
Blue Chrismas Crystal / Ice Flower
We used the following DIY components to make this ice flower:
- approx.. 1.5m wire, gilded copper, 0.3mm (alternatively 0.4mm or 0.2mm)
- Miyuki bugle beads, matte gunmetal
- Miyuki seed beads size #11, matte gunmetal
First you string 11 beads on the wire ...
... and pull the wire back through the 1. bead.
Tighten the wire ... and leave a wire end of approx. 10cm length.
Now you string 1 bugle bead + 11 beads.
Pull the wire back through the 1. bead.
Tighten the wire.
String 1 bugle bead + 11 beads once again ...
... and pull the wire back through the 1. bead.
Tighten the wire.
String 11 beads and pull the wire back through the 1. bead.
Tighten the wire.
Again you string 11 beads, pull the wire back through the 1. bead ...
... and tighten the wire.
Then you pull the wire through the bugle bead ...
... and tighten it.
String 11 beads and pull the wire back through the 1. bead.
Tighten the wire.
Pull the wire through the next bugle bead ... and tighten it.
String 11 beads and pull the wire back through the 1. bead.
Tighten the wire.
Pull both wire ends through a bugle bead.
Next, you string 2 beads + 1 bugle bead + 11 beads.
Pull the wire back through the 1. of the 11 beads...
... and tighten the wire.
Continue like that in order to assemble the rest of the "branch".
When you are done with the 5. branch, you string 2 beads ...
... and pull the wire through the 1. bugle bead of the 1. branch.
Tighten the wire and wind it around the branch a couple of times. Then you cut off the excess wire.
After that, you take the other wire end. Pull it through a bugle bead and make a few windings before you cut off the remaining wire.
Your Christmas ice flower is done.
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