Beads & Beyond Magazine - Top 20 - Top 15 Bridal tiaras and hairpieces

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21 May 2013

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Top 15 Bridal tiaras and hairpieces

Updated: 24 November 2011

The top 15 this month is a rundown of beautiful Bridal hair pieces including tiaras, hair pins and slides in classic colours of white, cream and silver. As featured in the June 2011 issue of Beads & Beyond.

Crystal and Pearl Hair Band

This easy to create Crystal and Pearl Hair Band can be made in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for adding a last minute touch to your accessories!

Gather these supplies

250 cm of 26 gauge Silver plated bead wire
21 4mm Crystal 2 AB crystals
19 4mm White crystal pearls
3 6mm Crystal 2 AB crystals
1 Antique silver plated Alice band
Artists paint brush (used to create spirals)
Wire cutters
Chain nose pliers

Here’s how

Cut 22cm of wire and thread on 1 x 6mm Crystal AB. Fold the wire in half around the crystal. Grip the ends of the wire firmly with flat nose pliers and twist the beads section away from you in the same way you wind a watch until this section is 4cm long (be very careful not to over wrap the wire as it may snap). Place this section in the middle of the hair band and wrap the single strands around the hair band a few times, finishing at the front. Trim the ends. Now take the paint brush and twist the strands around the handle to create a spiral.
Cut 20 cm of wire and thread on 1 x 4mm crystal AB. Again, fold the wire around the crystal and repeat step1 to create a 3cm twist. Cut another 20 cm of wire and repeat again with 1 x 4mm crystal AB. Place these twists on either side of the one already attached to the band, leaving 0.5cm gap on either side.
Cut 15 cm of wire and thread on 1 x 6mm crystal AB and repeat step 1 to create a twist and spiral of 2.5cm. Cut another 15 cm of wire and repeat again with another 1 x 6mm Crystal AB and place on either side of 4mm crystal as in picture.
Cut 15 cm of wire and thread on 1 x 4mm Crystal AB. Again fold the wire around the crystal and repeat step1 to create twist and spiral until this section is 2 cm. Place this next to the 6mm crystal. Cut another 15cm and repeat again with 1 x 4mm Crystal AB and place on the opposite sides of the 6mm crystals. Check sections are in the correct place.
Cut 100cm of wire and wrap around band at one end of hair slide, ensuring you cover any sharp ends. Thread on 1 x 4mm Crystal AB and 1 x 4mm White. Thread on remaining beads in this order to achieve an alternating pattern as seen in picture. When you reach twisted wire sections, carefully wrap the wire in between these and then continue to wrap remaining beads until you reach the other end of the hair band.

Shopping Guide
All beads and supplies are from The Bead Shop Scotland, Tel: 01620 822886
To visit their website click on the link below
www.beadshopscotland.co.uk

Bridal Hair Comb

Use this versatile wire to create a stylish hair comb. Perfect to add something special to your wedding outfit.

Gather these supplies

1 Hair comb silver coloured (CMB)
4 4mm Glass pearls white (GLVB0402)
3 6mm Glass pearls white (GLVB0602)
4 8mm Glass pearls white (GLVB0802)
1m Gympa wire cream (GYM20)
1m (sold in packs of 20m) 0.4mm Silver plated wire (SPW04)
You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
A former to wrap the wire around – I used a lipsalve stick!
A lighter

We have included the Beads Unlimited codes to make ordering easy, quote BB1106P to receive a free project sheet.

Here’s how

Cut 20cm of covered wire. Carefully melt each end with a lighter to stop any fraying. Wrap the covered wire tightly around each section on the hair comb, squeeze in any sharp ends with your multi pliers.
Cut a 30cm length of silver plated wire. Join tightly to the first section of the right hand side of the hair comb. Thread on a 4mm bead. Wrap the wire around so that the bead sits neatly.
Thread on a second 4mm bead and wrap the wire in the same way. Continue along the comb until you have added all of your 4mm and 6mm beads and two of the 8mm beads.
Use the remaining 80cm length of covered wire. Carefully melt each end with a lighter to stop any fraying. Wrap tightly around your former, leaving a tail of approximately 10cm.
Bend the circles in the wire to create a flat spiral shape. Use the tail in the wire to wrap around the centre to hold in place and to join to the left hand side of the hair comb.
Cut a 20cm length of 0.4mm silver plated wire. Thread on an 8mm bead and move to the centre of the wire. Hold the bead and twist the wire tightly together to the end. Repeat for the remaining bead.
Attach to the centre of the comb behind the spiral shape and bend around to follow the curve of the wire. Repeat for the second beaded wire so that they sit opposite each other. Squeeze in any sharp ends with your multi pliers.

Shopping Guide
All Beads and supplies are from Beads Unlimited, Tel: 01273 740777
To visit their website click on the link below
www.beadsunlimited.co.uk

Floral Bridal Hair Pin

Seed beads small pearls & crystals are strung onto two different thicknesses of wire to make this simple pop-in-pin for the Bride.

Gather these supplies

0.4mm Silver plated wire
0.8mm Silver plated wire
2mm Silver seed beads
3mm silver seed beads
4mm White glass pearls
4mm Opaque white round faceted crystals
1 Hair pin

Here’s how

Begin by cutting a 20cm length of 0.4mm wire. Wrap the wire around the middle of the hair pin a few times.
Add around 24 2mm seed beads to one of the wire ends then top with a single 4mm opaque white round crystal. Trim the end to 0.5cm then curl the tip with round nose pliers to hold the beads in place. Repeat on the other end of wire.
Repeat the first two steps x 2 then, with your fingers, carefully shape all the beaded wires down towards the center to create coiled petal shapes.
Cut a 50-60cm length of 0.8mm wire and turn one end to make a small hook. Add 3 x 3mm Seed Beads plus 1 x 4mm glass pearl then repeat this pattern until you reach 5cm from the end of the wire. Make a temporary small turn in the end of the wire to stop the bead falling off.
Loop the beaded wire around into petal shapes, shifting beads along the wire slightly when necessary and using the ‘hook’ end to fasten onto the stem for the first petal. Make 5 even sized petals in total then unbend the end and slip any excess beads off the wire.
Sit the beaded flower hair pin down into the larger flower so that the pin ends are hooked through the middle slightly. Then wrap the end around one side of the pin a couple of times before trimming and squashing the end in neatly.

Shopping Guide
All Beads and supplies are from Beads by Lili, Tel: 01249 651769
To visit their website click on the link below
www.beadsbylili.com

Silver, Crystal and Pearl Hair slide

A delicate silver Plated Hair slide, with a beautiful filigree butterfly adorned with Swarovski crystals and pearls.

Gather these supplies

1 0.4mm Silver plated wire
1 Silver filigree butterfly
1 Silver plated hair slide

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS:

2 4mm Lt. Creamrose 5810 pearls
2 4mm Platinum 5810 Pearls
3 4mm White Opal 5328 XILION beads
3 4mm Crystal Moonlight 5328 XILION beads
18 3mm Crystal 5328 XILION beads

Here’s how

Firstly secure the Filigree Butterfly to the Hairslide by wrapping the silver plated wire around the centre of the butterfly. For added stability, you could apply a blob of glue to the pad of the hairslide and allow to dry before using the wire.
Secure one end of a 30cm length of wire to the butterfly. Working with a series of shorter lengths of wire to reduce kinks and knots, just be careful to tuck in the ends so they won’t catch on the wearers hair!
Begin threading the beads through, starting with the pearls and larger XILIONs, spreading them out evenly across the butterfly. Then use the smaller 3mm XILIONS to ‘fill in’ the gaps.

Shopping Guide
All beads and supplies are from The Bead Shop (Nottingham) Ltd, Tel: 0115 9588 899
To visit their website click on the link below
www.mailorder-beads.co.uk

Crystal Carousel Fascinator

This delightful hairpiece will look perfect for brides or guests and features stunning SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Keystone beads and crystal pearls. It is easily assembled using Beadalon and crimp beads and then simply stitched onto a hair comb.

Gather these supplies

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS:

7 17mm Crystal AB keystone beads
7 6mm White pearl rounds
1 8mm White pearl rounds
4 3mm White pearl rounds
5 4mm Crystal AB cube beads
3 4mm Crystal AB Xilion beads
2 6mm Crystal AB flower beads

FINDINGS:

40CM 3cm Wide aqua organza ribbon
1 Silver Plated hair comb
205cm length 7 Strand white Beadalon
25 Silver plated crimp beads
White Nymo beading thread

TOOLS Sewing needle, chain nosed pliers, sidecutter pliers

Here’s how

Cut a 20cm length of beadalon. Thread a crimp bead, pass the length through the holes at the narrow end of all the Keystones. (ensure they are all the same side up.) Pass the Beadalon back through the crimp and pull the beads into a circle.
Thread both ends of the Beadalon back through the beads a short way in the direction they are pointing. Squash crimp using chain nosed pliers. Trim both ends of the Beadalon with sidecutter pliers.
Cut a 30cm length of Beadalon. Thread a crimp bead then pass the Beadalon through the holes at the wide end of the Keystone beads, adding a 6mm pearl in between each one.
Pass the Beadalon back through the crimp, then thread one end back through the Keystone. (the other won’t fit through the pearl.) Squash crimp and trim one end close to the crimp and the other where it exits the Keystone.
Pass a 15cm length of Beadalon through the 8mm pearl and thread both ends through a crimp bead. Push it up to the bead tightly and squash with chain nosed pliers. Put to one side.
Cut seven 20cm lengths of Beadalon. Hook one under the Beadalon in between two of the keystones on the inner ring. Make both ends the same length. Slip a crimp bead onto the doubled strand. Slide it down tightly to the keystones. Squash crimp. Repeat with the other strands placing them in between the other Keystones.
These 14 spiky strands make the flower stamens. Decorate each one randomly with the remaining crystals and pearls. To do this, thread a crimp, a bead and a crimp onto one of the strands. Slide the first crimp a little way down. Squash. Slide the bead and the other crimp down to it. Squash the second crimp.
Add a bead to each stamen, varying the length of each one and trimming the ends close to the end crimps. Don’t make any of the stamens longer than 6cm or they will ‘flop’ when it is in place.
Tie the ribbon in a bow. Cut the ends diagonally inwards to prevent fraying. Pass the reserved pearl and Beadalon through the centre of the flower, from front to back. Separate the ends and slip one under the vertical band of the bow.
Thread a crimp bead onto the Beadalon and pass the other end of the Beadalon through the crimp as well. Push it tightly up to the flower and around the bow, so the flower sits tightly against the bow.
Thread a double length of Nymo onto the needle, tying a knot in the ends. Pass it through the bow (from back to front), through the centre of the flower, through the large pearl and then back down through to the back of the bow again. Secure with a couple of stitches.
Pass the needle through the bow, bringing it out 2cm away from the centre. Lay the comb along the back of the bow and sew it on, first along one edge and then along the other. Finish of the thread securely.

Shopping Guide
All beads and supplies are from JillyBeads, Tel 01524 412728
To visit their website click on the link below
www.jillybeads.co.uk

Simple Hair slide

A simple little hair slide to add a hint of sparkle to brighten up your day.

Gather these supplies

200cm of 26 gauge silver plated bead wire
40 4mm Crystal 2 AB crystals
1 Antique silver plated Alice band

Here’s how

Cut 200cm of wire. Secure by tightly wrapping the wire around one end of the hair slide.
Now thread on 2 4mm Crystal AB and wrap them around and in between the teeth on the hair slide so the beads are in line with each other. Thread on another 38 crystals and repeat the wrapping technique another 19 times until you have a total of 40 crystals on the hair slide.
To finish, simply wrap the wire around the hair slide three times and trim ensuring there are no sharp ends.

Shopping Guide
All beads and supplies are from The Bead Shop Scotland Tel: 01620 822886
To visit their website click on the link below
www.beadshopscotland.co.uk

Silver Flourish Haircomb

A subtle haircomb to add a bit of extra sparkle to an elegant hair style.

Gather these supplies

135cm Beadalon 7 strand satin silver beading wire
50cm 0.4mm Silver plated wire
25cm Silver mesh ribbon
1 Silver plated 14 hole haircomb

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS:

2 5mm Silver shade 5328 XILION crystal beads
1 6mm Silver shade 5328 XILION crystal beads
1 8mm Silver shade 5714 crystal star bead
3 4mm Light grey 5810 crystal pearl
1 5mm Light grey 5810 crystal pearl
1 6mm Light grey 5810 crystal pearl
1 12mm Crystal silver Murano glass bead

Here’s how

Cut 9 lengths of Satin silver beadalon between 10-15cm. Group the wire in 3’s, fold each set of 3 strand in half, crimp them in place at the folded centre creating 3 sprigs of 6 short strands of wire.
Cut a 50cm length of 0.4mm silver plated wire, starting at one end of the comb securely attach the end of the mesh ribbon along with one of the sprigs of Beadalon with the wire.
Work along the length of the comb catching in the edge of the mesh ribbon with the wire and securing a sprig in the centre and at the other end of the comb.
Once you have worked across one length of the comb work back along the comb catching in any excess ribbon and wiring beads along the comb. Attach the bead randomly, use the holes in the comb to help stitch them in place.
Fill in any gaps with smaller beads and using the rest of the wire, once you are happy that all the gaps are filled fasten off any excess wire.
For the finishing touches curl the Beadalon flexible wire sprigs by running your finger nails along it or use paper scissors. Pull out the edges of the mesh ribbon to create decorative frills.

Shopping Guide
All beads and supplies are from The Bead Shop (Nottingham) Ltd, Tel: 0115 9588 899, Email: info@mailorder-beads.co.uk
To visit their website click on the link below
www.mailorder-beads.co.uk

Pearl Flower Comb

Bridal inspired hair comb decorated with sparkly seed beads and daisy shaped flowers made from pearls and metal sparkle beads.

Gather these supplies

Plastic hair comb with 3 pierced holes on the band
4m 0.4mm Soft silver plated wire
15 8mm Ivory pearls
3 6mm Silver metal sparkle beads
8g Size 11 silver lined AB crystal seed beads

Here’s How

Cut 1m of the wire and use it to wrap the seed beads across the top edge of the comb. It is easiest to do this by starting at the centre and working out to each edge. Make sure while you are doing this that you keep the seed bead decoration to the front of the comb.
Now make the flowers. Cut 1m of wire and thread 5 x 8mm pearls into the centre. Pass the end of the wire back through the first bead threaded to bring the 5 pearls into a circle. Bring one end of the wire up into the centre and pick up a metal sparkle bead. Take the end of the wire through one of the pearls opposite the side the wire came in from and them take the wire end down under the circle of pearls.
Bring the two wire ends together under the flower just made and twist together to secure the flower shape.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make two further flowers.
Using the wire tails, and the pierced holes in the comb, attach the three flowers above the beaded band decoration created in step 1. The pictured comb has the central flower secured slightly higher than the end ones to give extra shape to the design.
Secure all the wire ends and trim back neatly ensuring there are no raw ends on the underside of the comb.

Shopping Guide
All beads and supplies are from The Spellbound Bead co. Tel 01543 417650
To visit their website click on the link below
www.spellboundbead.co.uk

Floral Burst Headband

A vintage style headband created using Swarovski Crystal Xilions and pearls along with antique silver filigree pieces making a statement floral feature.

Gather these supplies

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS:

13 4mm Silver Shade 5328 XILION crystal beads
17 4mm Black Diamond 5328 XILION crystal beads
24 4mm Silver Night 5328 XILION crystal beads
13 4mm Light Creamrose Crystal pearl
3 6mm Silver Shade 5328 XILION crystal beads
5 6mm Black Diamond 5328 XILION crystal beads
1 12mm Light Creamrose crystal pearl

5 Trinity Brass Filigree tear drop antique silver
1 Silver plated alice band
0.4mm Silver plated wire

Here’s how

Start by cutting a length of wire roughly 50cm long. Thread on a crystal and position approximately 15cm away from the end of the wire. Fold the wire over either side of the crystal and grip the wire with chain nose pliers just below the bead at the point where the wire crosses. Twist until you have approx 1cm of twist.
Add another crystal or pearl onto the longer length of wire, bring the other length of wire around the bead, cross the wires over just behind the bead and twist (make sure you twist in the same direction each time.)
Roughly measure your band and at the start of the second third of the band, use the short length of wire to attach the twist to the band. Working towards the middle, add more twists at varying heights along the band until you have filled 3cm.
Leave a gap of roughly 5cm (this is where the flower will sit) and continue to attach twists until another 3cm is covered. Arrange the twists so that they lie flat against the band.
Using nylon jawed pliers, gently flatten out the filigree tear drops. Cut a length of wire, approximately 50cm long and start to wind it on to the band. Use the wire to ‘stitch’ the filigree pieces onto the band, one by one until you have created a flower shape.
With the rest of the length of wire, thread on the 12mm pearl and arrange it into the middle of the filigree flower, wrap once around the band before adding enough 4mm Black Diamond crystals to encircle the base of the pearl.
Cut a new length of wire and anchor it to the band under the flower. One by one, thread on 4mm crystals and pearls, wrap around the band between each one and cover as much of the band as you wish. Repeat on the other side of the flower.

Shopping Guide
All beads and supplies are from The Bead Shop (Nottingham) Ltd, Tel: 0115 9588 899
To visit their website click on the link below
www.mailorder-beads.co.uk

Flutterby Tiara

Heavily encrusted pearl and sparkle tiara nestled with butterflies – Jodie has decorated both the back and front of the frame so that it looks just as good from the back as the front.

Gather these supplies

1m 1.2mm Half hard silver plated wire
4m 0.4mm Soft silver plated wire
20m 0.2mm Soft silver plated wire
5 6mm Silver sparkle beads
5 8mm Silver sparkle beads
70 6mm Ivory glass pearls
25 4mm Ivory glass pearls
11 Metallic cream 6mm faceted beads
16 Metallic cream 4mm faceted beads
17 Cream pearl 6mm faceted beads
20 4mm Cut crystal AB bicones (A)
30 Silver 4mm faceted beads (B)
10 4x6mm Crystal AB cut glass beads
4 6x8mm Crystal AB cut glass beads
6 6x8mm Light Colorado topaz cut glass beads
6 4x6mm Light Colorado topaz cut glass beads
10 4x6mm Light Colorado topaz cut glass rondelles
6 Small silver butterfly beads
1 Large silver butterfly pendant charm
2 Small silver leaf pendant charms
7 8mm Crystal faceted glass beads
4cm Fine ribbon
2cm Florists tape

Here’s how

First make the band. To do this you need to cut two lengths from the1.2mm wire, one approx 36cm long and one 40cm long – this will make a finished band 38cm in length. Ideally you want the band to fit around the front of the head and extend to finish just behind the middle of the ear. This is the ideal place for both comfort and security when worn – if in doubt go a little longer as too short bands can be quite uncomfortable, and you can always trim back a too long band!
Lie the two cut bands on top of each other so that the longer band extends by 2cm at each end of the shorter band. Bind the two bands together using a length of the 0.4mm wire making sure that the bands sit cleanly together for the whole length and do not twist.
To complete the basic band turn over the final 1cm on the longer band so that the cut end of the long band meets the cut end of the short band on each end.
Now take the remaining 20cm of 1.2mm wire and bend it gently in the middle – this will form the point in the centre front of the tiara. Positioning this point above the centre of the band just made, approx 2cm above the band, gently curve the wire down onto the band at each side and bind onto the band with some of the 0.4mm wire.
Now gently shape the band into a curve so that it fits your head comfortably. You must ensure that the two parts of the band sit on top of each other as you view the band from the front.
Before you start to add your main decoration, reserve a few of the A and B beads (4mm crystal AB bicones and 4mm silver facets)to wrap along the length of the sides of the tiara band at the end – Jodie has used 12 beads on each side to decorate.
Cut a 75cm length of 0.2mm wire. Wrap the middle of the wire onto the top of the wire arch at the centre front with three of four winds so one end points to the left and one to the right.
Mix your beads together pulling out any extra special ones you want to reserve for the finishing touches (butterflies etc).
Pick the first bead from your mixed pile and thread it onto one end of the 0.2mm wire. Push the bead down to within a few millimetres of the tiara frame. Bring the 0.2mm wire into a tight loop around the bead pinching the two sides of the loop together against the tiara band immediately below the bead. Twist the bead twice to secure the loop.
Wrap the 0.2mm wire twice over the frame wire working out towards the end of the band. Repeat step 9.
Repeat step 10 three or four times with one end of the wire - then swap to the other end of the wire and repeat working out to that side of the design. Work both sides alternately until the wire ends are used up.
Cut a new 75cm length of 0.2mm wire and join to the centre of the frame as before. Wind the ends of the wire out to either side until you are in the correct position continue the beading. Repeat until both the top arch and the lower band are covered with beads.

Finish off the design with a final few lengths of 0.2mm wire to add the special feature beads reserved in step 8. Add these on slightly longer twisted loops so they sit on top of the beaded cluster effect and are not swallowed up into the whole.
To decorate the band lengths add an extra length of 0.2mm wire at each side and wrap out toward the ends incorporating half of the beads you kept back at step 6 on each side, just to add a little sparkle on the band.
Make sure all of the thin wire ends are tucked in and neatened.
Bind the ends of the tiara band with a little florists tape to prevent the wire from catching in the hair.

Shopping Guide
All Beads and supplies are from Spellbound Beads, Tel: 01543 417650
To visit their website click on the link below
www.spellboundbead.co.uk

Silver Coiled Flowers Hairclip

Create an original hairclip, coiling wire and adding some sparkle to your special day without spending a fortune.

Gather these supplies

1 Reel 0.4mm silver plated wire
1 Silver plated hair clip

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS:

3 6mm Crystal silver plated 7707 slider
2 5mm Comet Argent Light 5328 XILION crystal Beads
4 5mm Crystal 5328 XILION crystal
1 4mm White Opal 5328 XILION crystal
1 6mm White Opal 5328 XILION crystal
1 Coiling Gizmo

Here’s how

Making the flowers; cut 40cm of 0.4mm wire, coil it using the thin bar of the coiling gizmo. Cut off any excess wire to create a cylinder shape. Thread 14cm of 0.4mm wire though the cylinder and bend it to make a petal shape.
Close the petal by twisting the ends of the wire together. Do not cut off any excess wire as this is going to help create the flower. Create 5 more petals in the same way.
Group the five petals together and wrap one of the long excess pieces of wire around all the pieces of wire 3 times to secure the flower.
Place a crystal slider in the middle of the flower and thread 10cm of 0.4mm wire through the holes to secure it in place. Twist the wire under the flower and into the other wires already twisted together.
Attach the flower to the hairclip using the remaining wire, wrapping them around the top bar of the hair clip. Tuck the ends in neatly before cutting off any excess wire. Create two more flowers and attach these to the hair clip in the same way.
Cut 50cm of 0.4mm wire, coil it using the thin bar, this time do not cut off any excess wire. Open up one end of the coil slightly and attach short sections of coiled wire to the ends of the hair clip.
Use any remaining straight lengths of wire to add XILION beads; thread on a XILION bead approximately 2cm from the hair clip, fold the wire either side of the beads and turn the bead to twist the wire around itself back to the hair clip.
Add more beads by attaching new pieces of wire to the base and twisting in the same way tucking in the ends. Once the decorative bits are all added, use pliers or your fingers to curl the coils and twists out from the hair clip.

Cupids Bow

A beautifully ‘undone’ wire-wrapped tiara with romantically glinting fire polish beads and gorgeous glossy glass pearls.

Gather these supplies

1 Silver plated tiara base (tiara-sp)
1 pack 0.4mm Silver plated wire (SW04-sp)
1 pack 4mm Round silver plated beads (PJ2902-sp)
1 strand 4mm White Czech glass pearl (CZPL-4-RO-WH)
1 strand 4mm Silver Czech glass pearl (CZPL-4-RO-SLVR)
1 strand 3mm Crystal AB Czech fire polish beads (CFP-3ab-0003)

Here’s how

Measure the tiara base and mark a spot a 1/3 of the length away from the right end.
Cut a 75cm length of 0.4mm silver plated wire and fold in half. Twist the two lengths together to form a twisted wire and gently pull through your fingers or a pair of nylon-jawed pliers to smooth and strengthen. Fold the twisted length in half again, and taking the left hand side, measure 2.5cm from the bend and fold the wire backwards to form a ‘V’-shape. Repeat with the right side so a ‘W’-shape is formed. Repeat this process so that you have two.
Cut a 50m length of 0.4mm wire, fold in half and twist the two halves together to form a twisted wire. Gently bend in half (do not crisply fold) to create a gentle looped ‘U’-shape. Repeat this process so you have two.
Cut a 40cm length of 0.4mm wire, fold in half and twist the two halves together to form a twisted wire. Gently bend in half (do not crisply fold) to create a gentle looped ‘U’-shape. Repeat this process so you have two.
Take one of the larger loops and twist together the last 2.5cm of both ends so that the loop is now teardrop-shaped. Repeat this technique with the other large ‘U’-shaped wire and also with both of the smaller ones.
Taking one smaller teardrop and one larger one, bind together with a 10m length of 0.4mm wire ensuring that the smaller one sits inside the larger. Repeat with other pair- creating the frame for two bow tops/loops. Join the two bow tops together by twisting the wire. Repeat this process with the pointed ribbon ends so that they are also twisted together in the same manner.
Attach the joined ribbon tops to the tiara base at the third-way point. Next attach the ribbon bottoms to the tiara base directly below the ribbon tops so that you have a bow frame. Cut off any excess wire, ensuring that there are no sharp or uncomfortable bits.
Cut a 1m length of wire and attach to tiara base by winding near to where the frame is attached to the tiara. Post the end of the wire through the space between the outline of the ribbon end and wind twice around the twisted wire frame. Add a 4mm silver pearl bead, ensuring it sits nicely on top of the frame and then bind the wire around the frame twice more. Continue in this manner with a random array of both 4mm silver and white pearls, 3mm Crystal AB Fire Polish beads and 4mm silver plated hollow beads. Do not pull the wire too tight so as to bend the frame. Gently cross the binding wire and beads over the frame every so often to create a slight criss-cross pattern. Work down the length of the frame and back up again adding beads when necessary. When you reach the tiara base; wrap the wire around the base four times and trim the excess.
Repeat this process with the other ribbon end as well as with both bow loops ensuring that you start and end the wire on the tiara base separately for each part of the frame. You should now have a loosely beaded bow.
To finish the design, cut a 60cm length of 0.4mm wire. Starting from the left-hand side of the bow lay a 3cm length against the back of the tiara base travelling up towards the end of the base. Then, to catch in the loose end, re-wrap over the wire adding beads to cover the base and the loose wire. Add one white pearl, wrap, one silver bead, wrap, and then one sliver pearl and wrap. Repeat twice so you have nine 4mm beads in a row on the tiara base travelling towards the beaded bow. Next gently wrap around the middle of the bow twice adding some silver and white pearls to cover any messy bits. Continue wrapping the tiara base – adding beads in the reverse order; one silver pearl, wrap, one silver bead, wrap, and then one white pearl and wrap. Continue this pattern so there are another nine beads on the other side of the bow. Wrap the end of the wire twice around the base after the final white pearl and then wind back on yourself and trim the wire so it is hidden between two pearls.

Shopping Guide
All Beads and supplies are from Crystals and Ice, Tel: 0845 108 65 84
To visit their website click on the link below
www.crystals-and-ice.co.uk

Pearl Flower

Flower shaped pearl brooch made in chunky 8mm pearls for real impact. Use the same techniques with smaller pearls for a more delicate touch – or even matching earrings.

Gather these supplies

Hair slide or 40mm brooch pin
35 8mm Ivory pearls
6 6mm Silver sparkle beads
2m 0.4mm Silver plated soft wire

Here’s how

First make the five petals. Cut 30cm wire, thread on 7 pearls, bring the wire together at the ends, bringing the pearls round in a circle and twist the wire together 5 or 6 times, close to the pearls so that the pearls hold an elongated circle shape.
Repeat step 1 four more times to make the other petals
To make the centre cut a further 30cm of wire and thread on 5 of the sparkle beads. Pass the end of the wire back through the first bead added in the same direction as before to bring the sparkle beads into a circle. Now bring one end up into the centre of the flower and add on the last sparkle bead to make the centre of the flower. Take the wire back behind this flower shape and secure the form by twisting the two ends of the wire together.
Now lie the central sparkle flower, and the five petals, face down in front of you and bring the wire ends together and bind them to secure the flower shape
Use the tails of the wire to secure the flower onto the brooch pin.

Shopping Guide
All Beads and supplies are from Spellbound Beads, Tel: 01543 417650
To visit their website click on the link below
www.spellboundbead.co.uk

Combing for Pearls

Delicate bridal hair comb created using classical bridal shades in pearls and firepolish.

Gather these supplies

1 Silver Plated Hair Comb
2m 0.2mm Silver Plated Copper Wire
11 4mm Czech Glass Pearls - White
16-20 4mm Czech Glass Pearls - Silver (S)
16-20 3mm Czech Fire Polish - Crystal AB (C)

Here’s how

Cut your wire and wrap the approximately 1cm length through the first hole on the left side of comb to secure it.
Come up through the hole one more time this time adding on a white pearl, guide your wire around the outer edge of the hole and up through the next hole across. Repeat this for two white pearls.
As you come up through the third hole add one 3mm fire polish bead around 2 cms from the hole, bend the wire back down so you have a lower case 'n' shape with the bead sitting across the top. Repeat this 11 more time through the same hole creating the pattern: S, C, S, C, S, C, S, C, S, C, S, C.
After the last 'n' has been made come up through the next comb hole and thread the remaining white pearls onto the come as before so they pull tight to the comb until there is a line of pearls across the entire top of the comb.
Once you reach the end work from right to left threading the remaining silver pearls underneath the row of white pearls. To do this go up through the hole, thread a pearl and then take it down through the comb teeth and up to the next hole to the left.
When you have completed both pearl rows work once more from left to right threading on your remaining Fire Polish. To do this thread up through a hole, through a bead and then back down through the same hole. The Fire Polish bead should rest in the middle of the two pearl rows. Move to the next hole and repeat this until you have taken this row right across the comb.
Once all the bead rows are in place wrap 1cm length of wire between the final hole and the outer edge of the comb as you did at the start to secure the beads. Cut off any excess wire.
Go back to your 'n's' and gently twist each so that the wire forms a twist beneath the bead, repeat this for all of the beads and arrange into a suitable 'shower' effect of beads.

Shopping Guide
All Beads and supplies are from Crystals and Ice, Tel: 0845 108 65 84
To visit their website click on the link below
www.crystals-and-ice.co.uk

Modern Vs Classic

Design by Rebecca Hughes

A modern twist on a classic tiara design. This tiara features structured wrap over wire forms which have been embellished with crystals. Hide the tiara base behind 4mm soft cream crystals.

Gather these supplies

100 (approx) 4mm Cream Swarovski pearls
12 4mm Xillion Swarovski bicones
2m 0.6mm Silver plated wire
3m 0.4mm Silver plated wire
24 Silver plated crimp tubes
1 Silver plated tiara band

Here’s how

Cut five 25cm (approximately) lengths of 0.6mm wire using the cutters. The wires should measure slightly different lengths.
Anchor one piece of wire to the tiara band 8cm from the end of the band. Wrap the wire a couple of times so it is secure. Thread on a crimp tube, a crystal and another crimp tube onto the wire, then repeat. Do not squash the crimps yet. Working with the natural curve in the wire, take the wire from one side of the tiara band to the other. If the wire is running from above the band, attach it on the underside of the band at the other end. Fix the wire in place by wrapping.
Repeat for four more wires and criss-cross them in a random fashion at the front of the tiara. Attach all wire ends to the tiara base – snipping any excess wire if necessary. Press in the wire ends with chain nose pliers into the band so the tiara will be comfortable to wear.
Working with a very long length of 0.4mm wire, anchor the wire to the end of the tiara band a wrap multiple times neatly to cover the tiara tip. Thread a 3mm pearl onto the 0.4mm wire, take the wire over and around the band twice, then thread on another pearl. Continue wrapping pearls onto the tiara band. When you come to the 0.6mm wires wrapped to the band, continue wrapping pearls to cover the wrapping as neatly as you can.
Continue wrapping until the whole of the tiara band is covered in pearls.
Decide where you want your crystals to sit on your wires and press the crimps with chain nose pliers to squash them flat. Your crystals will then remain in one place along the wire.

Shopping Guide
Pearls and crystals from JillyBeads – www.jillybeads.co.uk
Wire and tiara band from Spellbound Bead Co. – www.spellboundbead.co.uk

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June 2013

On sale: 09/05/2013

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