beadsonline | Tutorial & Tips | Butterfly Dream Charm Bracelet Project

Tutorial & Tips

Filigree-Flower Necklace

Step 1 - Starting the center ring

Cut 20cm of tiger tail. We are going to work with the pattern of the violet filigree flower and attach the beads by ‘sewing’ them on with tiger tail. The beads are sewn working in a circular anti- clockwise direction, working from one petal to the next in stacked rows.

String on a 3mm Czech bead and pass it through the filigree holes as shown in the picture fig.1. Leave a 15cm tail tie a knot at the back of the filigree fig. 2.

Following diagram a pass the tiger tail through to the front of the filigree where indicated and string on another 3mm Czech bead and then pass the wire behind. Continue around the filigree sewing in and out of the filigree and add three more 3mm Czech beads.

Continue 'sewing' around the filigree a second time compete the ring by adding a further 3mm Czech bead, use diagram b as a guide Make sure your tension is tight and if you must pass the tiger tail through the same hole again make sure it sits on the top.

Finish by sewing a 6mm Czech bead in the middle of the filigree (Fig. 3) Tie the tiger tail ends together is a tight knot and trim.

Step 2 - Sewing the beads on the petals

Cut 80cm of tiger tail. String on 3mm Czech bead and pass through the filigree holes on one of the petals as in the diagram c and knot from behind. Pass the thread through to the next petal and sew a 3mm pearl through the filigree. Repeat to add six 3mm pearls in total (fig. 4).

TIP: If needed turn your filigree around to see the pattern and holes. Watch your tension make sure it is nice and tight. If you pass the tiger tail through the same hole make sure it sits on the top.

Step 3 - Adding a row of fire-polish beads

Continue working from one petal to the next, in an anti-clockwise direction start to sew the 3mm amethyst fire-polish beads using the holes as indicated in diagram d. Sew three beads each petal with a total of 18 beads (fig. 5). If repeating the same hole make sure your wire sits on the top.

Step 4 - Final row of fire-polish beads

Complete the filigree flower with a row of 3mm pink coral fire-polish beads. Follow diagram e to sew 4 beads per petal (fig. 6).

When you have completed all petals, tie the end of the tiger tail together in a tight knot and trim.

Step 5 - Creating the pendant

We are going to use another piece of filigree to hide the back of the beaded flower. Place the filigree piece together, so their backs touch. Use twelve 4mm jump rings to join the petal tips. (fig.7)

Step 5 - Making up the necklace

Cut 22cm of tiger tail. On the top left petal add a 4mm jump ring. Attach the tiger tail buy threading one crimp bead threading the tiger tail through the jump ring and back through the crimp. Close the crimps using your crimping pliers. Thread 27 6mm Czech press beads.

Thread on one crimp and loop of the clasp. Take the wire back through the crimp and the last few beads threaded. Pull the beads to make sure the beads are sitting close to the crimps. Close the crimps using your crimping pliers and trim tiger tail. Cover crimps with crimp covers.

Repeat step 2 for the other side of the necklace.