Believe it or not these beaded cross ornaments are easy and inexpensive to make. You can take this simple idea to form any shape with wire and then wrap in beads, maybe a star, heart, candy cane or Christmas tree!
Materials:
- Seed beads
- Wire cutters
- 26 gauge wire
- 20 gauge wire (for the cross shape)
- Paper for shape pattern
- Optional: 18 gauge wire for hanger
Directions:
I made about 50 of these ornaments (for party favors) I wanted them all the same size, so I made a pattern. By drawing out the size I wanted on paper, made it so easy for all my crosses to be the same size!
Using 20 gauge wire to form the cross shape, I started with a small loop on one end (this will be the top for hanging the ornament) made my cross shape by twisting the wire around its self and ending back at the top, finishing by wrapping the wire around and around, cutting off what I did not need. My cross is 4 1/2″ long by 2″ wide, I cut a piece of wire 18″ to 20″ to make this size cross.
Now that the cross form is made it’s time to bead. I love using the 26 gauge wire, it is so easy to work with. Jo Anns carries this wire in all colors, it is permanently colored copper wire by Darice 30 yards for about $2.50 (bring a coupon!) so it goes a long way! For this size of cross you do want to use glass seed beads 10g size (they are the small ones) and these beads come in all colors! Again Jo Anns carries them in small packages for about $1.00 to $1.50 (coupon!) and the beads go a long way. Bottom line, this is an inexpensive project!
Cut a long piece of the 26 gauge wire, not too long as it will make it hard to work with and you can add more wire along the way! I like to start at the top, wrapping the wire around the wire cross, string on a few beads and start wrapping the beads around. I like to work the beads down then back up, this makes it easy to fill in an area that may need more beads.
Remember it you run out of wire, you can add more. simply wrap a new piece of wire around the form and keep going.
I have wrapped just one layer of beads, so it would not be too thick!
I love the look, with some of the wire showing, remember the wire comes in colors! You can use red wire for different look, I like the color Gun Metal.
For an added touch I made hooks from 18 gauge wire, just a simple ‘S’ shape and this wire comes in colors also!
Oh the possibilities!!
This one I add just a few larger red beads!
Just an idea, tie a beaded cross on a gift box or bag!!
Or in a shadow box frame!
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