In this project I will tell you about beading onto filigrees. There are several ways to do that. One is to string the beads onto thread or wire and wrap this around any object. This is referred to as 'wire wrapping'. B'sue often calls it cagework beadery.
The way the project here is done is a little different, it's 'Milli'z' way. For this project I don't string the beads onto wire or thread, but instead make small segments with beads and wire that will then be attached to the filigree - a beautiful Russian Gold Plated leaf - each segment separately. Because of the shape of the beads this gives a different effect, the beads will all sit on the filigree, facing the right direction.
For this project you will need:
- 2 leaf filigrees, I used B'Sue's Russian Gold Plated Filigree # RGP05823 because they have the most beautiful finish that will complement any color of beads you choose and they are just the right size to do this project with.
- Brass wire 28 gauge.
- Nymo beading thread in the color that closest matches the base color of the filigree. Available in any good craft store
- Long, thin beading needle. Bees wax is optional but I don't like the residue it leaves on the shiny beads. Just don't use a too long piece of thread and you won't need the wax.
- Hypo Cement (jewelers glue), the one with the long narrow nose
- Seed beads size 6/0 and 8/0 or 11/0, all to your own taste. The 6/0 (also called E-beads) are a good choice for the middle vein of the leave. The side veins look better with smaller seed beads, I have used 11/0 for this project. Choose a nice flashy color or you can even use several different colors together, let your imagination be your guide!
- Flat nose pliers, I use these in case I have to pull the needle through a narrow opening.
- Good side cutter.
- Ear wires of choice ( B'Sue's "Ear18" are used for these earrings).
Optional: small scissors, and a small flat saucer or dish with an edge comes in really handy to put some loose beads in because you don't want to be crawling all over the floor chasing your beads...
Here we go!
First we make the segment for the middle vein. Cut a 7" length 28 gauge wire. Very loosely fold the wire in three, don't make any sharp edges. This may seem rather long but when you have done this first one you'll be able to estimate how much 'over-length' you'll need for the rest of the segments.
Of the 6/0 beads it will take about 12 beads for the total length of the middle vein but because 6/0 beads are often a little different in size you need to measure the length as you go. The top of the leaf where the hole is needs to be left free. That's where you are going to attach the leave to the earwire.
String on 4 or 5 beads.
Now lead one end of the wire around a first bead and then back through the rest, until a piece of +/- 2" wire sticks out on the other side, and string the rest of the beads onto these two wires until you get to the right length. Please note: If you have to choose between adding one bead and come out over the edge, or leave one out and have it a few millimeters shorter, omit that last one. It's no problem to have it a tad shorter, but if the segment is too long it won't work well.
Take the end of the wire that hasn't been folded over yet from the other side, and do the same with that end of the wire: lead it over the first bead and then back into and through the rest of all the beads until it sticks out on the other side. When leading each end back through all the beads, the two beads at both ends also need to be strung through.
It then looks like this:
Now take each end of the wire and pull (NOT TOO HARD) so that the beads come to sit snugly against each other. Do not pull too hard because the strand will become rigid and that is not what you want. By leaving a teeny tiny give it allows you to make a little curve when attaching it to the filigree. If the beads are pushed too close, making a curve is risky because the beads may brake.
Do not cut off the remaining wire on either side.
Place the middle vein on the filigree. You can make an ever so slight curve in it which will make it look more interesting than when left totally straight. Holding the beads onto the filigree in the right place between thumb and index finger you use the wire that sticks out at the bottom of the leaf around one edge of the filigree without letting the beads move. Then bring it up on the other side through one hole closest to the vein and wrap it around the vein and down to the back, gently pulling the wire between the beads so it becomes invisible. You can repeat this once or twice, while moving up from the lower point of the leaf up to the top. The whole length of this middle vein doesn't need more than 4 or 5 wraps. If you run out of this end of the wire, you can use the wire that comes out at the top and instead of finishing that off right at the top use it to make 1 or 2 wraps, all the time making sure that with every wrap the wire disappears between the beads. When the vein is safely attached, finish off the wire and tuck it in carefully so it will not cause any snags.
This is how the back should look:
Use the same method as used for the middle vein to make smaller segments with the smaller beads, in lengths that fit all the side veins. On these filigrees I used 8 side veins, with segments from 3 up to 9 or 10 small beads. You can cut the remaining pieces of wire off on either side of the smaller segments when finished.
To attach the 8 small side veins I prefer to use the needle and Nymo thread. If you feel that you can do it with the wire then of course that is fine but you don't want to end up with sharp end pieces at the back. Therefore, for this project I will guide you through doing it with the beading needle and thread which will leave the back clean and smooth.
Thread the needle with app. 20" Nymo, double it up and make a good solid knot. With a small pair of scissors, cut off any excessive thread leaving no more than 1/8".
Starting at the top op the leaf, bring the needle up from the back to the front, as close as possible to the middle vein and to the vein you want the segment to go on and then down around one piece of the filigree and through the double thread so the knot secures it. Do not begin to attach a segment yet at this point.
Then bring the needle up again and sew the segment onto the vein, starting between the first and the second first bead, carefully hiding the thread between the beads. Make more wraps while moving towards the edge of the leaf. 3 Or 4 wraps is plenty, but this also depends on how many beads there are on a segment. Make sure the last wrap goes between the last and the second last bead at the edge. Then bring the thread back to the center with one or - if necessary - two wraps, and sew on the vein at the other side of the middle vein. When at the edge of the leaf, again make sure that the last wrap goes between the last and the second last bead and return to the center of the leaf in the same manner.
If you have enough thread left, you can gently lead it down, towards the bottom of the leaf through the middle by making one or two stitches at the back through the wire that was used for the middle vein, just to hold the thread close and in place, and proceed with the remaining vein segments, for each segment starting at the center vein, working towards the sides, and back. If you run out of thread you'll have to finish it off carefully as described below, and start a new piece as you have done with the first piece.
Finish off the thread and cut it off, leaving about 1/16" of the thread. This is where the Hypo cement comes in. Put a tiny dab on the starting knots and the finishing knots, pushing flat any extra thread and let dry thoroughly.
When dry attach the ear wires of your choice and.... Tadaaah! You'll have the most eye catching earrings with 'Fluttering Autumn Leaves'!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Milli started making jewelry about 9 years ago. She enjoys using a wide variety of materials, from Vintage Brass Filigrees, Glass, Swarovski Crystal and Seed Beads to Semi Precious stones and Sterling Silver.
You can see more of her work at her 2 websites:
www.MaisonMilli.com and
www.RubyLane.com/shops/MilliJoolz
Would you like to design a project for our website? All designers will get full credit, links to their website and a gift certificate to spend any way they like at B'sue Boutiques website. Contact B'sue for details at bsue1441@aol.com
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