Beaded Snowflake Decorations - Festive Jewellery Making Tutorial

TIP: Tension is as important as your choice of beading thread for this tutorial.

Keep your tension snug throughout. Ensure your snowflake does not pucker but at the same time, it all needs to remain stiff.

Monofilament is the ideal thread to use. If using a thread with a softer drape, the tension is even more important and we highly recommend passing through each round a second time before you step up to begin the next one. This will help the finished piece maintain it's shape.

Begin by cutting an arms span of thread.

Flatten the end with some pliers and thread it onto your needle. You may need to use the pliers to pull the thread through the eye of the needle a short way.

Pick up 1 x 3mm bead and 1 x 6mm bead alternatively until you have 6 of each on your thread. Push them to the end of the thread, leaving yourself a 20 cm tail.

Pull the beads into a circle and tie the threads together with a double knot.

Pass through all the beads again until you exit the last 3mm bead added.

Pick up 3 x 4mm beads

Now pass back through the 3mm bead from the opposite direction.

This will create a little triangle (picot) sitting above the 3mm bead.

Pass though the next 2 beads on the base row so that you exit the next 3mm bead along.

Pick up 3 x 4mm beads.

Again, pass back through the 3mm bead on the base row, but from the opposite direction.

Continue adding beads in this manner until all of the 3mm beads on the base row has a picot of 4mm beads.

Following the bead path, pass though the next 2 beads on the base row (6mm & 3mm) and the next 2 x 4mm beads  to 'step up' ready for your next row.

Pick up 1 x 6mm bead, 1 x 3mm bead and 1 x 6mm bead.

Skipping all other beads, pass through the top 4mm bead in the next picot along.

Pick up 1 x 6mm bead, 1 x 3mm bead and 1 x 6mm bead. Again, skipping all other beads, pass through the top 4mm bead on the next picot along.

Continue adding beads all the way around to form a circle.

Pass through all beads in the circle just created a second time, ensuring you exit a 3mm bead.

Pick up 3 x 4mm beads.

As before, pass back through the 3mm bead but from the opposite direction to form a picot above the 3mm bead.

Pass through the next few beads on the previous row (6mm, 4mm, 6mm & 3mm) until you exit the next 3mm bead along.

Continue adding picots of 3 x 4mm beads to each 3mm bead from the previous row all the way around the circle.

Tie off and trim threads. Adding a dab of glue or clear nail varnish to the knots will add an extra layer of security.
Please use caution with glue. Monofilament can melt when used with some strong super glues.

If you are new to beading, you will find our video very useful: How to Secure Your Threads

Cut approx. 12cm of cord or ribbon. Pass it through a point on your star and tie a knot at the end.

And it's ready to hang!

Which beads will you use to make yours??

Alternatively, you could turn it into a large pendant. Simply add a pinch bail and fit it over a 4mm bead on one of the points, add your favourite chain or cord and it's ready to wear.

The one in the image is 15x4mm - product code W0670

We hope you had fun with this project. Please don’t forget to rate it and please do share your version of it. We would love to see how you did it Your Way!

What better way to relax and unwind than with a tray of beads, a cup of tea and a group of like-minded people? Our Facebook Page is the ideal place to go to share with the beading community. Whether you want to chat, exchange ideas or show us your works of art.... All are welcome to join!