DIY Network

Beaded Wire Dragonfly and Bumblebee From "Scrapbooking" episode SCB-422

Project by Rebecca Ludens.

By adding beads and fabric to wire, you can create fun three-dimensional embellishments for your scrapbook pages. In this segment, we make a beaded wire dragonfly and bumblebee.

Materials:

The Paper Loft paper
Artistic Wire: 24-gauge seafoam green or 26-gauge copper wire
black and gold or green Bead Treasures beads
gold/green lightweight fabric
Beacon GemTac liquid adhesive
scissors
round-nose pliers

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For the dragonfly:

1. Wrap wire figure-eight style around two fingers. Tie off by wrapping tail around center point two times.

2. Add one bead to longest tail and fold tail down to join the other. Cut off to even.

3. Add nine beads over both tails. Fold tails out to hold on beads.

4. Spiral wire on both tails. Spread wings, then pull them carefully to create a dragonfly wing.

5. Use a toothpick to apply liquid glue to the back of the dragonfly wings.

6. Adhere a rectangle of fabric on the back of each side of the dragonfly, completely covering the back of each pair of wings.

7. When glue is completely dry, carefully cut around the outside of the wings with sharp scissors.

8. Apply liquid glue to the back of the beads to adhere dragonfly to layout or project.

For the bumblebee:

1. Cut an 18- to 24-inch piece of 26-gauge copper wire.

2. Add 15 black and gold beads and make a loop in the center of the wire. Twist the wire three times to secure the beads.

3. Thread wire around and through the first black bead to create one wing. Repeat on other side to create the second wing.

4. Shape wings as desired.

5. Trim tails of wire, leaving about 1-1/2 inches for the antenna. Add one black bead over both pieces of wire for head.

6. Using round-nose pliers, make a loop on each end of the antenna and shape.

7. Glue a piece of gold material to the back of each wing. Let dry and trim.

GUESTS :
Rebecca Ludens
Artistic Wire
Elmhurst, IL
Phone: 630-530-7567
Website: www.artisticwire.com
Instructor