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Beaded Swan Recipe

I put this up especially for my younger cousin, so I hope she has found it by now :)

Check you have all necessary ingredients before you begin creating the swan from the recipe below.

The head and neck

step 1

Thread your teardrop shaped bead on to the wire so that the thinner part of the teardrop is near the end of the wire and curl the end of the wire into a small loop so that the bead does not come off (note if you don't have the small pliers that make this easy, you can just thread the bead and wrap the wire back under the bead and loop around it's self near the top/larger end of the bead).

step 3

Thread the bead that you have selected for the swans head (larger/8mm bead) next so the beak and head look joined.

step 4

Next, thread about 8 of the smaller sized beads (6mm) on to the wire to make the swans neck. If you are making a small swan you will need to halve the number of beads and if making a larger swan you will need to add more beads. (These beads are about 2 sizes smaller than the larger beads you have selected).

step 5

Add another of your larger beads (approximately the same size as the head - 8mm) so that the swans neck tapers off into a thicker body.

step 6

To add some more body and texture, thread 4-6 of your feature beads on to the wire. Once you have done this you will be ready to start the body.

the body

Basically the body of the swan is made up of 4 beaded loops that get get smaller as you go. To begin creating the body you just keep threading beads on to the wire as you have been. I have added a small diagram that shows different bead types for the beak, head, neck and beginning of body - the following loops are the same but with a few less beads for each of the following three loops.

step 7 - base/bottom body loop

• Thread on 7 of your smaller (6mm) beads
• Next add 2 of your larger (8mm) beads
• Add 2, 3 or 4 feature beads or tail feathers
• add 2 larger (8mm) beads
• add 7 of your smaller (6mm) beads
• Loop the wire back around itself so that a loop is created pull it so all beads are firm on the wire and so that the wire is pulled across to begin the next loop starting on the right (when head is facing away from you).

step 8 - 2nd body loop

• Thread on 6 of your smaller (6mm) beads
• Next add 2 of your larger (8mm) beads
• Add 2, 3 or 4 feature beads (use the same number as you did on the first/bottom loop) or tail feathers
• add 2 larger (8mm) beads
• add 6 of your smaller (6mm) beads
• Loop the wire back around itself so that a loop is created pull it so all beads are firm on the wire and so that the wire is pulled across to begin the next loop starting on the right (when head is facing away from you).

step 9 - 3rd body loop

• Thread on 5 of your smaller (6mm) beads
• Next add 2 of your larger (8mm) beads
• Add 2, 3 or 4 feature beads (use the same number as you did on previous loops) or tail feathers
• add 2 larger (8mm) beads
• add 5 of your smaller (6mm) beads
• Loop the wire back around itself so that a loop is created pull it so all beads are firm on the wire and so that the wire is pulled across to begin the next loop starting on the right (when head is facing away from you).

step 10 - top/last/smallest body loop

• Thread on 4 of your smaller (6mm) beads
• Next add 1 of your larger (8mm) beads
• Add 2, 3 or 4 feature beads (use the same number as you did on previous loops) or tail feathers
• add 1 larger (8mm) beads
• add 4 of your smaller (6mm) beads
• Loop the wire back around itself so that a loop is created pull it so all beads are firm on the wire and so that the wire is pulled across to begin the next loop starting on the right (when head is facing away from you).

step 11 - finish

Secure the end of the wire so that your swan will not come updone (twist/tie wire) and cut of excess wire and squish your swan so that it is shaped properly now you are not working on it.

ingredients

Note this is a guideline only... you can create swans of different sizes by changing the number of beads. Make them crazy colours or create swans with unusual beads or your own quirky twists. The beads used may be round, faceted or odd shapes, it's up to you. The ingredients in this recipe will give you a place to start but seriously, you should go crazy and do your own thing if you get the urge.

• approx 1 metre of wire (possibly about 26-24 gauge - a bit more pliable than a paper clip and strong enough to mould and shape while laden with beads)
• 1 bead for the head (larger sized bead) - in this example, we'll assume the bead is about 8mm but you can vary the size. You can choose a feature bead for the head if desired.
• 15 larger sized beads - these may be the same as the bead you selected for the head - or may differ in colour, shape and size - in this example, we'll assume the bead is about 8mm (the same size as the bead you chose for the head) but you can of course vary this.
• At least 56 smaller sized beads - in this example, we'll assume the bead is about 6mm/2 sizes down but you can vary the size when you make your own.
• 1 tear drop shaped bead that threads from top to bottom which will be used as the beak.
• 18-22 feature beads for feathers - thin star, circles, ovals or flower shaped beads are great (if you find a thicker shaped bead, just reduce the number of beads used by at least half ie. 9-10 beads instead of 18) - These beads should be the largest beads and ideally should be about 12mm diameter.

NOTE Often you'll find beads in Lindcraft, Spotlight and many $2 shops (eg. Go-Lo, Cunninghams, Cheap as Chips, etc). Of course, you could also visit a local bead specialist shop.