Beaded Monogram Tutorial

Beads are typically not my medium of choice. I guess, if push comes to shove, felt is my favorite material to work with. So, when I learned my first craft challenge in One Crafty Contest was beads, I was definitely outside of my comfort zone. Being the frugal minded {cheap} person I am, I hit the thrift store and found a beautiful vintage silk wrapped beaded necklace and inspiration struck.

Supplies:
BEADS!  Any kind or color will work.  I selected a few {each were $1, in the end, the Tiffany blue beads won me over}
Floral Stem Wire {I tried a hanger, which equally a fail and I tried some electrical wire, which resulted in my cutting my finger open, learn from my mistake and get some floral wire}
Galvanized wire 28 gauge, color silver {really any kind of really bendy wire will work}

Take your necklace apart.  Keep your eyes open for the beads that want to roll away.  Maybe it's just that my house is more slanted than most, almost all my beads tried to escape.  Bend your floral stem wire into the shape of your desired letter.

Cut your galvanized wire, longer than you think you might need.  Wrap the wire several times around the end, to secure it in place and then begin to weave the beads.

With the addition of each new bead, tightly pull the wire and wrap around the floral stem twice to secure the bead in place.

When all of your beads are in place, cut some addition galvanized wire {approximately 2 inches}.  Form it into a loop shape and wrap around the floral stem, between your beads, where you think it will allow your letter to hang evenly.

String some ribbon through your loop.

Hang, display and admire.

Gee...don't you think just about everything is better in the shade of Tiffany blue?  

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