Snowflake Ornaments: Tips & Techniques

'Tis the season for snowflakes, both from nature and those from the imagination.  Snowflake ornaments are one of our most popular crafts.  They're simple, beautiful, good for all ages and fairly quick.  Wondering how to start?  Here are our tips for successful snowflake designs.

Snowflake ornament with pearls, gold and red beads

Work on a bead mat.  These are a soft fabric that doesn't shed and keeps beads from rolling off flat surfaces.  They're inexpensive and last for years.

If you're choosing your own beads, buy in multiples of 6 or 12 (the snowflakes have 6 spokes -- this allows for symmetrical designs).

Work on a bead mat to keep beads from rolling

Start each spoke with one or more size 11/0 seed beads (metal beads work great -- they have slightly larger holes than many glass beads).  This keeps your beads from "bumping" into each other by being further up the spoke when they are added.

Also, have bead stoppers or rubber earring backs on hand to keep beads on the spokes while you are designing.

Start each spoke with small beads like these size 11/0 metal seed beads, and use a bead stopper or rubber earring back at the ends to keep beads in place as you design

Don't forget to leave enough wire at the ends for turning -- at least 1/2 inch.

If you're working with very young children, have them finish one spoke at a time and turn the end before they begin the next spoke.

Finish each spoke by turning the end in a small loop

You can use any pliers to turn the ends of the spokes, but if you are making a lot of snowflakes you may want to invest in Round Hollow Pliers.  The indentation on one jaw of the pliers takes a lot of stress off your wrist when turning these hardened wires.

Round hollow pliers are a big help when turning the ends of a lot of snowflakes

Snowflakes are wonderful tree ornaments or window decorations.  But they are also lovely as package toppers, hostess gifts or teacher gifts.

We carry three sizes of snowflake forms: 4 1/2 inch; 6 inch and 9 inch.  Click HERE for a printable sheet of these tips.  Happy Snowflaking!

Besides decorating your own windows and tree, use snowflakes as package toppers, hostess gifts or teacher gifts

Snow Angel

Vintage Holiday

Light Rose Angel