The Basic Star is a great ornament to begin with if you're new to making glass bead ornaments.  It requires just a few beads and wire that is twisted and woven to yield a star ornament.  Three colorways are available as project kits that contain all necessary beads and wire to create one ornament.  Alternatively, create your own custom color combinations using the noted supplies and steps below.  Completed ornament measures about 2-1/2" across.  The illustrated steps below show the assembly of a project kit.

Supplies to make 1 ornament:

1 Basic Star project kit

Scissors

--OR--

28 gauge Wire (about 25 inches)

6 beads 10mm round

12 beads 4mm "5" bump

1 spacer bead

Skewer

Scissors

Step 1:

String 6 round beads onto wire near center.  Form beads into a circle and twist wires once to secure shape.

Step 2: String two bump beads onto one end of wire.  Slide beads down and bend wire between bump beads to form the first point of the star.  The first point sits above a round bead.  Weave wire through center of ornament and bring up to starting position to secure point in place, as shown below right.

Step 3: Continue adding bump beads and creating star points until 5 points have been made.

Step 4: Slide one bump bead onto each remaining wire.  Bring wires together and twist to form 6th star point.

Step 5: Slide a spacer bead over both wires and position at top of star point.

Step 6: With wires together, wrap wires around skewer just above spacer bead to create a loop hanger.  Wrap wires around themselves twice just below the skewer and above the spacer bead to secure.

Step 7: Trim excess wire ends with scissors to complete ornament.

Variations: This simple technique can be used to create scores of beautiful star ornaments.  A few of our favorites are below with links to beads used.

Top row:

Silver + Gold, Gold + Red and Silver + Red are all from project kits.

Middle Row:

Left: Red +Gold/Green/Pink --12 red bump beads + 2 hot pink round + 2 gold round + 2 lime green round + 1 clear spacer

Center: Matte White + Pink/Aqua -- 12 matte white bump beads + 3 aqua round + 3 pink round + 1 clear spacer

Right: Blue + Burgundy -- 12 blue bump beads + 6 burgundy round + 1 clear spacer

Bottom Row:

Left: Aqua + Silver/Light Green -- 12 aqua bump beads + 3 silver round + 3 light green round + 1 clear spacer

Center: Light Pink + Pearl Fuchsia -- 12 light pink bump beads + 6 pearl fuchsia round + 1 clear spacer

Right: Aqua + Gold -- 12 aqua bump beads + 6 gold round + 1 clear spacer

Tips and Notes:

-- Get a project kit to have an instruction sheet on hand -- the instructions in the kits are in Czech but the images are easy to follow. 

-- Be mindful of keeping your wire work orderly: not so tight that beads are stressed and break but not so loose that the ornament has poor form.

-- Take your color combinations to the next level! We stock tons of bead colors to create this style of ornament.  Whether you prefer tonal, traditional, soft, or monotone, you're sure to find a few beads that strike your fancy.