Snowflake ornaments built on lataperle (wired center beads) are some of our most favorite ornaments.  With only a few different bead styles you can create a stunning and unique design in just a handful of minutes.  The only tool needed is a pair of rosary pliers for cutting and bending wire ends to secure beads on the lataperle branches.  Below we illustrate the simple technique for building 6-branch snowflakes as well as highlight 12 variations with links to specific beads used.  Finished styles measure approximately 4" to 5" across.  Let's begin!

Supplies:

6-branch Lataperle

Hooks

Spacer Beads

Glass Beads (fancy, round, drop, faceted, etc.)

Rosary Pliers (needle nose pliers with a wire cutter)

Step 1: Straighten the 4 fixed branches of the lataperle.  String on desired beads in chosen order plus a spacer bead.

Step 2: Leaving about 3/8" of wire above the spacer bead, use the rosary pliers to trim away any excess wire.  Use the rosary pliers to gently form a loop with the 3/8" of wire to secure the beads onto the wire.

Step 3: Continue adding beads, trimming excess wire and forming end loops for the remaining five fixed branches.

Step 4: Straighten the long piece of wire that will form branch 5 and 6 of the snowflake.

Step 5: Use the rosary pliers to form a loop at one end of the straightened wire.

Step 6: String beads on in the reverse order to form the bottom snowflake branch.

Step 7: Guide the wire through the center hole of the lataperle.  Next string the remaining beads onto the wire in the appropriate order.

Step 8: Make sure wire is positioned well.  Using rosary pliers, trim away excess wire leaving about 3/8" and form a loop as before.

Step 9: Use the rosary pliers to open the looped end of a hook, place it in the loop formed in Step 8, and close it to secure.

Variations: The snowflakes below feature just 4 or 5 bead styles per branch.  Color and bead shape set the tone for each design: blues and silvers give an icy effect while reds, golds and pinks lend a warm and sometimes floral effect. 

Below left: Bold and beautiful red tones give this snowflake an almost poinsettia-like look.  Use 6 amber spacer beads + 6 pink 6mm round + 6 burgundy 8mm round + 6 red GB004 + 6 gold 6mm round + gold lataperle + gold hook.

Below center left: Blues and aqua and at once both icy and brilliant.  Use 6 clear spacer beads + 6 blue 6mm round + 6 pearl blue 8mm round + 6 aqua GB004 + 6 blue 6mm round + silver lataperle + silver hook.

Below center right: A classic snowflake shape is achieved with flower shaped beads as the focus.  Use 6 amber spacer beads + 6 pearl blue 6mm faceted + 6 light purple 8mm round + 6 gold GB013 + 6 pearl blue 10mm round + gold lataperle + gold hook.

Below right: Alternating central beads in pearl teal and light green add depth and interest to this design.  Use 6 clear spacer beads + 6 aqua 6mm faceted + 6 light green 8mm round + 6 matte palest yellow GB013 + 6 (3 light green, 3 pearl teal) 10mm round + silver lataperle + silver hook.

Below left: Deep blue tones add drama and depth to this beauty.  Use 6 clear spacer beads + 6 light green 6mm round + 6 blue GB050 + 6 pearl teal 10mm round + silver lataperle + silver hook.

Below center left: Changing colors creates a completely different look to its left hand neighbor.  Use 6 amber spacer beads + 6 burgundy 6mm round + 6 gold GB050 + 6 pink 10mm round + gold lataperle + gold hook.

Below center right: One of our favorites ~ an icy toned deco style featuring smooth and faceted beads.  Use 6 clear spacer beads + 6 aqua faceted 6mm + 6 silver GB284 faceted drops + 6 pearl blue GB036 + 6 light green 10mm round + silver lataperle + silver hook.

Below right: Once again, changing colors creates a different look.  Use 6 amber spacer beads + 6 gold faceted 6mm + 6 silver GB284 faceted drops + 6 pearl fuchsia GB036 + 6 pearl rose pink 10mm round + gold lataperle + gold hook.

Below left: A classic mix of gold, silver, pink and teal give this style a beautiful retro look.  Use 6 amber spacer beads + 6 pearl blue 6mm round + 6 pearl teal GB226 drops + 6 + 6 (3 gold, 3 pearl fuchsia) 8mm round + gold lataperle + gold hook.

Below center left: Muted tones give an icy look to this snowflake.  Use 6 clear spacer beads + 6 light green 6mm round + 6 pearl blue GB226 drops + 6 gold GB075 + 6 silver 8mm round + silver lataperle + silver hook.

Below center right: Bright and bold tones give this snowflake a completely different look.  Use 6 amber spacer beads + 6 burgundy 6mm round + 6 hot pink GB226 drops + 6 red GB075 + 6 burgundy 8mm round + gold lataperle + gold hook.

Below right: A mix of all smooth round beads in complimentary tones create a gorgeous design.  Use 6 amber spacer beads + 6 brown 6mm round + 6 gold 14mm round + 6 pearl rose pink 18mm round + 6 gold 8mm round + gold lataperle + gold hook.