Things You'll Need:
- 1 - 8mm crystal/glass beads with pre-drilled holes
- 18 gauge round wire (again - your choice)
- wire cutters
- files
- round nosed pliers
- flat nosed pliers
- bead crimper if you need for an alternative to the cross
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Step 1
First, you need to choose both the beads that you would like the cross to be made out of, and the wire that you would like to use. I put a suggestion in the "what you need" area, but you have to make the choice to your taste. Just MAKE sure you don't go with a wire that will not fit in the bead hole, or a bead that is just too large to work with. Browse your local craft stores or online, there is a wide variety of colors and designs for both beads and wire. Of course, I will give suggestions on size, but you should ultimately decide how large of a cross you are looking for. Buy extra of everything and experiment, that's the best practice. I am making a fairly medium-large sized cross. If you find it is too large, you can always trim in down at the end.
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Step 2
Cut 2 strands of wire, at least 5 inches each. Take both strands and, using your hands or the pliers if necessary, try to straighten out the wires as much as possible. Take one strand and a pencil. Loop the end of the wire around the pencil and curl it to make one loop at the tip of the wire. This will be your hanging loop to hang it on a necklace or as an ornament somewhere.
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Step 3
From the side opposite of the loop you just made, begin adding beads. Holding the wire upside down so the beads land on the loop, judge what you would like to be the size of the top half of the cross. Remember that the top half of the cross should have from 1-2 less beads than the bottom half (if the beads are all the same size.) Otherwise, use your judgement remembering that the top half of a cross is usually a bit shorter than the bottom half.
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Step 4
Once you have the top half beaded, continue to hold the wire loop down. Take the second wire strand and cross it over the first almost as the second strand's half way mark, right above the beads (I write above the beads, because you are holding the cross upside down right now.) Using your fingers if you can, or the pliers if you need, wrap the second strand around the first strand at the point that you had determined to be the crossroads of the cross. You can wrap it around once, or twice for a slightly more exotic look. Again, your taste will determine this.
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Step 5
Now that you have the cross mapped out, add beads to all ends of the cross until it is entirely beaded. Leave room on all the tree remaining ends to trim off excess wire. However, you must leave enough wire to make the smallest possible fold at the end to keep the wire soft and scratch free, while stopping up the beads so they don't slide off. You would do this by using the pliers to fold the smallest amount possible of the ends of the remaining 3 arms of the cross. Press the fold tightly around all sides of the fold trying to round and smooth it out as much as possible. You can use a variation of files to smooth the end out. **An alternative to this would be to use a crimp tube, again you would have to make sure the size and design is right for your style when you purchase the wire and beads. With the crimp tube, you would place the tube on the end of the wire, make as small or large of a loop as you wish in the end of the wire, and cover the loop as much as you would like with the crimp tube. You can then wrap the crimp tube in a cloth and use pliers to squeeze it tight to the wire, or use a bead crimper tool. See what you are comfortable with.
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Step 6
Play with this stuff!! There is no better way to learn. You can bead one entire strand of wire and make a large beaded loop for the top of your cross if you like that style. There are many variations, and knowing what you want is the best way to get there.
