How to Make Beaded Glassware

Beaded glassware adds a designer touch to any table. You can create your own beaded glassware easily with colorful stones and wire from your local craft store. Even though the glassware is called "beaded," you do not actually use beads to create it. Look for clear glass serving dishes, cake plates, butter dishes and vases that you can embellish with whimsical designs. You'll be amazed at how simple it is to transform plain glassware you can find at any discount store into an original work of art.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flat-backed cabochons
• Glassware
• Jeweler's glue
• Soldering wire
• Wire cutters
• Round nose pliers

1. Glue flat-backed cabochons onto the sides of a cake plate or other serving dish or beneath the rim of a glass plate. The rule "less is more" applies here as you will be further embellishing the colorful glass with wire. Leave at least 3 inches between each cabochon so you'll have room for the wire. Jeweler's glue is a good choice for this project as it dries clear and creates a tight bond. Allow the adhesive to dry.

2. Cut a 1-foot length of soldering wire. Soldering wire is a good choice to make beaded glassware as it is soft enough to manipulate with your hands and it holds its shape well.

3. Make a spiral at one end of the wire. You can begin your spiral by holding the wire at the tip with round nose pliers and then twisting it into a tight spiral shape with your hands. Your spiral will become larger with each turn: make it as large or as small as you like, but leave enough wire to wrap around a cabochon bead and still have at least 2 inches between the bead and the spiral.

4. Shape the end of the wire opposite from the spiral to fit around a cabochon on your glassware. Shape the center section of wire in an S shape with the spiral on one side and the bead on the other.

5. Glue the wire onto the glassware with jeweler's glue. Manipulate the wire so that it lays flat around the bead. Let the adhesive dry. Continue to decorate your glassware with wire spirals and strips around each of the cabochons.

References

• About Jeweler's Glue

Resources

• How to Make a Wire Spiral
• Examples of Beaded Glassware