How to Make Handmade Tiaras
A tiara makes a wonderful accessory for a blushing bride or an aspiring princess and can be easily made at home with just a handful of supplies. All it takes is just a little technique along with some jewelry wire, crystal beads and thin headbands. By looping beaded wire around a thin headband in a series of arches, you can create your own custom headpiece, a unique princess party favor or a beautiful accessory for a Halloween princess costume.
Things You'll Need
- 20 gauge silver wire
- Wire cutters
- Tape measure
- Clear crystal beads in various sizes
- Thin satin silver headband
- Glue gun
- String
Instructions
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1
Measure out four feet of wire and cut off the end of the wire using your wire cutters.
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2
Measure the headband to locate the top center point of the headband and tie a string ½ inch on either side of the center mark. This will define the parameters of what will become the center arch of your tiara. The end goal is to create seven arches in succession, in varying heights and widths, that will be centered at the top of the headband.
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3
Measure out your surrounding arches and mark the boundaries with tied string to help guide your wire wrapping later. Tie string measurements that include three arches (1-inch wide) at the center of the tiara and surround them on each side by two small arches, measuring 1/2 inch wide. You should now have seven arches marked in total--three large arches at the center and four small arches at the perimeter.
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4
Locate the string mark on the left side of the headband. This is where the design starts. Glue the end of the wire underneath, perpendicular to the headband, and allow the glue to dry.
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5
Thread the wire with small beads and loop the wire around the headband, forming two 1/2-inch tall mini arches, ending each arch by looping the wire tightly around the arch boundaries as defined by your string marks. Continue to add beads as necessary to fill the wire.
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6
Thread the wire with alternating medium-sized and large-sized beads for the next three arches.
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7
Loop an arch 1-inch tall, always ending each individual arch by looping tightly around the headband at your next string mark, and following with a 1.5-inch tall arch, and a third 1-inch tall arch.
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8
Remove all large- and medium-sized beads after you have wrapped the last large arch and created another two 1/2-inch tall mini arches.
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9
Wrap the end of the wire tightly underneath the headband and glue it perpendicular to the underside of the headband.
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10
Allow the glue to dry and cut off any excess wire at the end of the headband with wire cutters. Remove all string marks from the headband.
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Tips & Warnings
You may add glue underneath your wire loops, on the underside of the headband, for extra support.
Verify that your beads will string onto your wire before purchasing.
When incorporating larger beads onto the wire, avoid threading beads on the portion of the wire that loops underneath the headband.
Crystal beads should not be used in children’s accessories.
Always point wire away from your eyes when cutting.
References
- Photo Credit tiara image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
