Make a Beaded Spider for Jewelry or Decoration
This beaded spider is an ideal Halloween decoration or traditional Christmas tree ornament. Large spiders make great pins and pendants, while smaller ones can be used as earrings, rings, and accents on purses and hairpins.
Beaded Spider Overview
The beaded spider project is great for kids (with adult supervision when cutting wire) or is a fun introduction to the art of beading with wire. You should be able to complete a beaded spider within a few minutes, if you make a simple spider, or perhaps an hour, if you use a lot of beads and make a highly-decorated spider.
Beaded Spider Materials
Seed Beads (Optional): Use for eyes and beaded legs
Two Different Size Beads: Head and Body
Stringing Material: I used wire so I could pose my spider, but you can use nylon monofilament or other stringing material. If you use beads with large holes, you could use pipecleaners and bend them, to make the project easier for kids to do and to eliminate the need to cut the wire.
Wire Cutters
Round Nose Pliers
Two Different Size Beads: Head and Body
Stringing Material: I used wire so I could pose my spider, but you can use nylon monofilament or other stringing material. If you use beads with large holes, you could use pipecleaners and bend them, to make the project easier for kids to do and to eliminate the need to cut the wire.
Wire Cutters
Round Nose Pliers
Find Beaded Spider Materials Online
Craft Wire Workshop (Pk/6)
String beads, make trim, wrap or use to accent cra more...0 points
28 Gauge Beading Wire - 50yds/Silver
This high-quality beading wire is great for making more...0 points
24 gauge beading wire - 4 spools
New package of 4 spools of 24 yards each of 24 gau more...0 points
Alex Giant Bead Box - 10" X 14" Box of Beads and Findings
A super-sized box of beads and accessories with ev more...0 points
Bead Blast Gift Box
Makes 40+ cool bead designs! The two handy sorting more...0 points
Beaded Spider Step 1:
You will need two beads, one for the body and one for the head. I have used two crystals (10 mm and 6 mm), but you can use pearls, rounds, bright polymer clay beads, or any beads that strike your fancy. Will your spider have eyes? I gave this spider 4 eyes (or 2 eyes and 2 fangs), but your spider could be completely different! After you select your beads, string them onto the wire (still attached to the spool) in this order: body, head, eyes. Choose a wire that is thin enough to fit through your beads, but wide enough to be strong. I used 24 ga dead soft wire (any craft wire you get will be soft). Half-hard would work, but full-hard may be too stiff to bend. Beaded Spider Step 2:
If you have beads for eyes, wrap the free end of the wire below the beads to form a loop. Wrap the wire a second time to secure it and cut it flush. Use pliers to push any sharp edges into toward the head bead. If your wire is thin enough, you can twist the wire together under the eyes and then hide the ends inside the body. Use the same technique for 2 or 3 eyes. If you don't want eyes, you could use a long head pin instead of wire. Beaded Spider Step 3:
I wanted to use the same wire for the legs that I had used for the spider, so I went ahead and cut my wire, leaving several inches below the body bead. If you are using different wire for the legs, you may prefer to keep your spider on the spool of wire until you are ready to finish it. Learn to Make More Creations with Beads and Wire
Beads and Wire: Jewelry and Decorative Items for the Home
Amazon Price: $13.46 (as of 11/23/2009) 
Links: Inspired Bead and Wire Jewelry Creations
Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 11/23/2009)
Bead & Wire Jewelry for Special Occasions
Amazon Price: $10.79 (as of 11/23/2009)
Dazzling Bead & Wire Crafts
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/23/2009)
Geckos & Other Bead Animals
Amazon Price: (as of 11/23/2009)
Beaded Spider Step #4:
Cut 4 lengths of wire to form the legs. My pieces are each about 6" long (which is more than I needed). Thicker wire makes stronger legs, but it also makes it harder to wrap the legs between the head and body beads. Select a wire thickness in keeping with the overall size of your spider (I prefer 22 or 24 ga). You won't be able to use thick wire if you have small head and body beads. For small spiders, you may want to use 2 wires to make 4 legs (it still looks like a spider). Grasp all 4 wires together at their middle and wrap them once around the wire between the head and body beads. Pull tightly to snug the wrap around the main wire. Beaded Spider Step #5:
You can arrange the wires as legs and cut them to the desired length or you can add beads to them. I'm a bead addict and I like to add seed beads and sometime short bugles to the legs. To bead the legs, add the beads in your choice of pattern and length, push them securely against the body, and then make a loop or simply bend the end of the wire back from the last bead. I like to make loops because they give me more points from which to hang the spider. More Bead & Wire Projects
If you enjoye making this bead and wire spider, you may want to give some of my other bead and wire projects a try.-
Make Beaded Bobby Pins
-
Make your own beaded bobby pins or barrettes. All it takes is a few beads, some wire, and the pins/barrettes to make bejeweled creations worthy of becoming heirlooms! Beaded bobby pins are great for weddings, formal events such as the prom, gifts, or...
-
Make Bead and Wire Flower Hair Jewelry
-
This bead and wire flower is very easy to make and looks gorgeous in your hair. You can make vary the size, shape, and number of petals to make flowers for hair pins, bobby pins, pendants, pins, and more.
-
Make Bejeweled Hair Spirals
-
These delicate-looking hair accessories are easy to make! Sprinkle them in upswept hair for weddings, prom, or other special events, or twist in a few above a ponytail for a more casual look. All you need is a bit of wire and a rhinestone, pearl, or...
Beaded Spider Step #6:
Here is my spider with all 8 legs beaded. I pushed the spider down toward the finished end and made a wrapped loop below the body bead. These spiders look great with clear monofilament attached to the loop. If your legs are long enough, you can run monofilament through their ends to give your spider the appearance of spinning a web. Beaded Spider Step #7:
Here's another spider, this time with 2 eyes and unbeaded legs. This spider was made using 26 gauge enameled green wire. This spider doesn't have any loops. Spiders with no loops work well attached to a pinback or onto a barrette (watch those legs!). If your wire ends are sharp, use a cup burr or file to smooth the ends.My kids were fascinated by this project, so I gave them pipe cleaners (chenille craft wires) and acrylic crystals and let them make their own spiders. It's a great family project, but do be sure to use care when cutting your wire. Please feel free to send me pictures of spiders you make using these instructions (jewelrymaking@allinfoabout.com) and I will place them in a gallery for everyone to admire.
Video of Making a Beaded Spider
This is a nice example of a bead and wire spider that you can make. This video demonstrates how to use tools to complete your spider.
curated content from YouTube
Sign the Beaded Spider Guestbook!
submit
-
Reply
- Michelle T Michelle T Oct 11, 2009 @ 11:07 pm
- I need a "spider" for my daughter's Halloween modeling photoshoot. I've been trying to figure out something pretty that wouldn't break the bank. These are perfect!!!!!
-
Reply
- Shelley Weber Shelley Weber Jul 29, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
- Perfect little craft for me to have several different pins...Its so fun to be able to "play" with my name.
-
Reply
- colleen colleen Jun 17, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
- first pretty spiders ive ever seen i think ill try my hand at them lol thank you
-
Reply
- StephanieB-Writer StephanieB-Writer May 31, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
- These will be great at Halloween! I'm going to favorite it for then.
-
Reply
- Mortira Mortira Jan 11, 2009 @ 12:55 am
- Great tutorial! Welcome to the Beads and Jewels group!
- Load More
by Azareal
Hi. I'm Dr. Anne Helmenstine, scientist, author, and mom. I write and edit About.com's Chemistry Website, which covers general chemistry, science proj... (more)
Explore related pages
How to Make Beaded Snowflakes- Beaded snowflakes are fun to make! You don't need any beading experience to make...
The Sage's Cupboard Beaded Jewelry- Handmade beaded jewelry is a popular choice for anyone who wants quality, one of...
Make Beaded Earrings Using the Coraling Technique- These lacy earrings look like coral or frost. The branched fringe or coraling be...
How to Make a Beaded Spiral Rope Chain- This easy beading stitch results in a flexible rope of beads. The spiral rope lo...
Make Beaded Stars or Mandala- Beaded stars or mandalas make great pendants or earring or even holiday ornament...
Bead a Crystal Flower Ring- This beaded ring is very easy to make and looks stunning. Crystal bicone beads f...
