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Instructions for a sparkling bead heart

A heart made of beads always works – whether as a pendant, earring, centrepiece for a bracelet or simply as a small decoration. In these instructions, I will show you how to build up the heart bead by bead until the shape sits perfectly. It works best if you work relaxed and enjoy the beading.

Difficulty level & prerequisites

  • Difficulty level Medium. You will need basic knowledge of beadwork.

  • Important: Work at your own pace – with calm and joy, the heart will turn out most beautiful.

Required materials (for one heart)

  • 26 fire-polished, double-cone, oval beads (per heart - depending on which bead you use in the design) = B

  • 52 - 54 seed beads (or an equivalent smaller bead) = A

  • approx. 100 cm of fine thread, e.g. Wildfire or S-Lon Fire (∅ 0.15 mm)

  • 2 needles size #12

  • Scissors or thread burner

  • Title
    • Cut off enough thread
    • Place the beads in "Step 1" nicely centred on the thread

Buy the complete SET now

And here's how it's done:

Step 1

 

Thread from left to right onto the thread: 1 A, 1 B, 1 A, 1 B, 1 A, 1 B. (The first A is marked in pink in the images.)

Step 2

 

Pass the left thread end through the last threaded B so that the thread ends cross in this bead and the beads sit in the middle of the thread piece. Pull tight.

 

The thread end that points towards the centre of the flower we call thread end Y.
The thread end that lies on the outer edge of the flower we call thread end Z.
 

(For simplicity: since the thread ends constantly "swap" when crossing, simply orient yourself by the shape: inside = Y, outside = Z.)

Step 3

 

Thread onto thread end Y: 1 A.
Thread onto thread end Z: 1 A, 1 B, 1 A, 1 B.
 

(From now on, the newly added beads are marked in grey in the images.)

Step 4

 

Pass thread end Y through the most recently added B (the last B on Z), so that the thread ends cross in this B. Pull tight.

Step 5

 

Repeat steps 3 & 4 another three times (3×). You work anticlockwise around the flower. At the end, your piece should look like the reference image.

Step 6

 

Thread onto thread end Y: 1 A. Thread onto thread end Z: 1 A, 1 B.

Step 7

 

Pass thread end Y through B bead no. 1, string 1 A, and then pass Y through the last B (no. 12) that was added on thread end Z – the thread ends cross in this B. Pull tight.

Step 8

 

String onto thread end Z: 1 A, 1 B.
String onto thread end Y: 1 A, 1 B, 1 A.

Step 9

 

Pass thread end Y through B bead no. 13, so that the thread ends cross in this bead. Pull tight.

Step 10

 

Repeat Step 3 & 4, this time clockwise around the flower:

  • On Y: 1 A
  • On Z: 1 A, 1 B, 1 A, 1 B
  • Pass Y through the last B and cross the thread ends      in this B.

Repeat the whole thing three times (3×) in total. At the end, your piece should look like the reference image.

Step 11

 

Onto:

  • Y: 1 A
  • Z: 1 A, 1 B

Step 12

 

Pass Y through B bead no. 14, string 1 A, then through the last B (no. 23) on Z – cross the thread ends in this B. Pull tight.

Step 13

 

Again Step 3 & 4 (counter-clockwise):

  • On Y: 1 A
  • On Z: 1 A, 1 B, 1 A, 1 B
  • Pass Y through the last B, cross the thread ends.
  • Pull tight.

Step 14

 

Onto:

  • Y: 1 A
  • Z: 1 A, 1 B

Step 15

 

Pass Y through B bead no. 10, string 1 A, then through the last B (no. 26) on Z – cross the thread ends. Pull tight.

Step 16

 

Thread onto thread end Z: 3 A.

Step 17

 

Pass Z through the other 3 A as shown. Pull tight.
 

Pass through the beads as many times as the holes allow (without damaging them).
 

To finish: tangle the thread somewhere around this circle, as hidden as possible, finish on the back. Cut off and secure the end so that it does not get in the way later.

Step 18

 

Thread onto thread end Y: 4 A.

Step 19

 

Pass Y through the other 2 A as shown. Pull tight.

 

Repeat as many times as possible, and end the last pass in the most recently added A.

Step 20

 

Pass Y through B bead no. 24. 

 

Thread onto Y: 3 A.

Step 21

 

Pass Y through the other 3 A as shown. Pull tight.
Go through several times if possible.
 

To finish as in step 17: wrap the thread hidden around the circle, finish at the back, cut off and secure.

Step 22

 

Done! Attach the hearts, e.g. with a jump ring, a bail – or creatively in another way.

Step 22

 

Finished! Attach the hearts, e.g. with a jump ring, a bail - or get creative in another way.

Alternative

 

You can make a loop to attach a jump ring or a bail. To do this, create the circle of seed beads in the same way as the other circles. Simply weave the thread in at the top, add two seed beads and finish another circle of six seed beads.

Tip

If you make a second heart and work beads into the edge between the layers, you can weave the two hearts together and make a 3D pendant!

Matching DIY jewellery kits for your bead heart

Everything included, you can start right away! In the DIY kits you will find the matching beads and components for your bead heart project. Choose your favourite heart, add it to your basket and you're ready to go.
DIY Schmuck - Kit „Noir Aurora“ – Statement - Ohrringe - PerlineBeads SA

DIY jewellery kit "Noir Aurora" – statement earrings

CHF 12.50
DIY Schmuck - Kit „Herzblüte“ – Halsreif mit 3D - Herz - PerlineBeads SA

DIY jewellery kit "Herzblüte" – necklace with 3D heart

CHF 19.50
DIY Ohrringe - Kit „Rubinfunkeln“ – Rot & Silber - PerlineBeads SA

DIY earring kit “Rubinfunkeln” – red & silver

CHF 15.40

Colour variations & inspiration

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