Beaded Flower

The requests have been pouring in for a Beaded Flower Tutorial, and we are so pleased to bring you this one!

In this tutorial, we will teach you the concept of how to make a beaded flower, show you some inspiration for other bead combinations you can make using the same principles, and even break down a project that incorporates it!

Most important of all, you can be sure that the techniques we show are safe when assembled correctly! Sit back and grab that coffee! Let’s dig in!

Learn the Technique:

Below are the steps on how to assemble a beaded flower - the technique stays the same, regardless of what beads you pick out! Say you want to pair saucers and a round bead in the middle? No problem! Maybe rounds on the outside, and a hexagon in the middle? Sure, why not!

As long as you scale your supplies to accommodate for different bead widths, you can make a silicone beaded flower with almost any standard bead!

Supplies needed:

• 13 x 14mm Abacus Silicone Beads
• 1 x 19mm Round Silicone Bead
• 1 x 60” Nylon Cord
• Keyring & Clip
• Crafting Needle
• Lighter
• Scissors
• Pliers - can be purchased as a part of our Crafting Tool Set

Technique Step By Step Instructions:

1. To start, thread your keychain & clip onto your nylon cord, placing it in the middle of the length of cord.

2. Thread on 6 abacus beads onto one side of the keychain & clip, and 7 beads on the other side. Your keyring and clip should be in the middle of your abacus beads.

3. Tie a tight double knot.

4. Carefully thread your needle onto one end of the cording, and insert the needle through one of the beads beside your knot, pulling the knot into the middle of that bead. (You might need pliers to help pull the needle through.) You should now have a length of cord on either side of the bead.

5. Take the cord that is on the left side of the bead that is hiding your knot, and place your 19mm round bead onto the cord.

6. Insert the threaded 19mm round bead into the center hole of the flower, pulling the cord up and placing it between 2 of the abacus beads closest to the hole of the 19mm round bead. Pull tightly to help the cord fall deeper between the abacus beads. Thread your needle onto this working cord, and insert it into the next 2 abacus beads.

7. Take your other cord, and thread it onto your needle. Take the needle and insert it up into the next 3 abacus beads. This step aims to bring your cords together, so adjust the number of beads for the size or shape you’re using.

8. After your cords have been brought together, tie a tight double knot. This knot secures your center bead.

9. Thread your crafting needle and insert it up into the beads beside the knot. Pull the knot into the center of the bead beside it. This hides and secures your knot in the interior of a bead.

Next, thread your needle onto one of the cords, and insert it down into the neighboring beads to hide the cord. The number of beads that you use to hide your cord is up to you, but if your bead is narrow like an abacus or saucer, we suggest at least 2-3 beads. Repeat this step with the remaining length of cord, going in the opposite direction.

10. Trim the ends of both cords, and lightly fuse them to prevent the cord from fraying.

There you go! You’ve got the technique down! Now you can experiment!

No matter what type of beads you are using, always start with making the outer ring of the flower first, then insert the middle bead for the flower. Ensure your second knots are good and secure to keep that middle bead in position!

Once you’ve got the idea, the possibilities are endless! We couldn’t help ourselves, and we had to experiment! Here are some examples using different sizes and types of beads:

Example Project: Flower Baby Toy

Now that you know how to make a beaded flower, let’s work through a project! We’re breaking down how to make a Flower Baby Toy below!

Supplies Needed:

• 5 x 19mm Round Silicone Beads
• 16 x 15mm Round Silicone Beads
• 1 x 60” Nylon Cord
• Crafting Needle
• Scissors
• Lighter
• Pliers - can be purchased as a part of our Crafting Tool Set

Step By Step Instructions:

1. Take your cord, lightly melt the ends to make threading your beads easier. Thread on four 15mm beads and four 19mm beads, alternating sizes.

2. Place the beads in the center of the length of the cord and tie a tight double knot.

3. Thread your needle onto one of the ends of the cord, and carefully insert it into the 19mm bead beside the knot, pulling the knot into the center of the bead. You should now have a cord on either side of the 19mm round bead.

4. Take your remaining 19mm bead, and thread it onto one of your cords. Insert the 19mm bead into the center of your flower, pulling the cord across to the opposite side of the flower. Pull tightly to help the cord fall deeper between the two round beads. You should have 3 beads between your 2 cords.

5. Using the same working cord, thread your needle and insert it into the 15mm & 19mm bead towards your other cord. You should now only have one 15mm bead between your 2 cords.

6. Thread the opposite cord, and insert it down into the 15mm bead and the same 19mm bead you threaded the other cord in the previous step. The 19mm bead should now have had both cords cross through it. You should now have one cord on either side of the 19mm bead.

7. Thread six 15mm beads onto each of your cords. Tie a tight double knot and lightly fuse the knot.

8. Carefully thread your needle and insert it into one of the beads beside your knot, pulling the knot into the center of the bead. You should now have one cord on either side of your bead.

9. Continue to thread your needle up through the beads until you are able to join the two thread ends together again with another double knot. This makes the cord in the handle section double corded, adding security to your teething toy. Repeat step 8, hiding and securing this knot inside a neighbouring bead.

10. Trim both of your ends and lightly fuse the ends to prevent them from fraying.

And you've finished your adorable flower baby toy!

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning this technique with us! Be sure to try it out yourself! Feel free to leave us questions in the comments below and we’ll make sure to respond! Looking for a video tutorial of this technique? Let us know in the comments!

The options for making beautiful and delicate flowers are endless and we can’t wait to see what you make! Be sure to tag us on instagram using #createdwithcarasupply We love seeing your creativity! From all of us at Cara & Co,

Happy Crafting!

Xo

-the girls

*The products, materials, and supplies sold by Cara & Co. Silicone Craft Supply are intended for use by adults and should never be left unattended with a child.

***Small objects and beads can present choking hazards to young children. Never leave a child unattended with beads or other products. Always dispose of any damaged product. No product is completely indestructible, and fully formed teeth could potentially damage product if chewed aggressively, so responsible attentiveness is needed for any user or purchaser. Customers should always inspect and monitor their products, discontinuing use at the first sight of damage.

****Once our products have been sold and shipped to our customers, Cara & Co Silicone Craft Supply Inc., waives all responsibility and liability from the use of our products. Customers are responsible that their final products made from our supplies meet the appropriate safety requirements for their region. Our buyers understand that by purchasing our products or using suggestions from the above tutorial, the buyer assumes any and all responsibility and liability for the use of the products.

*****Cords, clasps and pacifier clips are not intended to be chewed on and may present choking hazards.