DIY-Ornaments, Party Favors, Hostess Gifts
Fun to Make, Give Away, Keep

DIY-Ornaments on a JIG

The above pictures are some examples and ideas you can use when creating your own DIY-Ornaments.

The Bell, 5 Point Star, Gift Box and the Blue Heart were all made using a jig. We will start here.

To make these DIY-Ornaments you will need:
• Chain nosed pliers - needed for most jewelry projects. You could use tweezers but these pliers are easier on your hand muscles.
• Swarovski Bicone Crystals or another sparkling bead of your choice - seed beads, 4mm, 6mm and/or 8mm.*
• Ribbon
• Wire cutters
• Soft, pliable wire - just stiff enough to hold its shape after the beads are added (22 or 24 gauge)
• A jig (described below)
• Flat nosed pliers or rubber mallet

  *Important note about size - Keep your bead size proportional to the size of your DIY-Ornaments project - small beads for small projects and larger beads as the size increases.

  If you choose Swarovski Crystals, cost will be a factor. Those Austrians don't work cheap.

  You will need more small sized bead to finish a project and they may make your project more labor intensive.

  Larger beads will cost more but you will need less. So try to estimate your time and calculate your cost before you start.

  For more information on supplies for your DIY-Ornaments., go to Supplies and Where to Find Them
  

  

  
  
  

  Tools you will find helpful:
  DIY-Ornaments.

  Starting at top left
  • flat nosed pliers
  • chain nosed pliers
  • wire cutters
  • round nosed pliers

    Notice that the flat nosed pliers have a Teflon cover. This is not critical for the DIY-Ornaments we are making. They are there to protect wires from being scratched when making fine wire wrapped jewelry.

    For more information on Tools, see Tools in How to Make Hairpins.
    
    

    
    
    
    

    Jig
    

    A jig is a flat surface (metal, acrylic, wood, etc.) with uniformly placed holes in it. Pegs are placed in the holes and wire is wrapped around the pegs.

    Depending on the placement of the pegs, the wire can be shaped into jewelry components or any design of your choosing when making your DIY-Ornaments.

    To find out more about jigs, type “wire wrapping jig” into your favorite search engine. There is a ton of information on the web for commercial jigs, costing about $10.00 - $20.00, and there are even directions on how to make your own jig on a wooden block using nails, for those ambitious types.
    

    
    

    Wire
    In most cases your wire won't be showing. Do not spend a lot on it. Most sites carry a basic craft/art wire. You want it as pliable as possible ans still hold its shape, usually gauge 20 to 24. The picture above shows the difference between a 20 and 24 gauge wire.

    Copper is also cheap and easy to practice with. If you use clear or light colored beads, your wire may show through them, so, if this is important, choose a wire in compatible colors for your DIY-Ornaments.

    For more information on wires and gauges, see Wires in How to Make Hairpins.

    

    I've chosen to demonstrate how to make the bell shaped ornament. I hope you can see the outline made by the placement of the pegs. (Note the three top pegs to make a loop.)

  • Place your pegs in your jig.
    Use a cheap, easy to bend, thin wire to verify that the pegs are where you want them and the resulting design looks like it should (Pictured above jig). This wire is a 38 gauge, very fine generic brand.

  • When you are happy with the final product, wrap your wire of choice (I like soft, 24 gauge for Ornaments) around the pegs. Our DIY-Ornament project is small and light, so a heavier wire is not needed to support the bell form.

  • Another thing to consider when selecting a bead size is the shape of the curves or corners in the wire design made on the jig. Larger beads need larger curve and may not make it over a corner, especially if the wire is a 20 or 22 gauge. This shouldn't be a problem with the 24 gauge we are using as it is very pliable, even after tempering.
    

    

    Start
    

  • Bend the end of the wire, about 1/4 inch from the end, 90 degrees.
  • Place this "hook" in an empty hole in the jig, near your start point, to anchor your wire. (Pictured above)

    

    Wrapping the Wire
    

    Start at a point where you would like to place a loop or add a ribbon for hanging the ornament. Be sure to leave both ends long enough to easily wrap it around an adjacent wire to secure it.

    I started on the right, about where the jaws of the pliers are laying.
    • Anchor your wire.
    • Go directly left, over 4
    • Wrap the wire around 1, 2, and 3 to make the loop.
    • Go over the top of 4 again
    • Follow the bell shaped pattern down around 5 to 11, wrapping the wire on the inside or outside as needed.
    • Go up over 4 again
    • Leave tails long enough so closing the bell will be easy.

      

    • Gently remove the wire from the jig. Don't worry if the bell is a little out of shape, you will be able to make adjustments later.

    • Use the flat nosed pliers or rubber mallet to temper, gently tapping the wire to make it harder.

      

    • Trim any excessively long ends
    • Add your beads - Bend or knot the end that was used for the anchor so the beads cannot fall off. Start beading from the non bent end. beading.

      In the example bell above, I've added large gold seed beads** to the body of the bell, smaller dark brown seed beads to the bottom and a few 3 and 4 mm Swarovski Aurum(gold) and Dorado(dark brownish gold) crystal bicones for the bell's clapper.

      In the bell shown at the beginning of this page, all beads are 6 mm Swarovski Crystal bicones.

    • When all beads have been strung, cross the free end of the wire (close to where the beads stop) on a spot on the bell where the bell will end and the loop begins, above the #4 peg, closing the body of the bell.

    • Use your chain nosed pliers, grab the loose end and tightly wrap it around the wire on the body of the bell, pulling before and as you wrap to keep the beads together and wire loops tight. Wrapping the wire using the chain nosed pliers will give you more control and keep the wrap tight.

    • Cut off the tied/bent end and repeat closing the loop on the bell.

      **Seed beads are very small beads most commonly used in ornate bead weaving. They are usually glass but the cheaper ones can be plastic. Seed beads come in several sizes and shapes and every color imaginable. The come in handy as spacer beads and in many types of jewelry.

      FYI: When adding the seed beads to my bell, I discovered a cool trick. While shopping in a craft department I saw a "bead stringing machine, where, with the aid of 2 AAA batteries, a round bowl full of seed beads and a long curved needle, the beads would automatically string onto the needle when placed into the bowl of seed beads while the bowl turns.

      So I tried this, without the battery. I had the seed beads in a small square container. I bent the wire in a curve and with a scooping motion, just scooped up the beads. It was so simple. I covered the bell in less than 5 minutes.

      I don't know if this will work with other small beads but I'm sure going to try it.

      For more info on beads, go to Beads in How to Make Hairpins.

      

    • Cut off stray ends and bend your bell into shape, if necessary.

    • If needed or desired, add a bow to cover any exposed wires.

    • Also, you could omit the beaded loop, close the bell at the top and add a bow and ribbon loop with which to hang the ornament.

      CONGRATULATIONS!
      First DIY-Ornament Completed.
      
      

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      12 Spike Star
      DIY-Ornaments

      For demonstration purposes, I will show a 6 Spike Star. The directions are exactly the same for both.

      I am using 6 mm Swarovski Clear Crystal AB. You can create your own design using multiple colors and several sizes.

      Another option would be to string flexible beaded wire between the prongs/spikes for more of a snowflake look.

      And, of course, the ornament can be as large or as small as you want. Just measure your beads and and cut the wire appropriately.

      To make this DIT-Ornament, you will need:
      • Chain nosed pliers - needed for most jewelry projects. You could use tweezers but these pliers make life much easier.
      • Swarovski Bicone Crystals or another sparkling bead of your choice - seed beads, 4mm, 6mm and/or 8mm.
      • Ribbon
      • Wire cutterli>Round nosed pliers
      • 20 gauge craft wire
      • Clear, elastic beading cord, approximately 0.8 mm in diameter

        

        Since this DIY Ornament has to firmly hold its shape, I used 20 gauge wire. I also used a stronger, industrial strength wire cutter, even though this was a bit of an over-kill.

      • Cut 3 wires approximately 7 inches long for spikes to hold 7 - 6mm beads on each half. This will allow for, at least, an extra 3/4 inch on each side, for the end loops.

        

        To combine the 3 wires, at the center, I used clear elastic beading cord, diameter 0.8 mm.

      • Hold your wires together and, leaving about 3 inches, firmly wrap the elastic cord around them at the center about 2 times, gently pulling as you wrap.

      • Without releasing the tension, spread 1 wire away from the other 2 and wrap the elastic cord between these at the center 2 times..

      • Repeat with the remaining 2 wires.

      • Continue circling, a single time each between wires, until they feel secure.

      • The exact number of times you've wrapped the elastic cord between the wires is not important. What is important it that the center doesn't look bulky and the wires are secure.

      • If it looks bad, unwind and wrap it again, maybe with a little more tension.

        At this point, do not worry if your wires are sticking out in every direction or if they are unequal. Your cord should not be too tight that the wires will not move and we will flatten them out later.

      • When you are satisfied with your results, tie the loose ends of the elastic cord with Surgeon's Knot, this time pulling very tightly. See Knots for a review of Square and Surgeon's Knots.

      • Make 2 knots if necessary, and/or add 1 drop of clear jewelry glue.
        
        
        
        

        Picture Top Left - Add beads to the wire
        Picture Top Right - Use your round nosed or chain nosed pliers and grab the end of the wire about 3/4 inch from where the beads end.
        Picture Bottom Left - Twist, from your wrist, bending the wire into a loop.
        Picture Bottom Right - If you don't complete the loop in one move, remove your pliers, clamp on the part of the wire in the partial loop closest to the beads and twist again. Bring the bottom of the loop into contact with the beads to keep them in place.

        Trim excess tail of wire with your wire cutters.

        Tips:
        • When you are finished with all 6 spikes, you can come back and straighten or slightly adjust these end loops to make them more uniform.

        • When adding beads and making your end loops to the first half of the star, keep in mind that the wires are not yet fixed in place. So be careful not to pull the wire too far and use more than 1/2 of it.

        • Avoid kinks. This wire is thicker and less pliable than the wire used on the jig and smaller beads will have trouble traversing kinks.

        • And again, at this point, do not worry if your wires are sticking out in every direction. But do care if they are unequal.
          

          

        • Repeat with the side opposite side of the first beaded spike. And then continue until all six sides are done.

        • Now is the time to straighten everything out. Lay the ornament on a flat surface and gently press on the wires, near the center, bending them into one plane. Turn the star over and press again. Continue until you are happy with the final product.

        • If desired, you can work with your loops to make them uniform.

          Caution- too much working of the metal will cause the wire to become brittle and break. But you have quite a bit of leeway here.

        • Pass a ribbon through one of the loops from which to hang the ornament.
          

          ---

          

          

          Mini Angel - DIY-Ornaments

        • Illusion cord is strung through your largest bead(1),
          and then up through the 2 dice beads for the wings(2).
          
        • When stringing the heart(3), you should have both ends of your illusion cord, one on each side. String the right end through the right side of the heart and the left end through the left(4), having them cross over each other inside the heart.
          Finally, bring the 2 ends together and up through the bottom of the rondell.

        • Tie the ends together securely. You will need to add something to the tied ends, a ribbon, a bead or plastic loop, so they don't fall back through the rondelle.
          
          

          Crystal Ball
          DIY Ornaments

          I've saved the best for last. This ornament is beautiful and easy to make.
          One draw back is that these DIY-Ornaments can be expensive.

          You'll need the following supplies to make this DIY-Ornament:

        • A Styrofoam ball or egg - use the smallest that your project can support due to the cost.Styrofoam cannot be glued or painted without degrading or melting, although I've just read that a stencil paint or one of the newer water based plastic paints will work.

          I did find a company, Plasteel Corporation that developed

          SmoothFoam a Styrofoam Alternative This product is more dense than Styrofoam and will hold pins firmly. You can paint it, cut it, sand it and if you are very careful, you can apply hot fix beads with a hot fix applicator.

          I highly recommend this.Your finished product as your finished ornament will be much more durable.

        • Sparkling beads. I used 6mm Swarovski Clear Crystal AB bicones. I lost count but I think the final number of beads was around 300. I replaced them today for approximately 13 cents apiece. (about $39.00 just for the beads - 12/2009) Alternative, cheaper beads are available if you search the web.
        • A nice piece of ribbon - 2 ft long.
        • Straight pins
        • Thimble - especially useful f you use the SmoothFoam brand.

          

          
          

          Crystal Ball
          DIY-Ornaments
          

        • Start with the ribbon - Tie a simple overhand knot about a third or half way down to form the loop.
        • Wrap the two loose ends around the ball and tie them together at the at the bottom. This will distribute the ornament's weight and the pins around the loop won't pop out when its hung.
        • Secure ribbon with beaded pins.

          

          
          

          Crystal Ball
          DIY-Ornaments
          

          Continue adding beads to the ball.

          Handle your beads as little as possible to avoid smudgy finger prints.

          Don't rearrange the location of your beads too often. Puncturing the Styrofoam ball multiple times will cause larger holes and the pins won't hold.(Here again I recommend SmoothFoam over Styrofoam)

          '

          
          

          
          

          Crystal Ball
          DIY-Ornaments
          

          Continue adding beads until the ball is completely covered.

          Finish off the ornament with a small bow, if you like.

          GOOD LUCK with your DIY-Ornaments. I hope these instructions were helpful!
          
          

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