Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
This tutorial will teach you how to make a sparkling wreath decoration with crystal berries, as seen with my drum finish of Stacy Nash's Wonderful Life chart.
The kits for Wonderful Life will be available on Tuesday, July 9 at 8:15 am PDT at katie-strachan.com/shop
The practical instruction (after the introduction and overview of materials used) begins at 14:50
Supplies needed:
Glue: tacky glue or archival PVA, and toothpick for application
wire cutters and pliers
Inexpensive scissors
Your thread of choice for wrapping - I am using DMC 936
Multiple gauges of wire - I have silver tone craft wire in 20, 24, and 28 gauge
For berrries:
Round beads, 6-8 mm in size
Small sequins for cap
15/0 seed beads for cap
28 gauge wire
Details on items I used:
I like the Apex scissors for all purpose (non silk) cutting: hoopandframe.com/products/apex-scissors?variant=43947866161402¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwgpCzBhBhEiwAOSQWQXfm953ScfmQcvEbRFRTQdmJ6VxGmrxMq6WBxUtquVQTsCTMslH9gxoC-5EQAvD_BwE
I used 12 6mm rounds in Crystal Moonlight, and 11 8mm rounds. You can find Crystal Moonlight rounds here, although non crystal beads will be much less expensive: artbeads.com/prestige-color-moonlight
2mm sequins, color Bailey's: bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/product/small-sequin-dm2-05-baileys
Miyuki 15/0 seed beads, 15-1882 dark topaz gold luster: caravanbeads.com/p/2999-15-1882-15/0-Dk-Topaz-Gold-Luster-Like-DB-115-Miyuki-Seed-Bead.aspx
My drum is displayed on a small pedestal from Amazon: amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSWROP8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The specific leaves I sourced were from a local grocery store (Draeger's, if you're in the Bay Area) that has a large floral department with good fakes. I had trouble finding quality greenery, especially out of season.
Crystal pearls come in a variety of colors, make for excellent berries, and are less expensive than the crystals: artbeads.com/prestige-article-5810-round-crystal-pearls
Fire Mountain Gems is an excellent online source for many different types of beads - please tag me on Instagram @kstrachanembroidery with the variations you come up with!
Wire brands I have used are Artbeads Designer Wire (their house brand), Bead Landing (Michaels' house brand) and Beadsmith (widely available at beading stores and on Amazon)
This tutorial will teach you how to make a sparkling wreath decoration with crystal berries, as seen with my drum finish of Stacy Nash's Wonderful Life chart.
The kits for Wonderful Life will be available on Tuesday, July 9 at 8:15 am PDT at katie-strachan.com/shop
The practical instruction (after the introduction and overview of materials used) begins at 14:50
Supplies needed:
Glue: tacky glue or archival PVA, and toothpick for application
wire cutters and pliers
Inexpensive scissors
Your thread of choice for wrapping - I am using DMC 936
Multiple gauges of wire - I have silver tone craft wire in 20, 24, and 28 gauge
For berrries:
Round beads, 6-8 mm in size
Small sequins for cap
15/0 seed beads for cap
28 gauge wire
Details on items I used:
I like the Apex scissors for all purpose (non silk) cutting: hoopandframe.com/products/apex-scissors?variant=43947866161402¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwgpCzBhBhEiwAOSQWQXfm953ScfmQcvEbRFRTQdmJ6VxGmrxMq6WBxUtquVQTsCTMslH9gxoC-5EQAvD_BwE
I used 12 6mm rounds in Crystal Moonlight, and 11 8mm rounds. You can find Crystal Moonlight rounds here, although non crystal beads will be much less expensive: artbeads.com/prestige-color-moonlight
2mm sequins, color Bailey's: bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/product/small-sequin-dm2-05-baileys
Miyuki 15/0 seed beads, 15-1882 dark topaz gold luster: caravanbeads.com/p/2999-15-1882-15/0-Dk-Topaz-Gold-Luster-Like-DB-115-Miyuki-Seed-Bead.aspx
My drum is displayed on a small pedestal from Amazon: amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSWROP8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The specific leaves I sourced were from a local grocery store (Draeger's, if you're in the Bay Area) that has a large floral department with good fakes. I had trouble finding quality greenery, especially out of season.
Crystal pearls come in a variety of colors, make for excellent berries, and are less expensive than the crystals: artbeads.com/prestige-article-5810-round-crystal-pearls
Fire Mountain Gems is an excellent online source for many different types of beads - please tag me on Instagram @kstrachanembroidery with the variations you come up with!
Wire brands I have used are Artbeads Designer Wire (their house brand), Bead Landing (Michaels' house brand) and Beadsmith (widely available at beading stores and on Amazon)
