Donna Hanna shows you how to craft a crystal branch barrette to wear as a fashion accessory!
Instructions
STEP 1:
Disassemble the barrette and set aside the middle piece and the clasp. You will work with the barrette base.
STEP 2:
Cut a comfortable length of 30 gauge craft wire. Note: avoiding kinks in the wire is more important than completing the project with one length of wire.
STEP 3:
Anchor one end of the wire to the barrette base. The long end of the wire should be coming out the top of the barrette base near one end.
STEP 4:
Trim the short end of the wire and use chain nose pliers to secure it closely to the barrette base on the top.
STEP 5:
Begin by creating the twisted wire branches. Add one Crystal Bicone to the wire, fold wire and twist close to crystal.
STEP 6:
Repeat Step 5 alternating sides of the barrette base until you have worked down to the other end of the barrette base.
STEP 7:
If desired, repeat Step 5 to add a second layer of crystal branches.
STEP 8:
Tuck in the wire end and trim close to the barrette base.
STEP 9:
Take a second length of wire and secure it to one end of the barrette base.
STEP 10:
Cover the base of the barrette by stringing crystals on the wire and wrapping the wire around the barrette base.
STEP 11:
Continue until you have worked down to the other end of the base.
STEP 12:
Make a second pass over the base of the barrette end repeating Steps 10 and 11 to fill in the places where the barrette base is still visible.
STEP 13:
Tuck in the wire end and trim close to the barrette base. Reassemble the barrette.
STEP 14:
PROJECT TIP: Begin and end wire-wrapping on the top of the barrette base to avoid sharp ends. Cover the barrette base with bicone crystals once the branches have been created.