How to Make Beaded Flowers

Last Updated on December 16, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford

Making beaded flowers is simple, but requires concentration. They make great accessories for the home and body, and are lots of fun to make.

Beaded flowers come in all shapes and sizes. The amount of materials, the colors, and the styles will vary depending on what kind of flower you want to make, but the basic preliminary techniques remain the same.

Making beaded flowers is a simple craft project that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, but be warned, stringing all the beads requires concentration and patience.

Materials Needed to Make Beaded Flowers

• Beads of different colors and (if desired) shapes. Small seed beads are great for the main parts of the flowers with different shapes and sizes used for accents.
• 30-gauge galvanized wire (the size can vary, but make sure it’s thin enough to pass through the beads’ hole twice).
• Floral tape
• Wire cutters

How to Make Beaded Flowers

There are two main components to beaded flowers: the stamen and the petals.

How to Make Stamens

The best way to begin making beaded flowers is with the stamens, which will form the center part of the flower and the stem.

• Cut a long piece of wire (the length will depend on the overall size of the flower). All of the stamens will be threaded onto one piece of wire.
• Thread the wire through a few beads (let’s say 8) and then a few more of a different color (let’s say 5) that will form a small loop. Thread the wire back through the first 8 beads and pull it tight so that you have a stem with a loop at the end.
• Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stems and loops (stamens). When finished take the two wire ends and twist them together. These wire ends will make up the stem of the finished flower.

How to Make Petals

The petals will make up the bulk of the flower, and how many you need and the size will depend on the type of flower being made.

• Use one piece of wire for each individual petal. The beads will be strung in rows.
• String and center beads for the first two rows onto the wire.
• Take one end of the wire and string it back through the beads meant to be the second row and pull it tight. Take the other end of the wire and do the same thing.
• Continue adding rows of beads, threading both ends of the wire through each row.
• Depending on the type of flower being made, different amounts of beads will be added or taken away for each row. The best way to determine how many are needed is with trial and error. You can also draw a diagram before beginning to determine the number.
• After the last row is complete tie the wire ends together.

Make as many petals as you wish. For beaded flowers with more depth, make several petals that can be layered on top of each other.

Assemble the Beaded Stamens and Petals

• Begin by wrapping floral tape around the stamen wires. Wrap them tightly.
• Add the petals one at a time, wrapping as you go. Wrapping them one at a time will prevent them from moving around and loosening. Make sure the floral tape covers all the wire.
• The petals are quite flexible to they can be bended and molded to make a desired shape.

Beaded Flower Projects

These flowers can be used for any number of things.

• Make a large bouquet by putting several flowers together. Tie all of the stems together with floral tape.
• Make a corsage or boutonniere for a special occasion.
• Put several in a vase and display in an entryway.
• Make poinsettias and use them as Christmas tree decorations.
• Make brooches or hair accessories.
• Accessorize a formal dining table by making beaded flower napkin rings.
• Use them to accessorize curtain tie-backs.

When it comes to these charming accessories, you are only limited by your imagination. So get creative and get crafting.