Earrings with beaded flowers

Begin by choosing three bead colours. In the video, gold and two shades of pink are selected. The colours will subsequently be referred to as colour 1, 2, and 3.

Cut approximately 30 cm of nylon cord for the first part of the beaded flower, and then thread the beading needle.

Pick up 10 beads in colour 1 onto the needle. Then pass the needle through the first bead again, forming a loop. See how it is done in the video. The loop is now the starting point for the flower.

Thread 5 beads of colour 1 onto the needle, and pass the cord through the 3rd bead in the bead ring, skipping one bead. This new bead row will form a small triangle from the inner ring. Repeat the process all the way around, a total of 5 times. Finish by passing the thread through the bead where the first triangle started.

Now pull the cord tightly, so the work tightens and forms a star with five points. Tie a double knot. Now the innermost part of the earrings is complete.

Cut a new piece of nylon cord about 30 cm long, and thread the needle. Then, pass the cord up through one of the points, starting at the inner circle and threading it up through two beads on the point, so that the cord exits through bead number 2 on the point.

Thread 1 bead in colour 1 onto the needle, then 13 beads in colour 2, and finally 1 bead in colour 1.

Now pass the needle with the beads to the other side of the point, and insert the needle down through the last two beads on the point towards the inner circle. Thus, the first petal of the flower forms a fine curve.

Thread the cord through the 1st and 2nd bead on the next point. Repeat steps 7 and 8, and continue all the way around until you have 5 large leaves with a small point on each. Finally, tighten the work and tie a double knot to secure.

Now you are ready for the final part of the work with the petals of the flower. Cut a new piece of nylon cord, approximately 30 cm long, thread the beading needle, and pass it through the 3rd and outermost bead in one of the small spikes.

Now thread the needle with 4 beads in colour 2, and pass the string through the middle bead in one of the outer leaf chains.

Thread the needle again with 4 beads of colour 2, and pass the needle down through the second bead of the petal. Repeat steps 11 and 12 on all 5 petals of the flower, and finish by tying a double knot.

The flower is now complete. Now, create the decorative chains; approximately five on each earring in varying lengths. Thread the needle and pass it through a bead of your choice on the back of the flower. Now, thread 10-15 beads in colour 3, 2 beads in colour 2, and 3 beads in colour 1 onto the string. Pass the needle back through all the beads in the chain, and tie a double knot to secure it. Repeat until both earrings have approximately five decorative chains. If the decorative chains do not hang as you wish, you may thread a wire through them to make them more malleable.

Now the flower needs to be attached to the ear chain. Begin by gently opening the eye of the ear chain with pliers. Now attach the eye over the five decorative chains, and close the eye again with the pliers.

Your handmade earrings are now complete — time to show them off!