Petitebeadedbasket
Make an easy basket with
wire and beads
by Mindy Brooks
b
Jean Atter, one of our readers, found the
delicate red-and-clear basket shown
above crumpled up at a flea market, and
c
she sent it to us for help in figuring out
how it was made. She thought other a
readers might also be interested in the
instructions, and we agreed.
figure 1 figure 2
2
1 beadandbutton.com
beads into a loop. Repeat using the same
stepbystep
wire, then pick up 5 As and an 80
Start with a circle of netting to form the (photo b).
basket s base, then stitch the sides. Add Using the other wire end, pick up 5
a handle and trim the basket s upper As and cross through the last 80 strung
edge with a double row of netting. (photo c). Tighten the wires to complete
Create a small pedestal by adding the loop.
beaded loops around the base. Pick up 6 As, (note the change in
If at any point you need to end one bead count) an 80, and 6 As on one wire
a
wire and add another, here s what to and go through the closest 80 strung in
do. Work through the nearest 80, then the previous round (figure 1, a-b).
make two or three tight wraps with the Repeat, passing through the next 80 of
working wire around the wire between the previous round. Pick up 6 As and an
the 80 and the neighboring bead, as 80 (b-c). Pick up 6 As on the other wire
shown in photo g. Trim the excess wire and cross through the last 80 strung (fig-
close to the beadwork. Start a new wire ure 2).
by making several tight wraps on the Start this and all subsequent rounds
other side of the 80. Take the new wire with the longer of the two wires. Pick up
through the 80 and continue beading. 5 As, an 80, and 5 As and go through the
next 80 (figure 3, a-b). Repeat, making a
b
base total of 5 loops (a-c). Then pick up 5 As
Cut a 6-ft. (1.8m) length of wire and and an 80 (c-d). Pick up 5 As on the
fold it loosely in half. String 3 color A other wire and cross through the last 80
beads, an 80, 3 As, an 80, and 3 As and strung (e-f).
slide them to the fold. String an 80 on Pick up 5 As, an 80, and 5 As. Go
one end of the wire and go through it in through the next 80 along the previous
the opposite direction with the other round (figure 4, a-b). Repeat, passing
end of the wire (photo a). Pull both wire through the next 80 of the previous
ends to tighten these beads into a ring. round. Make a total of 5 loops (a-c).
Pick up 5 As, an 80, and 5 As on one Then pick up 5 As and an 80 (c-d). Pick
wire end. Go through the next 80 along up 5 As on the other wire and cross
the ring. Pull the wire to tighten the through the last 80 (e-f).
c
b
b
a
e
c
a
c
e
d
f
f d
figure 3 figure 4
&
Bead Button 2
3
sides add a new piece as described in the
Pick up 4 Bs, an 80, and 4 Bs and go introduction to these instructions.
through the nearest 80 in the previous String 12 As on one wire. Go
round (figure 5). Repeat, making a through the next 80 (photo f). Continue
total of 11 loops. Then pick up 4 Bs and until you reach the 80 at the starting
an 80. Pick up 4 Bs on the other wire point. Go through this 80 and secure the
and cross through the last 80 strung. wire with a few wraps (photo g).
Pick up 5 Bs, an 80, and 5 Bs and Repeat step 2 with the remaining
work this round as in step 1 (figure 6). wires to form two rows of contrast-
Repeat step 2 twice. Leave the wire color netting that cross through the 80s
ends unfinished for now. on the basket s top edge (photo h).
Trim the wire close to the beadwork.
handle
Cut a 40-in. (1m) length of wire pedestal
and pass it through the 80 where the Cut a 2 ft. (61cm) length of wire.
unfinished wires cross. Fold the wire in Pass the wire through any 80 on the
half (photo d). String 3 As and 2 80s on outer row of the base and center it.
one wire end and 3 As on the other. Working with one of the wire
Cross this wire through the 80s (photo ends, pick up 4 Bs, an 80, and 4 Bs. Go
e). Tighten the wire to form the first through the next 8 (photo i). Repeat,
small square of the handle. making a total of 11 loops. Pick up
Repeat, making the handle 18 4 Bs and an 80. Pick up 4 Bs on the
squares long. other wire end and cross through the
To attach the handle to the basket last 8 strung.
edge, string 3 As on each wire and Pick up 10 As and go through the
cross the wires through the 80 directly next 80 (photo j). Continue until you
across from the starting point. Leave cross through the 80 at the starting
the wire ends unfinished. point. Secure the wire ends on each side
of the 80 as before and trim.
decorative edge Pinch the B loops inward against
Measure the unfinished wires from the basket base. Then adjust the A
the basket s sides and handle. You need loops so they point down to form the
each wire end to be at least 6-in. (15cm) pedestal base. w
long to make the netted edge. If your
wire is shorter than 6 in., secure it and Mindy is senior editor of Bead&Button.
figure 5 figure 6
3
4 beadandbutton.com
d h
e i
f j
materials
" 15g Japanese seed beads, size 110, color A
" 15g Japanese seed beads, size 110, color B
" 15g Japanese seed beads, size 80, color B
(choose cylinder-shaped beads with holes
large enough to accept 4 wires)
" 1 Spool 26-gauge craft wire
Tools: chainnose pliers, diagonal wire cutters
g
&
Bead Button 4
5
Create Fashionable Jewelry with
Bead&Button Magazine!
With every issue of Bead&Button
magazine, you ll get 20+ beading
projects, complete with step-by-
step illustrated instructions.You ll
also get shortcuts, solutions, tips,
techniques, and inspiration for
your work.
Order online at
www.beadandbutton.com/promo
Enter code I3D2
or call 800-533-6644
Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm Central Time. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 262-796-8776.
IT
 S
FU
N
!
Make jewelr
y
like a pro
Creative Ideas for the Art of Beads and Jewelry
Make fashionable jewelr
www.beadandbutton.com
St
ylish designs for
y
necklaces,
bracelets,
and earrings
Cr
eate
stunning gifts
20
+
projects
in ever
y
issue
Subscribe
Projects for all levels-
from beginner to advanced
Today!