Russian Ornament Tutorial

The holiday season is upon us!! It seems too early to start thinking about Christmas already (can’t Thanksgiving have its day??), but for us crafters we have to start thinking about holidays early so we don’t get caught up in the last minute stress. This month we wanted to share our fabulous Russian Ornament tutorial with you. Handmade ornaments are not only great to adorn your own tree, they’re also amazing hostess gifts for all of those wonderful holiday parties you’ll get invited to!! Make a few for your own tree and a few to give out to friends & family. They’ll love seeing your handiwork on their trees too!

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You will need:

4mm Czech Firepolish Beads (40)

Size 11 Seed Beads (6 grams)

Size 6 Seed Beads (13 grams)

1 Inch Bugle Beads (16)

Czech Glass Teardrops (16)

Fireline Thread (15 feet)

Size 10 Beading Needle (1)

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1. String one 4mm Czech bead and three size 11 seed beads.

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2. Repeat this pattern of beads seven more times. Bring your needle around to the tail end of your beads. Re-enter your first few beads.

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3. Pull the thread tight, forming a circle. “Tie off” the circle by tying a knot. Pass your needle through a few more beads and then tie another knot. After your final knot, emerge from the circle after a 4mm Czech bead.

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4. String on eight size 11 seed beads, one 4mm Czech glass bead and another eight size 11 seed beads. Pass your needle through ONLY the next 4mm Czech glass bead on the circle. Pull the thread tight to make a “finger”.

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5. Repeat this process all the way around the circle. Pass your needle through the eight size 11 seed beads of the very first “finger”. Pass your needle through the 4mm Czech bead at the tip of the “finger”.

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6. String on five size 6 seed beads, one 4mm Czech glass bead and five more size 6 seed beads. Pass your needle through ONLY the 4mm Czech bead at the tip of the next “finger”. Pull your thread tight to form a new “finger” and continue the pattern.

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7. Pass your needle through the five size 6 seed beads of the very first “finger” from this circle. Pass your needle through the 4mm Czech bead at the tip of the “finger”. String on five size 6 seed beads, one 4mm Czech glass bead and five more size 6 seed beads.

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8. Pass your needle through ONLY the 4mm Czech bead at the tip of the next “finger”. Pull the thread right to make a new “finger”. Continue the pattern all the way around the circle.

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9. Pass your needle through the five size 6 seed beads and 4mm Czech bead of the very first “finger”. String on ten size 11 seed beads, one 4mm Czech glass bead and another ten size 11 seed beads.

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10. Pass your needle through ONLY the 4mm Czech bead at the tip of the next “finger”. Pull the thread tight to form a new “finger” though this new layer will be tighter than previous layers. Continue the pattern until you have completed the circle.

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11. String on one size 6 seed bead, one bugle bead, one size 6 seed bead and one teardrop. Pass the needle back through the size 6 seed bead, bugle and size 6 seed bead. Pass your needle through the left side of the original 4mm Czech glass bead. Pull the thread tight to create the first fringe. Be careful to get the right tension: you want the teardrop to dangle freely.

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12. Pass your needle through the next ten size 11 seed beads and 4mm Czech bead. String on one size 6 seed bead, one bugle bead, one size 6 seed bead and one teardrop to form another fringe. Pass the needle back through the size 6 seed bead, bugle and size 6 seed bead, then back through the 4mm Czech glass bead. Tighten the thread. Continue the pattern all the way around the ornament. Tie off the thread using the traditional technique.

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Your finished ornament will look like this. Isn’t it beautiful??

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Happy Beading!