Beaded Spider Tutorial

After spending more than half of a year making a beaded spider every day (see 365 Spiders at atomicrose.blogspot.com), I have come up with some fairly far-fetched versions of the average (beaded) spider. This tutorial is meant to be a simple introduction so that after you have created your first few spiders, you'll begin to see the ways in which you can stretch and bend these guidelines to come up with unique creations of your own. And I hope that you do!

Step 1: The Right Stuff

Comments

[diylesson]

Hi atomicrose!

You make cool bugs and spiders! Got to share this on my blog :) You can check out the link here: http://www.handmade-jewelry-club.com/2012/10/diy-halloween-beaded-spiders-tutorials.html

Cheers!

[bwestfall]

I am new to beading and I can't seem to find some of the unusual and uncommmon beads that are being used in these tutorials. Locally, I only have a Jo Ann's, and I also went to a Hobby Lobby but still didn't find anything like the ornate beads used here. I would love to find beads like the large, cobalt blue with the silver ring around it. Could someone please let me know who carries beads like this, either online or if they have a catalog. Thank You.

[RengeGirl]

bwestfall
If you don't have bead specialty shops in your area, you will have to find the decorative beads online. FusionBeads.com is my go-to place. There is also FireMountainGems and Beadholic.
Just start Googling, you'll find 'em.

[akrell]

Atomicrose, thank you for the tutorial. I made myself a cracked marble spider this morning. ~:)

[akrell]

Whoops, it wasn't uploaded...

[rucadamsel]

This is beautiful! I used 2 bugle beads per leg and made a beautiful purple and green spider. Thank you! I am always looking for ways to expand my wire wrapping talent.

[barefootbohemian]

She is adorable! Think I would add a lil' red enamel spot on her tummy just to make her a bit more "threatening", although she's far too cute to be threatening ;)

[atomicrose]

I did make a black widow spider for my 365 Spiders project at atomicrose.blogspot.com if you want to check it out. Yesterday's spider was the brown recluse. Ooooo, scary. Yes, there are countless ways to make a beaded spider more threatening. Thanks for the compliment.

[barefootbohemian]

I went to see them, and they are all beautiful! Reminds me off the 1920-30's fad of wearing insect broaches. :)

[MommaB22]

I love jewelry spiders, every one I've seen, is great, just haven't quite sat down and made my own yet, Today may be the day, I have not looked at your collection, yet, but I put your website in my browser, and the first one to pop up was the John Deere Spider, Beautiful, and not to mention the colors of the Green Bay Packers, my 13yr old son's team, Looking forward to trying your technique. Thank You.

[PaHalloweenFreak]

Very nice spider! Great job!

[dwingrove-smith]

What type and size of wire do you recommend? I've never used wire but would like to make a spider today... Your spiders are amazing

[atomicrose]

22 or 24 gauge wire are best. Ive even used floral wire but it tends to be a bit too thin and flimsy. Have fun!

[gada888]

This is creative.

[l8nite]

that's SWEET !

[jenhoney]

Thanks for sharing! I see a pair of spidey earrings in my future. Gonna go check out your others now!

[atomicrose]

Good idea! FYI, if you want to make spider earrings, reduce the number of bugle beads on each leg to 3--one in between each set of seed/E beads. Also, you may want to use just one seed bead to separate the bugle beads. In other words, 1 bugle, 1 seed, 1 bugle, 1 seed, 1 bugle, end. This will help keep your spiders from being 3-inch monstrosities getting tangled in your hair!

[jenhoney]

Thanks so much! Alaso, I checked out your blog and was so entertained by all the different themed spiders. I love the Spongebob and Hellraiser ones so much.

[atomicrose]

I'm so happy you like my Pinhead spider. I worked very hard on him and was so psyched to show him to everyone, and then I got almost no response. :( I would love for you to post your spider earrings when they're finished.

[jenhoney]

Oh no, I hate getting underwhelmed response when I'm really excited about something I've made. Your hard work on the Pinhead spider is very apparent. I certainly will show off my earrings here when I make them. I think I'll be making the beads for the body today. About how big do you think the biggest bead should be for earrings?

[atomicrose]

I don't speak "millimeter-ese" like many bead workers, so I'd probably have to say about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. That should work to keep in proportion with the legs.

[jenhoney]

Done! Thanks so much, these were super fun to make. http://www.instructables.com/id/Blood-Amber-Spider-Earrings/

[sunshiine]

Glad you changed it! You will receive deserved views for sure! She is beautiful!
Sunshiine

[sunshiine]

This is beautiful! If this were my instructable I would use the spider picture for the first and last pictures! Thanks for sharing your hard work! Have a day as beautiful as your spider!
Sunshiine

[atomicrose]

You are absolutely right. I debated on the first picture anyhow, so I'm taking your advice. Every day with my spider(s) is a beautiful day!