Isla Bennett
Beaded nail crosses are a fun, simple, and inexpensive craft that can be made in around 15 minutes. They can be used as a meaningful gift or a personal symbol of faith. To make a beaded nail cross, you will need two nails (one larger than the other), thin and flexible wire, thread or ribbon for hanging, and beads of your choice. The process involves anchoring the nails together by winding the wire around the point at which they cross, threading the beads, and creating a loop for hanging. You can vary the colour and size of the beads and nails to create a unique design.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | 10-15 minutes |
| Materials | Nails, wire, beads, thread/ribbon, scissors |
| Bead type | Miyuki seed beads, pony beads |
| Bead colour | White, red, pink, labrador full |
| Bead size | 11/0, 8/0 |
| Nail size | One larger than the other |
| Wire length | 1 metre |
| Wire type | Thin, flexible |
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What You'll Learn
Gather materials: beads, nails, wire, string, scissors
To make a beaded nail cross, you will need beads, nails, wire, string, and scissors. You can use any type of beads you like, such as seed beads, and choose whatever colour and size you prefer. Just make sure that the beads have holes large enough to fit your wire through. You will need two nails, one larger than the other, and about a metre of thin, flexible wire. The wire should be thin enough to bend easily around the nails. You will also need thread or ribbon for hanging your cross. Finally, you will need a pair of sharp scissors for cutting the wire. Beading scissors are a good option, as they are small, sharp, and easy to manoeuvre.
For the beads, you can choose a variety of colours and sizes to create a unique design. Consider the overall size of your cross and the number of beads you will need. You may also want to use beads with larger holes if you are using thicker wire.
When selecting your nails, look for two nails of different sizes. The exact size and type of nail can vary depending on the desired size and style of your cross. Just make sure that the nails are strong enough to support the weight of the beads and wire.
For the wire, choose a thin and flexible type that is easy to bend around the nails. You will need approximately one metre of wire to create the cross. Avoid using wire that is too thick, as it will be difficult to work with.
Finally, select a strong and durable string or ribbon for hanging your cross. You can choose a colour that complements your beads or matches the theme of your decor. Cut the string to the desired length, leaving enough room to tie a knot and hang the cross.
With these materials gathered, you are now ready to start assembling your beaded nail cross.
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Anchor nails with wire
To anchor the nails with wire for a beaded nail cross, you will need two nails (one larger than the other) and approximately one metre of thin, flexible wire.
Start by crossing the two nails to form an "X" shape. Then, take the end of your wire and tightly wind it several times diagonally around the point where the nails cross. Make sure to wind the wire tightly and securely to hold the nails in place. Leave a small length of wire attached to the centre, as this will be used to thread the beads.
It is recommended to anchor the nails for children ahead of time as this step can be a little fiddly. Once the nails are securely anchored, you can begin to thread your chosen beads onto the wire, creating a beautiful beaded nail cross.
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Thread beads onto wire
Threading beads onto wire is a fun and creative process that allows you to express your faith or create meaningful gifts for your loved ones. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you thread beads onto wire for a beaded nail cross:
Gather Your Materials
First, you will need to gather your materials. For this process, you will need beads of your choice, approximately 1 metre of thin and flexible wire, and a pair of scissors. It is important to ensure that the size of the bead holes will fit the wire you have selected. You can choose beads in various colours or stick to a specific colour scheme that aligns with your desired design.
Prepare Your Wire
Before you begin threading the beads, prepare your wire by cutting a length of about 30 inches. Then, double the wire over once and create a small loop at one end. Secure this loop by placing tape or a heavy object on it to keep it in place while you work.
Thread the Beads
Now, you can start threading your beads. Thread a few beads at a time onto the wire, creating the desired pattern or design as you go. If you are using a needle with your wire, you will want to thread the needle with about 24 inches of wire before beginning to add beads. Form a circle with the first few beads by passing the wire or needle back through them, tightening to create the centre of the cross.
Build the Cross
Continue building the cross by adding beads in the four cardinal directions from the centre. Use a ladder stitch to add two beads at a time, creating the cross's arms. Keep adding beads until you reach the desired size, typically using 22 to 24 beads for a standard pendant-sized cross.
Secure the Thread
Once you have achieved the desired size, it is time to secure the thread. Create a bail or small loop at the top of the cross by adding more beads and passing back through the last bead to form a loop. Secure the thread by tightening and, if needed, adding a drop of clear-drying glue near the knots to ensure your beaded nail cross stays intact.
With these steps, you can create beautiful and personalised beaded nail crosses to gift or display as a symbol of your faith.
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Secure beads with wire
To secure beads with wire, start by cutting a 30-inch piece of beading wire or string. Fold the string in half and tie a small loop at the end. Secure this loop by placing tape or a heavy object on it so you can begin stringing the beads. Thread your chosen beads onto the string. If you are using six beads, for example, pull the string back through the middle three beads in the opposite direction, creating a row of nine beads. Repeat this process on the other side.
Tighten the string to ensure everything is secure. After completing the horizontal sections, begin the first row of the bottom vertical section by repeating the pattern from the top vertical section. Make four rows of vertical sections. Once you have finished the fourth row, your cross should be complete. Make sure to tie a knot at the end to secure all the beads together. Gently tug on the ends of the strings to tighten any slack before you tie the knot.
You can also use a different method to secure beads with wire. First, anchor two nails together by winding the wire tightly several times diagonally around the point at which they cross. Leave the wire attached to the centre and thread a few beads on at a time, winding it around one section of a nail, heading out from the centre. As you wind back towards the centre, cross the wire over the part you have just beaded to anchor it tightly in place. Don't forget to make a small loop of wire at the top of the vertical nail to attach the string for hanging.
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Create a loop for hanging
To create a loop for hanging your beaded nail cross, you will need to leave some excess wire at the top of the cross. This excess wire will be used to form the loop.
Take the wire and bend it into a loop shape at the top of the cross. You can use pliers or your fingers to bend the wire, depending on its thickness and flexibility. Make sure the loop is big enough to fit your chosen thread, ribbon, or cord through for hanging.
If you are using a thicker material for hanging, such as a leather or hemp cord, you may need to wrap the wire around the top of the cross multiple times to create a larger and stronger loop.
Once you have formed the loop, you can thread your chosen hanging material through it. Secure the hanging material with a knot or another secure method, such as glue or wire wrapping, depending on the material you are using.
If you are using a beading thread or a thin wire for hanging, you can create a more intricate loop by adding beads to the wire before forming the loop. Take the end of the wire and thread on a few beads, then pass the wire back through the last bead to form a loop, securing the thread or wire in place. This will create a beaded bail or loop at the top of the cross, adding a decorative element to your hanging loop.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need two nails (one larger than the other), approximately 1 metre of thin, flexible wire, thread or ribbon for hanging, and beads of your choice. You will also require some scissors and a needle.
Anchor the two nails together by winding the wire tightly several times diagonally around the point at which they cross. Leave the wire attached to the centre.
Thread a few beads at a time, winding the wire around one section of the nail, heading out from the centre. As you wind back towards the centre, cross the wire over the beaded section to anchor it tightly in place.
Make a small loop of wire at the top of the vertical nail to attach the string or ribbon for hanging. You can also add a drop of clear-drying glue at the ends of the beads to secure them.
