SPIDER TUTORIAL

HALLOWEEN SPIDER

If you suffer from arachnophobia, you might want to
look away! However, it's here by popular demand, 
just in time for Halloween ...

I personally have no problem with spiders, but if you do,
I have read that you can make your own homemade deterrents:
"Spray peppermint oil around your windows and doors to deter 
the spiders, as they don't like the fragrance. You can make 
this spray by mixing 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil with water. 
A spray bottle will allow you to dispense the solution with ease."
And, if you don't have peppermint oil, white vinegar, is also
quite effective (but your house might start smelling a bit like a 
fish and chip shop!). 

Anyhow, back to creating this 'fun' spider! 
Pliers, Wires, Beads and Ready Steady GO ... !!

STEP 1

Create a spiral out of 0.6mm wire (check that the gauge, 
you use, can be threaded with the small beads you are
going to use for the 'body'). Cut from the spool, leaving 
about 6" (15cm) projecting.

STEP 2 

Stretch the spiral out and start threading with your
small beads, pushing them around the spiral coils, 
so that they fill and cover the entire coil.

STEP 3

  




















Continue threading the small beads onto the
projecting stem, until you only have about
2" (5cm) of bare wire protruding at the end.

STEP4

  

















Take the end of the wire and start forming a tight
spiral and then, using your fingers, continue spiralling
the wire around until it sits next to the first beaded
coil. (P.S. This is also a technique for making a cool
BEADED CAGE BEAD!).

STEP 5

  




















LEGS: to make these, cut 4 x 5" (12.5cm) lengths
of 0.6mm wire. Bind the centres together with 0.4mm 
wire. Space the wires out on each side of the binding
and begin threading alternatively with bugle and seed 
beads ... (I used 7 bugle beads interspersed with 7 
seed beads, but it's up to you how long you wish to make 
your spider's legs!).
To secure the beads on each leg, create small tight
spirals at the very ends. Repeat for each of the 8 legs.

STEP 6

 
















To form the legs framework: use the tips of your chain- 
nosed pliers to create a bend on each leg (mine was on 
the 3rd bugle bead along). *Be careful not to crack the 
beads as you bend, so add some slack, by unwinding 
the spiral feet at each end.


STEP 7

  








Cut a workable length (at least 6"- 15cm) longer
than the beaded body length). Thread this through
the centre of the beaded body, securing it with a
small spiral headpin at the rear.

STEP 8

  













Wrap the wire extending from the beaded body around
the centre of the legs unit to secure both together. 
Extend and straighten the remaining wire centrally from 
the body/leg framework. 

STEP 9

Thread the extending wire with your chosen 'head'
bead and leaving just under an 1" (2.5cm) protruding
from the head bead, bend the wire and double it back
towards the bead.

STEP 10

 
















Squeeze the doubled wires together with your flat
nosed pliers, so that they run parallel and bend
the wire out again to form a 'V' (to create antennae).
Fold the second wire back and secure by wrapping
by the 'head' bead. Cut off any excess wire and
neaten the end.

Finally, Using the tips of your round nosed
pliers, curl the ends of the doubled wires around.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and do post your
pictures up on my Facebook page to show your
your own versions! These can be used as ornaments,
or suspended from monofilament or black thread
to decorate your Halloween party!

 

Skeleton Tutorial

HALLOWEEN 
... is hovering in the dark corners with the
spiders and ghouls. The witches hats and
brooms and lots and lots of green slime and
red goo!

I am always amazed how super-charged and media-driven it has
become with consumers, spending massive amounts of money on
costumes and related merchandise!

It's just an excuse for a dressing up party and if you're a creative
soul, the cost should be minimal, as you can make your own costumes,
create your own decorations and bake your own delicious pumpkin pies!

I hope you like my SKELETON TUTORIAL
(although, not for the faint hearted!). It can
be scaled up or down, as a decoration, pendant
or, make 2 as a pair of shoulder-dusting earrings!

STEP 1 (SHOULDERS)

For a small decoration, cut approximately
3"(7.5cm) of 0.8mm or 1mm wire. Place your
round nosed pliers at the centre of the
length and cross the wires over on each side,
to form the central loop. Curl each of the
ends (in towards each other)on each side.

STEP 2 (ARMS)

Cut 2 x 1.5" (4cm) and 2 x 2.5" (6.5cm)
lengths of wire. Straighten them out and
using your round nosed pliers, create loops
on each side on the shorter lengths and a
link and spiral (for the hands) on the
longer units.

STEP 3 (HIPS)

Cut approximately 2.5" (6.5cm) of wire and 
create a similar unit to Step 1.  You can choose 
to have the side loops curling in, or outwardly,
it's your choice!

STEP 4 (LEGS)

Follow the same method as Step 2,
I used about 2" (5cm) x 2 of wire for the 
upper part of the legs and 3" (7.5cm) for 
the lower part with spiral feet. 

STEP 5 (TORSO - 1)

Make a large spiral (about 1" across)
and cut from the spool, leaving a projecting 
tail of about 1.5" (4cm).

STEP 6 (TORSO - 2)

Using your round nosed pliers, create a
loop at the end of the projecting wire
and then continue to curl the wire into
a spiral (in the opposite direction to
the main coil). It's just like making a
bead cage!

STEP 7 (TORSO - 3)

Fold the top small spiral over the larger
one (aligning the centres) and stretch the
coils out to form the ribbed torso!

STEP 8 (HEAD - 1)

Create a tight spiral and once it is
the size desired for the head of your
skeleton, create a link with your round
nosed pliers.

STEP 9 (HEAD - 2)

Cut the wire from the spool, but leave 
enough to bring around the side of your
spiral and to make a second link, 
opposite the top one in Step 8.

STEP 10

Assemble and connect your skeleton in
any order you like ... I started by
attaching the upper arms (Step 2) 
together and onto each side link of
the shoulders (Step 1).

STEP 11 

Now, attach the head (Steps 8-9) to the 
central link of the shoulder unit (Step 1).

STEP 12 (BACK BONE)

Cut a length of wire and thread this
through the centre of the spiralled
torso, creating a loop with your round
nosed pliers at the top and base of the
torso (Steps 5/6/7)

STEP 13

Connect the legs (Step 4) together and
attach to the outer loops of the hips
(Step 3). Now attach to the base loop of
the torso.

STEP 14

And you're there! Attach the top part of
your skeleton to the base and your skeleton
will start to dance!

For a final finish, you can glue on some
flat back diamante 'eyes' and some tiny
pearl seed bead 'teeth'. Or, use some paint
and a fine brush, to paint on a skull face!

There are plenty more decorations you can create out of
wire ... here are a few more that I created to inspire you:

 

HAPPY WIREWORKING!

... I'm off, on my broomstick ...