jalex

You'll need
20cm wire lampshade frame
1kg glass beads
Assorted faceted beads
6 crystal teardrops
Beading wire
Copper-coloured spray paint
Wire cutters
Flat-nosed pliers
Needle
Strong thread
Methylated spirits
Gilding wax (optional)

Here's how
Step 1. Wipe the frame over with methylated spirits to remove all traces of oil. Spray with copper paint and let dry.

Step 2. Cut a length of beading wire (about 1m) and secure one end to the top edge of the frame where an upright joins the top edge. String about 20 beads onto the wire and begin looping wire tightly around the top of the frame, pushing each row firmly against the previous.

Continue until the top ring is covered. Tie the end of the wire off, tuck in any loose ends where the wire has been joined and camouflage the ends among the beads. Bead the bottom of the shade in the same way.

Step 3. Cut another 1m length of wire and tie it to the top edge where the strut joins to the top ring among the beads. Thread on enough beads to fill a section between one strut and another (in our case nine). Take the wire across to the next strut and wrap tightly around it, thread on another nine beads, take it across and wrap it around the next strut.

Continue in this way until the shade is fully beaded, adding in coloured crystals as you work your way down the shade. When wrapping the wire around the struts alternate between winding it above and below the last bead to keep the rows horizontal.

Step 4. To make the decorative edgings, thread another length of wire with beads,adding in different coloured beads and crystals. Tie one end of the wire to the bottom ring at a strut and drape beads across to the next strut. Wind the wire around it once and drape across to the third strut. Continue in this way until there is a row of draped beads around the bottom ring.

To make the lower loop, thread the needle with about 1m of strong thread and string it with beads. Tie the end to a strut as before, drape the beads over to the next strut, more loosely than before and pass the needle through the beads, bringing it out inside the shade. Wrap it around the strut and drape it across to the next one. Continue around the bottom edge.

Tip: Using cotton instead of wire will make the lower loops softer and looser.

Step 5. Cut six 20cm lengths of wire. Loop one over the bottom ring at each strut, bending it in half. Hold the two halves together and thread beads, remembering to add in some crystals. Add a crystal teardrop last, wrap the two ends back up and twist them together, hiding the ends under the last bead.

Step 6. (Optional) To complement the romantic look of the lampshade, rub gilding wax over a store-bought metal lamp base and allow to dry.



Tips
One metre is about the maximum length of wire you should work with when beading, or else it tangles. Where necessary, as in around the top and bottom of the shade, join lengths and disguise joins.

To clean the shade, remove it from the base and dunk it in a bucket of warm water with no detergent or cleaning agent, then wipe it over with a soft cloth.

© Copyright Better Homes and Gardens, Murdoch Magazines 2003

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