Step into the spirit of Halloween with a make that is equal parts spooky and sparkling. This guide shows you how to make a beaded spider from jewel-green Preciosa crystal beads and a little wirework, with a round-bead body and eight glittering beaded legs. Perch it on a web, hang it from a candle holder or wear it as a brooch.
It is a satisfying, hands-on project for makers who love detail. Czech-made Preciosa beads keep every facet sharp and the colour consistent, as you would expect from an Authorised Preciosa Partner. Here is everything you need, then the full method.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate, wirework and shaping
- Time: About 40 minutes
- Beads used: Preciosa emerald round beads with emerald and peridot bicones and hematite seed beads
- Technique: Wired body and eight beaded legs
Watch the tutorial
See this project come together. Watch the full make below, then scroll down for the kit list and step-by-step instructions.
What you'll need
Quantities make one spider, so scale them up for a whole web of them. Add the beads, wire and findings to your cart from the cards below. The pliers and trays are reusable across every project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
Materials
- Preciosa Beads Round Emerald 6mmThe body1 pack
- Preciosa Beads Round Emerald 5mmThe head1 pack
- Preciosa Beads Bicone Emerald 3mmLegs1 pack
- Preciosa Beads Bicone Peridot 3mmLegs1 pack
- Preciosa Seed Beads Rocaille HematiteLeg accents1 pack
- Artistic Wire 28 Gauge, SilverThe legs1
- Silver Plated Flat End HeadpinsBody core1 pack
- Silver Plated Crimp Beads 2mmSecuring the leg ends1 pack
Tools
- Magic Sorting TrayOrganising the beads4
- Round Nose PliersLooping the headpin1
- Side CuttersTrimming wire1
- Crimping PliersClosing the crimps1
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
Not sure how many crystals you need? Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by surface area.
How to make a beaded spider
Step 1: Sort your beads
Pour your round beads and bicone beads into the magic sorting trays, giving each bead its own tray so they are easy to pick up as you work. Keeping the four types apart saves a lot of fumbling once you start wiring the legs.
Step 2: Make the body
Thread one 6mm emerald round bead onto your flat headpin, then add one 5mm round bead on top, leaving a small gap between the two. Bend the excess wire to one side, snip it with your side cutters to leave about 1cm, then roll it into a loop with your round nose pliers. The gap between the beads is where the legs will attach.
Step 3: Start the first pair of legs
Cut a piece of 28-gauge wire about 25cm long. Fix a crimp to one end with your crimping pliers, then thread on 11 of your smaller beads: a mix of 3mm bicones and seed beads. Add more beads if you would like longer legs.
Step 4: Attach and mirror
Wrap the wire around the body in the gap you left between the beads, taking it around once. Thread the same 11-bead pattern onto the other end so it mirrors the first leg and sits on the opposite side of the body. Finish with another crimp at the end, then snip off the excess wire.
Step 5: Repeat and shape
Make three more legs the same way, giving your spider eight legs in total. Finally, bend each leg into a gentle knee shape so your beaded creepy crawly stands up on its own. Customise the colours however you like.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a beaded spider?
Make a beaded spider by threading two round beads onto a flat headpin for the body and head, then wrapping four lengths of wire across the gap between them to form eight legs. Bead each leg, crimp the ends to hold the beads, and bend the legs so it stands.
What beads do you need for a beaded spider?
Jewel-toned or dark beads suit a spider best: a 6mm and a 5mm round bead for the body and head, and small bicones and seed beads for the legs. We used emerald Preciosa round beads with emerald and peridot bicones and hematite seed beads.
How many legs does a beaded spider have?
Eight, just like a real spider. Cut four lengths of 28-gauge wire, each about 25cm, and wrap each across the body so both ends become legs. Four wires give you the eight legs, which you then bead and shape individually for a lifelike stance.
How do you make the spider stand up?
Once each leg is beaded and crimped, bend it into a gentle knee shape so the tip angles down to the surface. Adjusting the bends lets you balance the spider so it stands on its own, perches on a web or grips an edge.
Can I turn it into a brooch or hanging decoration?
Yes. The loop at the top of the body is ideal for hanging it from a thread or a candle holder, and you can wire or glue a brooch pin to the underside to wear it. The same beaded spider works as a decoration or a brooch.
Can I change the colours?
Yes. Jewel green makes a striking spider, but classic jet black, bright jewel tones or metallics all work well too. We used Czech-made Preciosa beads here; you can also make it in Swarovski or our Austrian-made Serinity in whatever shades you like.
Make it your own
Switch the greens for classic jet black, try other jewel tones or metallics, or add more beads for chunkier legs. To build a Halloween set, see our skull bracelet and gothic skull earrings projects, or explore the full Craft Studio.
