Retired - Crystal Spider With Glow In The Dark Web

Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.

1. To make the web: Thread about fifty seed beads onto each "arm" of the wire spiderweb form.
2. Using your wire looping pliers, make a simple loop at the very end of each arm.
3. Thread your needle and tie the end of the thread to the very center of the spiderweb form.
4. Working your way up one of the arms of the spiderweb by wrapping your thread in between the beads, stop when your thread is between the fifth and sixth bead away from the center.
5. Thread about four seed beads onto the needle, moving them down the thread until they rest between the arm of origin and the next arm over. You can go to the next arm to the left or the right, it doesn't matter as long as you pick a direction and move consistently in that direction for threading the remainder of the spiderweb.
6. Wrap the thread two or three times around the next arm over in between the fifth and sixth bead.
7. Repeat the last two steps several times until there are four beads between each arm.
8. When you get back to the arm on which you started, wrap the thread upward five more beads to start your new row of spiderweb threads.
9. Use the same process to create every row of spiderweb threads, increasing the number of beads you use for each row the appropriate amount so that the threads hang nicely.
10. When you get to the last thread, tie off your Fireline between two beads and cut off excess. To hang the spiderweb, tie a piece of monofilament to one of the loops and suspend it from the ceiling or in a window.
11. To make the spider: Thread one dark red coral bicone crystal bead onto each of the two gunmetal headpins.
12. Insert both of those headpins through the 12mm helix crystal bead, and through the 28mm aquiline pendant (convex side up).
13. Pull both headpin wires through the aquiline pendant and use your round-nose pliers to curl up the excess wire into a tight loop on what will be the underside of the spider. (SEE PICTURE)
14. To make the legs, begin by cutting four pieces of wire at about six inches long each.
15. Wrap the center of each piece of wire several times around the center of the spider body, between the helix bead and the aquiline pendant, threading a few of the wires through the loops you made with the headpins on the underside of the spider body.
16. Pinch all of the eight legs into the body, so they fit tightly against the spider.
17. On the front two legs thread three fire polish beads, a 4mm garnet bicone, and two more fire polish beads. Make a simple loop at the end and trim off excess wire.
18. On the six remaining legs thread three fire polish beads, a 4mm garnet bicone, and three more fire polish beads. Make a simple loop at the end of each leg and trim off excess wire.
19. To shape the legs, just gently bend them using your fingers until they look like real spider legs. We used pictures of real spiders for inspiration!
20. Connect your spider to the web anywhere you'd like using jump rings.

• FCO-9023 - Beadsmith Metal Wire Snowflake Forms - Fun Craft Beading Project 9 Inches (4 Snowflakes)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• BCS-8130 - Czech Seed Beads 8/0 Crystal Glow In The Dark Lined (1 Ounce)
  Project uses 133 pieces. You will need 2 packages.


• XCR-1275 - FireLine Braided Beading Thread, 4lb Test and 0.005 Thick, 50 Yards, Crystal Clear
  Project uses 12 feet. You will need 1 package.


• XTL-3004 - Beadsmith English Beading Needles Assortment So Handy
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• SWC-9165 - Austrian Crystal, 5531 Aquiline Drop Pendant 28mm, 1 Piece, Jet
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• SWC-2742 -
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• SWBB-13045 -
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• SWBI-1489 - Austrian Crystal, 5328 Bicone Beads 4mm, 24 Pieces, Garnet
  Project uses 8 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• BCP-3394 - Czech Fire Polished Glass Beads 3mm Round Matte Jet Black (50)
  Project uses 48 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FHP-5416 - Gun Metal Head Pins 1.5 Inches 24 Gauge (X50)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• WCR-2003 - Artistic Wire, Copper Craft Wire 20 Gauge Thick, 6 Yard Spool, Permanent Black Color
  Project uses 3 feet. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-5032 - Beadsmith Wire Looping Pliers - Concave And Round Nose