The Little House at Pine Haven

HATSTAND TUTORIAL

Took a couple of extra days to get this on the blog but here it is.

I hope you can understand the steps. If you have any questions, email me at pinehaven1998@gmail.com and I will answer the best I can...

The beads I use are on the right, the white and ivory colors. The lilac ones are regular size pony beads shown for a comparison of the sizes.

Cut 6 pieces, measuring 4 to 4 1/2 inches, of 20 guage wire, brass color or even regular florist wire will do. You will only use 3 of the pieces but you want to make sure 6 "legs" will fit through the hole in your bead.

Holding 3 lengths of wire together, wrap them around a round object that measures about 3/4 inch across.

Pull each set of "legs" on each side outward in opposite directions from each other so it tightens the "head" part a little more into an oval. 

This is what you will have....

Use flat piers to bend the "legs" downwards.....make the legs about an inch long.......

....to get three pieces like this.

Keeping them all together make sure they fit into your bead hole.

Remove one of the pieces and fit two as shown above.

It should look like this from the top for the next step. It is a bit tricky from here but keep it as close to this as you can.

Straddle the two pieces at the "X" on top with the third piece and slip the "legs" through the bead hole on either side of the legs already there.

Holding the assembly together and in alignment as shown, place a bit of super glue gel all around the top of the bead and between the wires where they enter the bead hole.

I use a clamp on one of the wires to just hold the assembly upside down while the glue dries.

Trim the wire legs even at the bottom; be sure to have at least 3/4 inch...

Spread the legs out .......

...then curl each end. Spray paint the whole thing, or use acrylic paint to just paint the bead if you used brass colored wire.

Top with a hat and enjoy!