This is one of our all-time favorite beginner beadweaving projects. You take a handful of sparkling Swarovski crystal bicone beads, a needle, some thread, and about an hour of your time — and you end up with a glittering crystal ball that looks like it took ten times longer than it did.
The technique is called right-angle weave, and the crystal ball is one of the best ways to learn it. Once you understand the basic stitch pattern, you can make these in any size and any color combination. Use them as earring drops, pendant focals, charm dangles, or string a few together for a lariat necklace.
All you really need is scissors and an attitude that's ready to learn.
What You'll Need
- Swarovski crystal bicone beads — 4mm is the most common size for this project. Pick one color or mix a few.
- Fireline or similar braided beading thread — 6lb test works well for 4mm bicones.
- Size 10 or 12 beading needle — needs to pass through the bead holes multiple times.
- Scissors
That's it. No pliers, no wire, no glue. Just thread and crystals.
The Tutorial
We put together a full video walkthrough so you can follow along stitch by stitch:
Watch the Crystal Ball Video Tutorial
And here's a printable PDF flyer you can keep at your beading table as a quick reference:
Tips for Your First One
- Thread tension matters. Keep it snug but not so tight that the beads pucker. You want the ball to be firm but still round.
- Count your beads per row. Right-angle weave has a rhythm — four beads per unit. Once you feel the pattern, it clicks fast.
- Use a stop bead. A temporary bead at the end of your thread keeps everything from sliding off while you're getting started.
- Leave a long tail. You'll weave the tail back through the beads at the end to hide it. A short tail means a frustrating finish.
Ideas to Inspire
Here are a few ways we've used the crystal ball in finished pieces:
If you need Swarovski bicones, Fireline, or needles, we carry everything in the store. Come in and we'll help you pick your colors — that's honestly the hardest part of this whole project.