Skill Level: Intermediate

Tutorials

How to make a Labradorite Butterfly.

How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial

Learn how to make a Labradorite Butterfly.

Labradorite is a gemstone founded on the island of St Paul in Labrador, Canada. Portraying a beautiful array of iridescent colours, easily capturing the light within! Labradorite is also referred to as Firestone as if you look internally the combination of colours can look like 'dancing fire'! This gemstone was voted as customer’s Gemstone of the Year in 2016 and 2017! By following this step by step tutorial, you will create a stunning Labradorite butterfly. This piece would look perfect as a decorative brooch or if you wish you could add a loop and attach it to a chain to wear it as a statement pendant necklace! Be sure to share your final designs with us via our social media channels. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 1

Step One

Cut a length of wire approx 20cms long with round nose pliers find the centre and make a small loop (this will act as a stopper and hold the beads in place).

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 2

Step Two

Add 3 x 4mm beads and 1 x 6mm bead and let them drop down to the loop.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 3

Step Three

From the top Drilled Marquise Labradorite sort 2 larger pieces for the front wings and 2 smaller pieces for the back wings. With approx 30cms of wire add on one of the larger and one of the smaller to the centre. Hold the wings positioning the points together and with your fingers or pliers bend the wires to the centre and out as in the picture. Repeat to make another set of wings.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 4

Step Four

Place the wires from the wings in between the 6mm bead and the 3 x 4mm beads and wrap both wires twice around the body wire to hold in place at the same time holding down the body beads. Repeat to add the other set of wings.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 5

Step Five

Separate the wires so that there is one each side with the wings and two wires running upwards in the same direction as the body wire.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 6

Step Six

Use one of the wires going upwards bring it from the back of the bead and wrap 2 or 3 times in front of the head to hold in it place, trim the excess wire.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 7

Step Seven

Use the other wire going upwards and bringing it from the back in between the head and body beads, wrap around each body bead towards the loop, trim the excess wire leaving the wire's each side for wrapping the wings.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 8

Step Eight

Bring the wire in between the wings and wrap around one wing then back in between the two then wrap around the other wing. Repeat three wraps on each wing.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 9

Step Nine

Pass the wire down through the space in between the wing wires and back up a couple of times, trim the excess wire and tuck in the end with flat nose pliers. Repeat this step for the other set of wings.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 10

Step Ten

Trim the wires from the head to approx 2cm's and using round nose pliers create a small loop, then using flat nose pliers roll up the loop to form the antennae.

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How to make a labradorite butterfly tutorial - step 11

Step Eleven

With a length of 0.4mm wire approx 25cm's long secure to the brooch pin with a couple of wraps place the butterfly in line with the brooch pin and wrap around the pin and in between the head and body beads to secure to pin.

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