My Sapphire Afternoon necklace and earring set in the April/May 2018 issue of Beadwork magazine uses beading thread to add seed beads to filigree flowers and a bar connector from B'Sue Boutiques. You often see gauged wire used for this technique, but I wanted to try using thread because sometimes wire can feel too bulky and stiff. The use of black thread fades from view, but you could try other colors. The key is to knot often on the back so that if the piece is somehow damaged, you may only loose a few beads rather than all of them. You could also glue your knots if desired. While I could have just hung the beaded flowers by themselves, I chose to hang them in front of simple metal circles so that the backs would have a neat, professional finish.
Here's what the silver flower connector and the filigree bar connector looked like before they were embellished with seed beads:
Full instructions for this necklace project are in the April/May 2018 issue of Beadwork.
More Ideas On How to Embellish or Bead Filigree
- Artisan Filigree by Jodi Bombardier
If you'd rather create (not buy) your own wire filigree shapes, this book shows you how to make them.
- Beading with Filigree by Cynthia Deis
This book shows how to use flexible beading wire to sew beads to purchased filigree, along with many other techniques.
- Cagework Assemblage: The Basics of Beads and Filigree on Wire
This blog post by B'Sue Boutiques not only shows some vintage Miriam Haskell jewelry pieces for inspiration, but also shows a variety of new filigree parts to give you an idea of the range available. I especially like that this blog post shows you photos of the backs of the pieces so you can get a better idea of how they are assembled. There are several related videos on this technique including Vintage Haskell Style Beading, Cagework on Filigree. - Embellishing Filigree
Fusion Beads offers a free, simple project using small crystals or seed beads and 24-gauge wire to embellish filigree. Lots of step-by-step photos. - Filigree Fantastique Pendant
This advanced tutorial by Vendula "Nady" Tvrdonova features a cabochon anchored by chain links and wire wrapping. The first few steps of the tutorial are on the page; you'll need to download the PDF for the full project. - Pip Beaded Flowers on Filigree Earrings Tutorial
Use petal-shaped Pip beads to add a flower to the center of the filigree in this creative tutorial from The Beading Gem. - Star Shimmer Earrings Tutorial
Prefer glue instead of thread or wire? Rings & Things offers an easy project with flat-backed crystals glued onto filigree.