This eclectic design blends an array of metals with soft ribbons and feathers to create a striking holiday focal point laden with steampunk influence. Hook and eye clasps enable the garland to easily detach from the angel ornament so you can choose to hang the ornament and garland separately on your tree or display them as a unified decoration.
When creating this design feel free to mix and match different metals and styles, this approach is all about showcasing contrasting textures and themes. To see the specific items we used, please refer to the components list below.
Step one: Choose an image of an angel and glue it onto balsa wood using gem-tac adhesive. We applied a second layer of paper over the angel to create her dress. Choose an image for the back of the ornament and glue it onto the back of the balsa wood. Allow to dry. Use a coping saw to cut out the silhouette of the angel. Use paint or distressing ink to color the edges of the balsa wood. Allow to dry.
Step two: Use a long needle to poke a hole through the torso to create a hole for the arms. Cut a 6-inch piece of 20 gauge brass non-tarnish artistic wire and make a wrapped loop at one end. Thread a TOHO round 8/0 frosted silver-lined lemon lime bead, a 10mm carved wooden round bead and a 14mm TierraCast® rhodium granulated bead cap onto the wire before pushing it through the hole in the torso. Next, thread a 14mm TierraCast® antique gold spiral bead cap, a wooden bead and a TOHO bead and finish with a wrapped loop.
Step three: Spread gem-tac adhesive on the surface of one side of twelve spacer beads to fill in any creases and let dry. Please refer to the components list to see the spacers we used. Apply more adhesive to six of the spacers and attach them along the bottom edge of the angel and let dry. Use a needle to poke holes through the spacers and balsa wood. Glue the six remaining spacers over the holes on the back and let dry. Cut a 3-inch piece of wire, thread it through the first hole and secure it with a double wrapped loop. Repeat for the five remaining holes.
Step four: Use gem-tac to glue a piece of light-turquoise hand-dyed silk ribbon onto the back of the angel above the spacer beads, leaving enough length on the ends to tie the ribbon around the front of the dress. Cut two more pieces of ribbon for the neckline. Fold each piece in half and arrange them to form the angel's collar. Use E6000 or gem-tac to glue the ends of the ribbon down in the center before gluing a 22.5mm antique copper closed wheel round button to cover the ends. Next, glue the underside of the ribbon onto the angel so that the collar appears to wrap around her neck. Use gem-tac to glue a Swarovski rose flatback in Capri Blue onto the center of the button. Next, glue a 15mm antique brass wheel round button on the angel to embellish her hair. Glue a Swarovski rose flatback in Khaki onto the center of the button. Set the angel aside to dry.
Step five: Next, begin constructing the garland. Link three jump rings together to form a chain, and connect two of these chains to each 22.5mm button. We used three 22.5mm buttons per half of the garland. Set aside. Choose a variety of chain for the garland. You will need a total of about 28-inches of chain for each half of the garland. Cut the chain into the desired lengths. Use the jump rings on the buttons to connect two strands of chain together. Alternate chain and buttons until you have reached about 32 inches in length, ending with chain on each end. Use a jump ring to attach a 15mm button to one end of the garland half. Attach the eye portion of a hook and eye clasp to the other end of the garland half. This will connect to the angel at her hook-hands. Repeat to make the other garland half, but this time also add the hook from a hook and eye clasp to the eye end of the garland. This will allow you to connect the two garlands to each other if desired.
Step six: Next, make the dangles for the garland. To create a dangle, thread a Swarovski crystal bead onto a headpin and finish with a wrapped loop. We used an array of blue and green crystals in different sizes; please refer to the components list to find the specific beads we used. Attach the dangles to the garland using jump rings. Next, attach an assortment of charms to the garland using jump rings.
Step seven: To create the arms of the angel, cut a 1.5-inch piece of chain Attach the hook portion of a hook and eye clasp to one end of the chain for her hands. These hooks will connect to the garlands. Create a dangle, and attach it near the end of the arm, where the wrist would be, using a wrapped loop. Attach the arm to the wrapped loops at the shoulder using a jump ring. Repeat to make the second arm.
Step eight: For the angel's skirt, cut nine pieces of different types of chain in lengths varying between 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches. Attach a dangle to the end of each chain. We attached some of the dangles using wrapped loops and others using jump rings. Attach one chain to each double wrapped loop on the angel using a jump ring. Attach a second chain to three of the loops.
Step nine: Cut a 5-inch piece of wire and make a double wrapped loop. Extend the wraps to about a half-inch in length and trim the excess wire. Use a long needle to poke a hole into the top of the angel. Cover the wire in glue and insert it into the hole so that the loop rests on top of the ornament. Thread a piece of organza ribbon through the loop and tie it together at the ends.
Step ten: Use a dab of E6000 glue to attach two peacock feathers to the back of the angel so that they hang over either side to resemble wings. Glue a 22.5mm button over the wings where they intersect. Allow to dry.
