Princess Bride Tiara Instructions Designed by Cynthia Kimura
Any bride can have a fairytale wedding with this amazing tiara-style head piece! This delicate yet durable crown is made from nothing more than sterling silver wire, crystals and pearls in a warm champagne palette.
Step one: Measure the head size using a tape measure to wrap around and cut the length out of sterling silver 12 gauge wire. Use a heavy duty cutter for this gauge of wire. Bend the ends with multi-sized looping pliers to create a wide loop that you can slip the ribbon through later.
Step two: Cut a length of 18 gauge sterling silver wire approximately 36 inches long. Find the center of the sterling silver 18 gauge wire and cross the ends over each other to create a pointed loop, approximately 9mm wide. Use multi-sized looping pliers to create a defined loop. String three Swarovski 6mm faceted rounds in Ceylon Topaz, one 8mm Swarovski faceted round in Ceylon Topaz and two more 6mm rounds onto the 18 gauge wire on one side of the loop. Repeat this pattern on the other side of the loop.
Step three: Secure the beaded peak to the center of the 12 gauge wire frame by wrapping a 2-inch cut piece of sterling silver 20 gauge wire around the frame near the beads to hold everything in place.
Step four: String an alternating pattern using three 6mm and two 8mm rounds onto the 18 gauge wire to the right of the center peak, beginning and ending with 6mm rounds. Create a second peaked loop approximately 9mm wide, then repeat the beaded pattern on the other side of the loop. Secure the beaded peak as done in Step three. Repeat Step four to the left side of the center peak.
Step five: Make three more smaller peaks on either side of the frame with two 6mm rounds and one 8mm round to reach the end of the head piece. Trim any excess 18 gauge wire.
Step six: Cut the following pieces out of 24 gauge wire:
nine 1 1/2-inch pieces
one 1 3/4-inch piece
three 2 1/2-inch pieces
three 3 1/4-inch pieces
Step seven: Thread the 1 1/2-inch pieces with two Swarovski 4mm Crystal Vintage Gold round pearls and one 6mm round in an alternating pattern, beginning with a pearl. Attach each swag to the 18 gauge wire peaks by wrapping the end once between the first and second bead on the peak. Trim any excess wire.
Step eight: Thread the 1 3/4-inch pieces with one 4mm pearl, one 6mm round, one 6mm Swarovski Crystal Vintage Gold round pearl, one 6mm round and one 4mm pearl. Attach this swag to the center peak by wrapping the ends between the second and third bead. Thread one 2 1/2-inch piece with one 4mm pearl, one 6mm pearl, one 6mm round, one 8mm pearl and then a mirror image. Attach this swag to the center peak by wrapping the ends between the third and fourth bead.
Step nine: Thread the remaining 2 1/2-inch pieces with one 6mm pearl, one 6mm round, one 8mm pearl, one 6mm round and one 6mm pearl. Attach each swag to the side peaks closest to the center by wrapping the ends between the second and third bead. Thread the 3 1/4-inch pieces with the following pattern:
one 4mm pearl
one 6mm round
one 6mm pearl
one 8mm round
one 8mm pearl
one 8mm round
one 6mm pearl
one 6mm round
one 4mm pearl
Attach this swag to the three central peaks by wrapping the ends between the fourth and fifth bead on the center peak and the third and forth bead on the side peaks.
Step ten: Cut nine 1 1/2-inch long pieces of 24 gauge wire and finish one end with a simple loop. Thread each with one 8mm pearl, and then hook each simple loop to the open loop on each peak in the tiara. Bend the tail of the wire under and behind the peak frame and trim any excess.
Step eleven: Lace the 3/8 inch cream organza ribbon through the ends and tie a loose bow to hold in place.
Tools and Supplies Used:
Sterling Silver Wire 18 Gauge Half Hard - Approx. 1/2 troy oz (SSWR18H25)
Sterling Silver Wire Round 20 Gauge HALF HARD - Approx. 1 troy oz (19ft) (SSWR20HH1)
Sterling Silver Wire Round 24 Gauge HALF HARD - Approx. 1 troy oz (48ft) (SSWR24HH1)
ZambaPro® Round Nose Pliers (TOOL-108)
ZambaPro® Chain Nose Pliers (TOOL-106)
Heavy Duty Cutter (TOOL-512)
ZambaPro® Nylon Jaw Pliers (TOOL-105)
Mliti-Sized Looping Pliers (TOOL-0017)
List of Components:
Swarovski 5000 6mm Faceted Round Ceylon Topaz (5000-TOCEY6, qty 69)
Swarovski 5000 8mm Faceted Round Ceylon Topaz (5000-TOCEY8, qty 28)
Swarovski 5810 8mm Round Pearl Crystal Vintage Gold (5810-VGD8, qty 15)
Swarovski 5810 6mm Round Pearl Crystal Vintage Gold (5810-VGD6, qty 13)
Swarovski 5810 4mm Round Pearl Crystal Vintage Gold (5810-VGD4, qty 28)
Sterling Wire Round 12 Gauge HALF HARD (Sold by the Foot) (SSWR12HHF, qty 2)
3/8-Inch Organza Ribbon-Cream by the Foot (R38-CREAM, qty 3)
Alternate Components:
These are fun alternatives to those listed above:
Swarovski 5000 8mm Faceted Round Crystal AB (5000-CRYSAB8)
Swarovski 5810 8mm Round Pearl Cream (5810-CRM8)
Swarovski 5810 8mm Round Pearl White (5810-WHITE8)
Swarovski 5040 8mm Briolette Bead Crystal AB (5040-CRYSAB8)
3/8-Inch Organza Ribbon-White by the Foot (R38-WHITE)
