Cardinal / Blue Jay Earrings, Necklace, Brooch & Ornament Tutorial

Learn how to make beaded bird earrings and a pendant necklace, as well as a brooch and a holiday ornament, simply by changing the size of the seed beads you use. We designed this versatile beading pattern so that it could be stitched up as a cardinal and/or a blue jay - for twice the fun.

You'll get a lot of use out of this pattern, as the various sizes of beaded birds are quite lovely and make wonderful accessories for yourself and your bird-loving friends and family. This detailed beading pattern includes a recommended materials list, bead color information, over 130 high-resolution full-color photos, and easy-to-follow step-by-step directions to ensure your success and enjoyment.

Finished Dimensions:

Use small size 15/0 seed beads for charming little bird earrings and/or a delicate pendant on a thin chain that measures approximately 2" wide by 3.25" tall (5 x 8.2 cm). Use size 11/0 seed beads for a slightly larger pendant, and hang your beaded bird from a simple chain for a fabulous necklace. Measures approximately 1" wide x 1.75" tall (2.5 x 4.4 cm). Size 8/0 seed beads are the perfect size for a beaded bird brooch that measures 1.5" wide x 2.5" tall (3.8 x 6.3 cm). For a super lovely keepsake Christmas tree ornament or rearview mirror dangle for your car, use size 6/0 seed beads for an ornament that measures approximately 2" wide by 3.25" tall (5 x 8.2 cm).

Recommended Materials:

Earring Materials:

- 4 lb FireLine beading thread
- #12 long beading needle
- 4 mm closed jump rings
- Earwires
- Chain nose or flat nose pliers
- Flush cutter

Necklace Materials:

- 4 lb FireLine beading thread
- #12 long beading needle
- 4 mm closed jump ring
- 4 mm open jump rings
- End clasps
- Fold-over crimps - for our thin chain, we used a fold-over crimp with an eye for a 1mm chain
- Chain - we used a 0.7 mm chain

Ornament Materials:

- 6 - 10 lb FireLine beading thread
- #12 long beading needle
- 6 mm closed jump ring
- Ornament hook or ribbon

Brooch Materials:

- 6 - 10 lb FireLine beading thread
- #12 long beading needle
- 1" (25mm) pin back with self-adhesive - we purchased ours from Hobby Lobby
- (optional) G-S Hypo cement or E6000 glue