Aztec Lily- French Beaded Flower - The Art of Sculpting with Beads.

I first laid my eyes on this technique when I was browsing for some beading books in Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill, PA. One of the beading books I would love to own is Big Book of Beautiful Beads. It has an entire chapter dedicated on French Beaded Flowers. This was the technique created by European and French peasants when they collected discarded beads to create arrangements.

Aztec Lily- I was mesmerised by the Picture of this flower in that book. I thought it will make an impressive choice for a beginner. I made this flower and it adorns my sill in my Living Room. Many people think it is a real flower from a distance.

Materials Needed:

• Red Beads
• Green Beads
• Yellow or contrasting Colour Beads(I have used baby pink beads)
• 26- gauge beading wire
• 30- to 34-gauge wire(for lacing and assembly)
• 16-gauge wire for stem
• 1/2" green tape

Petals: Pointed tops, Rounded bottom

• Make 4- Red- 2 " basic, 11 Rows- leave 3 wires and twist
• Make 2-Red-2.5" basic, 7 Rows-leave 3 wires and twist

Stamens: Make 6- Yellow and Red

1.  Using yellow, make two 10 beaded Continuous loops.
2. Cut 6" of Wire. Cut the Short end of the wire to 1/2".
3. Put 2"of red beads on the longer part of the wire. Hold the short wire tight against the long wire and push the beads through both.
4. The Loops should be shaped to T
5. Add 1" of yellow beads. Make the other 5 the same way.

Pistil- Make 1 Yellow and Red

•  Using red beads, make three 8 bead Continuous loops.

1. Cut 6" of Wire. Cut the Short end of the wire to 1/2".
2. Put 2"of red beads on the longer part of the wire. Hold the short wire tight against the long wire and push the beads through both.
3. Add 1" of yellow beads.
4. Bend the loops down against the stalk to form a knob on the end of the pistil.

Leaves: Pointed Top, Rounded Bottom

•  Make 3 to 12- Green- 5" basic, 3 Rows- leave 3 wires and twist

Assembly:





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1.  Lace all leaves and Petals.( I have not laced- so it is not stiff as it should be).
2. Lightly tape the stem wire.
 
3. Hold the stamens and pistil together. Twist the bare wires so as the beads are tight.
4. Twist the 1" bottom yellow beads/ contrasting beads into a spiral, leaving the red portion loose.
5. Stack 3 of the larger petals facing up and twist the wires. Slide the petals into a fan shape. Make a trough and place the stamen-pistil assembly in the trough and twist the wires.
6. Stack the remaining petals with the large one in the center. Twist the wires and make a fan shape. Attach the 2 petal groups with the stem wire.
7. Position the leaves about 6" from the bottom of the stem wire and wire then in place. Tape the stem wire.
8. The stem wire is bend so that the blossom hangs in a drooping position.