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I've always thought ladybugs were such cheerful little creatures. They're a welcome sight in the garden, and I know quite a few gardeners and nature lovers who would enjoy having one around all year long. This ladybug pony bead pattern makes a cute little beaded critter that doesn't need a garden to feel right at home!
Ladybugs have long been considered a sign of good luck. I don't know that a little pony bead ladybug can bring anyone good fortune, but I certainly wouldn't mind giving someone a little extra luck! Imagine giving one to a friend starting a new job, someone moving into a new home, or a gardener hoping for a wonderful growing season. Even if the luck doesn't arrive, at least they'll have a cheerful little ladybug friend to enjoy.
I can imagine this pony bead ladybug decorating a garden wreath, dangling in a greenhouse window among all those growing plants, or hanging from a flowerpot. It could add a little charm to a gardener's gift basket, too. And for those of us who can't spend as much time in the garden as we'd like, a beaded ladybug keychain is a fun way to take a little bit of the garden with us wherever we go.
Hang one on your garden shed, add one to a spring wreath, or attach one to a gift package. I think I'd have more ideas for using them than time to make them!
If you make this project please share your photos with us. With your permission we'll add it to the page and credit it to you.
BJ's Craft Supplies has been family owned and operated since 1985. That's more than 40 years of helping crafters find the supplies they need for projects of every kind.
1 - Lanyard Hook
OR
1 - Key Ring
Cord - Approximately 2 yards
There are lots of different types of cord you can use for your beaded ladybug. Of the cords we've tried, flat plastic lacing such as Rexlace (also called boondoggle or plastic lace) seems to work best for helping the beads sit neatly together and keeping your finished ladybug in shape. Round cord about 1 1/2mm to 2mm thick also works well. If you choose a thinner cord, you can weave a little wire or a pipe cleaner into your ladybug if it doesn't hold its shape well.
Helpful Hint: If your cord ends fray easily, try dipping them into a little melted wax and smoothing them out with your fingers. This helps prevent fraying and creates stiffer ends for threading through your beads.
2mm Metallic Cord
27 - Black Pony Beads
37 - Red Pony Beads
Glue (We used super glue.)
Scissors
Ruler or Measuring Tape
Optional - Beading Wire
OR
Pipe Cleaner
1. Thread your cord through the base of your lanyard hook or key ring, then bring the ends together so they are even. Thread both cord ends through a clear pony bead and slide the bead up against the connector. This bead helps keep the cords together and provides a neat starting point for your ladybug.
2. Using the ladybug bead diagram to the right, begin weaving the rows beneath the clear bead. Thread the beads for the first row onto one cord, then pass the other cord back through those same beads from the opposite direction. Pull both cords until the beads sit together beneath the clear bead.
Note: The tension of your cord does make a difference. The rows should sit snugly together without being pulled so tightly that your ladybug begins to curl or twist. If a row doesn't sit straight, loosen it, straighten the beads, and pull the slack out again.
3. Continue working down through the ladybug pattern, following the bead colors and cord paths in the diagram.
4. If your ladybug doesn't hold it's shape well you can weave a piece of pipe cleaner or wire through one of the widest rows to help it hold its shape. You may find that a thicker cord provides enough support without adding anything else. Either way is fine, so use whichever method works best with your choice of cord.
5. I always try to make the tie-off knots as inconspicuous as possible. Sometimes that means doing a little extra weaving, so here are two ways to finish your ladybug. You can decide which one you prefer:
Tie the cords together securely using a surgeon's knot or a double knot. Apply a small drop of glue to the knot to prevent the knot from coming untied during use. Trim the excess cord after the glue has dried.
Your pony bead ladybug is ready to enjoy! Hang it on a garden wreath, in a greenhouse window, on a flowerpot, or from a gardener's gift basket. You can even share her with your other gardening friends or her as a beaded ladybug keychain and take a little bit of the garden with you wherever you go.
The illustration below shows the ladybug bead pattern and cord paths. Click the smaller diagram to see the larger version.
Make a pair of earrings using this pattern with seed beads or E beads and a small gauge wire instead of the pony beads and cord.
Looking for a cute little ladybug to make with pony beads? Here are two different ladybug patterns to try. Choose your favorite or make both!
