Circular Brick Stitch Daisy Flower [Perfect for Beginners]

 When I was first figuring out how to make this pretty beaded flower, I had to try 3 different ways before I got it right. Once I realized how easy it was, I thought I would make a garden full of flowers. Of course, I didn't and just moved on to the next project on my list. 

I figured today was the day I would make more - maybe a pretty red drop bead for the petals with yellow or white (or both) in the center. I was hoping for something resembling a poinsettia. But knowing my bead collection (and lack of organization), my backup plan was black petals, with orange or purple - a little Halloween themed fun. 

I did finally find the red beads to make this version.  Read on to find out how to make these beginner friendly flowers.

Here are two versions of the circular brick stitch daisy. The design worked so much better when I switched the direction of the drop beads.

Under the tutorial steps, I added more information on the supplies I used to make the red version of the daisy flower. I hope you will experiment with some additional colors and bead variations. I think this design is very flexible in terms of what beds you use. And you can share your variation with me and other jewelry makers on my Facebook group.

I made this component twice with Nymo thread size D (from the cone) and again with 6 lb. FireLine in Crystal.  I prefer using FireLine because it has more body and resulted in a tighter and slightly stiffer component.

The beads (quantities are approximate) I used are:

• (1) 6mm faceted opaque yellow crystal  bead (center)
• (12) 5mm x 7mm faceted white center drilled drop beads (petals)
• (25) Size 11 delica beads in antique gold

but like I said above, I think this flower will look great in other color combinations.

This project uses circular brick stitch surrounding the center (yellow) bead. Start the circular brick stitch by making a thread loop around the center bead. I like to go around each half of the bead twice because I think it makes my stitches more secure.

For the first stitch, string one delica, one drop bead starting with the longer, slender side and a second delica bead.

 Skip the delica bead and stitch back through the drop bead. This is similar to how to make straight fringe - you skip the last bead in a segment because it is a turn around bead.

Pull the thread tight and make sure the beads rest tightly together with no gaps.  I find the easiest way to do this is to grasp the beadwork by the turn-around bead and pull on the working thread to tighten.

Typically,, the first stitch in circular brick stitch uses two beads next to the center bead. That is still the case with this design - you are only halfway through the first stitch at this point.

To complete the first stitch, pick up one delica bead, stitch under the thread surrounding the center bead and back up the delica as you normally would in circular brick stitch.  Pull the thread to secure.

 Now you are finished with your first brick stitch.  For the next stitch, pick up one drop bead (skinny end first) and a delica bead.

 To secure the second petal beads, stitch back down through the drop bead, skipping the delica turn around bead. Pick up one more delica and stitch under the thread surrounding the center bead and then back up through the delica as you normally do in circular brick stitch.  Your second stitch is complete.  

 For each petal, repeat this process of picking up a drop bead and delica, stitching back down through the drop bead, pulling the beads close to the prior beads, picking up one more delica, stitching under the thread surrounding the center bead and back up through the delica to complete the stitch.

 One of the more challenging aspects of circular brick stitch is deciding whether or not to add one more bead to a round.  Sometimes, it will look like one more can fit, but if you add it, the project can be just a little too tight and buckle.

In this case, I have room for one more petal bead. 

After the petal is added, you still need to connect the row of delica beads surrounding the center. Stitch down the very first bead you added, under the thread surrounding the center bead and back up through the same bead to complete the round - and complete your flower component!

To tie off the threads, I stitched down the last delica bead and through the center hole to bring the thread to the other side where I had left a 6 inch tail.

Then I stitch through one delica on the other side, remove the needle and put it on the tail.

Stitch through the delica next to what was your working thread. Tie a small surgeon's knot to secure and trim the non-working thread.  Stitch back down through a delica and the center to conceal the knot and trim the working thread.

Here are the supplies for the red version of the daisy flower component.

For the red bead flower, I used WildFire instead of FireLine, the red drop beads are slightly larger, the center is a pearl bead and the first round of brick stitch and the tips of the petals are round toho beads.

To be precise, the list of materials (with links when I can find them) is:

• 1 yard 10 lb. WildFire beading thread in Frost (white)
• (10) 7 mm x 10 mm opaque red faceted glass drop beads (center drilled)
• (1) 6 mm glass pearl bead
• about 30 Toho size 11/0 round opaque luster (dark beige)

I recently scored a set of these vintage plates that I used for beading. I can't tell you how much I love using vintage plates for holding beads. This one is fabulous and a new favorite.

Here's one more look at the finished red bead flower.

 I think these will look great as pendants, earrings or stitch several together to make a bracelet. I am thinking of making a loomed bracelet and adding this as a clasp or focal. We'll see how that goes.

The daisy components are very quick to make and can be joined by adding jump rings in the hole of the delica bead at the end of the petals or by stitching the delica beads at the tips of the petals on two components together.

I hope you enjoy making these adorable flowers. Note that you don't need the exact beads I've used. You'll just need to experiment a little with different sizes.

A quick update on my jewelry making and tutorials. 

I wrote a wire wrap jewelry making book for beginners that is due in stores and online in late November, 2022 that I am very excited about. I hope you will at least look for it and would love it if you buy a copy. I'll add links to it when it is available.

Blogger (who hosts this website) will no longer automatically email you new articles, so I am considering changing to a monthly newsletter format that will include multiple projects, tutorials and tips. Another option is to continue sending emails as each article is posted. If you have a preference, let me know which and why in the comments.

I finally launched a website to sell my jewelry at shoplisayangjewelry. It is still a work in progress, but I will add more jewelry in between other projects (which there are a lot of right now!).

Enjoy your day!

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