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If you like doing precise detail work on a small scale, you'll love taking these blown glass beads to the next level with narrow Dresden borders and stars. Fancy embellished beads look beautiful incorporated into garlands or made into ornaments.
Supplies: narrow Dresden borders (DFW214, DFW203, DFW209, DFW00, DFW0, DFW195) and Dresden stars (DFW276, DFW852), glass beads, clear-drying glue like Aleene's Tacky Glue, scissors, damp sponge or paper towel, Q-tips
The concept is simple: glue Dresden stars and borders onto glass beads.
Step 1: Assemble supplies: Trim apart Dresden stars and border strips. Gather beads.
Step 2: Pair Dresdens with beads: Decide which colors look best together. Wrap borders around beads to determine lengths and cut leaving 1/16" of overlap.
Step 3: Gently glue Dresdens in place: Apply glue evenly but sparingly along length of Dresden border. Any excess glue can be smoothed with a Q-tip so no glue bulges out when border is applied to bead. Glue trim in desired place. Starting at a side seam or other mould mark helps hide trim ends. Press 1/16" overlap gently to secure. Excess glue can be carefully swiped with a damp Q-tip.
If adding stars: glue in place and let dry. Stars look good individually, in clusters or stacked in graduated sizes.
Step 4: Once dry, use beads to create ornaments, incorporate into garlands or make icicle drops.
Tips:
• Try to place borders in the desired location on the first try: Placing and lifting repeatedly can lift the color off the bead as the glue begins to set up.
• Single-sided Dresden borders work best (pieces with foil on only one side). Antique gold and silver are produced on thinner papers and bend around small curves well. Colored Dresden (light green, dark blue, light purple) are produced on slightly thicker paper but still yield a beautiful result.
• Keep a damp sponge or paper towel on hand to keep finger tips free from glue.
• Curl or bend Dresden borders before gluing to make application easier.
• Use existing designs on beads as a guide: glue borders along stripes and grooves.
• Round beads look classic and retro with a simple band in antique gold or silver. We especially like border DFW195.
• If embellishing matte beads, take particular care to keep gluing precise. Any excess glue will show on the matte finish as a glossy area. Carefully wipe up any excess glue with a damp Q-tip.
Details of our favorites are illustrated below:
Classic barrel beads (item number GB014) and ribbed barrels (item number GB006) each have flat center areas ideal for embellishing with a multitude of different Dresden border options. Antique gold and silver give an elegant and classic look when paired with colorful beads. Colorful borders look striking on colorful beads -- try paring green + pink or blue + aqua. Adding a colorful border to a gold or silver bead adds a touch of whimsy and interest -- try pairing gold + light purple or gold + dark blue. Borders we used on the beads below: DFW214, DFW203, DFW209, DFW00, DFW0, DFW195.
Round beads take on a variety of different looks depending on the trims used.
25mm beads: Add a banded border like DFW195 for a clean and elegant look. Embellish further with stars. Stack two stars like on the 25mm red bead below: DFW852 in silver + DFW276 in antique gold makes a beautiful tiny layered medallion. Further embellish with a cluster of stars like the 25mm pearl green bead below: stack stars and add two additional stars in antique gold on either side to make a cluster. Another beautiful look is to space 4 small stars equal distance apart across a fancy border like the 25mm pearl rose bead below. Borders we used on 25mm beads: DFW195, DFW0.
18mm beads: DFW195 is pleasingly retro when added to an 18mm bead and looks striking on both shiny and matte finish beads. Other fancy borders like DFW0 or DFW209 look elegant and specialty. Adding stars or stacked stars over a border gives the opportunity to really customize a look. Alternatively, forego a border and add a set of stacked stars on each side of a bead for a pretty snowflake medallion look. Borders we used on 18mm beads: DFW195, DFW0, DFW203, DFW209.
Faceted beads (item number GB073 lend themselves well to the application of a simple border as well as a border + individual star. We used borders DFW0, DFW195, DFW209 and DFW00. For stars we used DFW852. Use the facets to line borders up in the center of the bead.
Long drop beads (item number GB053) have a trio of grooved stripes that act as a guide for adding borders. Place a mix of three borders over the grooves or place two wider borders between the grooves, like the hot pink drop below. Borders DFW214, DFW209 and DFW203 fit over grooves nicely. DFW195 is a good option for between grooves.
Larger beads look especially elegant and resemble small ornaments when embellished with a mix of Dresden borders and stars. We used border DFW195 + four groups of stacked stars on the quilted eggs below (item number GB337). For the oblong textured bead in silver below (item number GB215) we added border DFW195 + 2 sets of stacked stars (one on top and one on bottom) + 2 individual stars (one on each side between the stacked stars). Another option is to add only a border + 2 stars (one on top and one on bottom).
A larger banded floral barrel (item number GB217) looks fancy with border DFW214 placed at the edges of the blue center with individual stars placed over the flower design.
With a multitude of bead colors and Dresden border combinations, there are scores of possibilities for customization and making sets of beads to coordinate with specific decor and color schemes. Let your imagination guide you!
Item No. DFW63AG
Two sheets of 66 classic Dresden stars for a total of 132 stars. Each measures 1/4". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW63BK
Two sheets of 66 classic Dresden stars for a total of 132 stars. Each measures 1/4". Glossy black paper on front, matte black paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW63G
Two sheets of 66 classic Dresden stars for a total of 132 stars. Each measures 1/4". Gold foil on front, off white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW63PK
Two sheets of 66 classic Dresden stars for a total of 132 stars. Each measures 1/4". Pink foil on front and reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW63R
Two sheets of 66 classic Dresden stars for a total of 132 stars. Each measures 1/4". Red foil on front, off white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW63S
Two sheets of 66 classic Dresden stars for a total of 132 stars. Each measures 1/4". Silver foil on front, off white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW203AG
15 strips each measuring 22" long of petite rope twist Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW203DKB
15 strips each measuring 22" long of petite rope twist Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Dark blue foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW203LG
15 strips each measuring 22" long of petite rope twist Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Light green foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW203LPU
15 strips each measuring 22" long of petite rope twist Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Light purple foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW203R
15 strips each measuring 22" long of petite rope twist Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Red foil on front, off white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW203S
15 strips each measuring 22" long of petite rope twist Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Silver foil on front, tan paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW214AG
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of petite beveled Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW214DKB
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of petite beveled Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Dark blue foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW214LG
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of petite beveled Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Light green foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW214LPU
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of petite beveled Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Light purple foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW214S
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of petite beveled Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Silver foil on front, tan paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW852AG
Sheet of 240 classic Dresden stars, each measuring 5/16" across (just over 1/4"). Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW852B
Sheet of 240 classic Dresden stars, each measuring 5/16" across (just over 1/4"). Glossy black on front, beige paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW852DKB
Sheet of 240 classic Dresden stars, each measuring 5/16" across (just over 1/4"). Dark blue foil on front, white paper on the back. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW852G
Sheet of 240 classic Dresden stars, each measuring 5/16" across (just over 1/4"). Gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW852LG
Sheet of 240 classic Dresden stars, each measuring 5/16" across (just over 1/4"). Light green foil on front, white paper on the back. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW852LPU
Sheet of 240 classic Dresden stars, each measuring 5/16" across (just over 1/4"). Light purple foil on front, white paper on the back. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW852R
Sheet of 240 classic Dresden stars, each measuring 5/16" across (just over 1/4"). Red foil on front, off white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW852S
Sheet of 240 classic Dresden stars, each measuring 5/16" across (just over 1/4"). Silver foil on front, tan paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW0AG
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of super petite decorative raised dot border, for a total of 330". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on back. One of our smallest borders of all, this trim measures just under 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW0DKB
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of super petite decorative raised dot border, for a total of 330". Dark blue foil on front, white paper on back. One of our smallest borders of all, this trim measures just under 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of super petite decorative raised dot border, for a total of 330". Gold foil on front, white paper on back. One of our smallest borders of all, this trim measures just under 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW0LPU
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of super petite decorative raised dot border, for a total of 330". Light purple foil on front, white paper on back. One of our smallest borders of all, this trim measures just under 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW0LG
12 strips each measuring 27-1/2" long of super petite decorative raised dot border, for a total of 330". Light green foil on front, white paper on back. One of our smallest borders of all, this trim measures just under 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW276AG
Sheet of 102 miniature Dresden flowers, each measuring 3/8". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW276BK
Sheet of 102 miniature Dresden flowers, each measuring 3/8". Glossy black paper on front, matte black paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW276G
Sheet of 102 miniature Dresden flowers, each measuring 3/8". Gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW276LG
Sheet of 102 miniature Dresden flowers, each measuring 3/8". Light green foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW276LPU
Sheet of 102 miniature Dresden flowers, each measuring 3/8". Light purple foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW276R
Sheet of 102 miniature Dresden flowers, each measuring 3/8". Red foil on front, matte off white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW276SB
Sheet of 102 miniature Dresden flowers, each measuring 3/8". Steel blue foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW209AG
12 strips each measuring 21" long of super petite decorative dot and flower border, for a total of 126". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on back. One of our smallest borders, this trim measures just under 1/8" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW00AG
12 strips each measuring 21" long of super petite decorative dot border, for a total of 126". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on back. One of our smallest borders, this trim measures just under 1/8" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW209DKB
12 strips each measuring 21" long of super petite decorative dot and flower border, for a total of 126". Dark blue foil on front, white paper on back. One of our smallest borders, this trim measures just under 1/8" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.