free-standing so the wings of the medium butterfly are bent upwards. Use the clothes pegs/pins to hold the top and bottom of the butterfly bodies in place, until the glue dries.

12 Our large double-sided crystal at the bottom of the mobile was a modified Christmas tree decoration. Use a needle and thread to attach the tassel to the bottom of the double-sided crystal through the loop at the top of the tassel.

 

13 Use the beading needle and a yard
of thread to re-thread the four stands
of amethyst cut crystal beads. Start by
attaching the 6mm split ring to the top of
the beads and then start and finish each
strand with a gold spacer bead.

14 Beading sequence: split ring, spacer bead, strand of amethyst cut crystals, two spacer beads, amethyst strand, two spacer beads, amethyst strand, two spacer beads, amethyst strand finishing with a spacer bead. Do not unthread the needle.

 

15 Lay the beaded strand on a flat surface with a 2in gap between the double spacer beads. Make sure the first spacer bead is up tight against the split ring, and that one of the double spacer beads is up close to the top and bottom of the butterfly body. Lay the 2in of thread down the centre of the right side of a large butterfly (with a small one glued to the back of it) and then glue (down the body only) a medium-sized butterfly (wrong side to right side of large butterfly) over the thread and large butterfly. Hold bodies together at the top and bottom with a clothes peg/pin until the glue is dry. Repeat this process for the two remaining butterflies.

 

16 Finish the mobile off by stitching the double-sided crystal and tassel to the bottom of the fourth length of cut crystal beads below the last spacer bead. Make sure the strand is firm but allows movement so the butterflies spin in the breeze.

Robbie and Jenny are now vying with each other as to
who keeps this mobile as they both love it – we think
Cooper-Jay’s mum Kim, who is also addicted to the beauty
of butterflies, will end up with it to keep the peace!