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Want to learn how to make a beaded fan flower? This sweet little flower has five petals that sit one behind the other, kind of like a handheld fan. Every petal is made the same simple way, so it’s a great first flower if you’re new to wire beading.
This tutorial comes straight from my Beaded Flower Bouquet Part 2 video. Below you’ll find the bead counts, every step written out, and a link that jumps right to the fan flower so you can follow along with me.
Watch the Video 🎥
Jump straight to the fan flower: Beaded Fan Flower tutorial at 12:41
What You’ll Need 🧵
- Size 11 seed beads (about 2 mm) in your petal color, plus green for the stem. This small size is perfect for detail work like tulip petals. Check out the seed beads I use here
- Copper wire, about 0.3 mm thick. You’ll need about 12 inches. This thickness bends easily and still holds the flower’s shape. It comes in lots of colors, and I personally love gold. Check out the copper wire I use here
- Cutter pliers to trim your wire
- Loop pliers (round nose pliers) to make the little loop at the end of the stem. Beading tool kit (the pliers are a little different from the ones in my video)
- A felt bead mat (optional, but I highly recommend it). It keeps your beads from rolling everywhere, which saves you a lot of frustration.
The video doesn’t give an exact wire length for this flower. About 12 inches is my usual starting length, so you have plenty to work with.
How Many Beads Do You Need for a Beaded Fan Flower? 📋
| Part | Beads | How many |
|---|---|---|
| Each petal | 12 petal beads | 5 petals |
| Stem | About 22 green beads | 1 stem |
| Total | 60 petal beads + about 22 stem beads | About 82 beads |
That’s 5 petals of 12 beads (60 petal beads) plus about 22 green beads for the stem. Want a longer or shorter stem? Just add or remove a few green beads.
How to Make a Beaded Fan Flower 🌺
Step 1: Make the First Petal
- Add 12 seed beads in your petal color onto the wire.
- Slide them toward the end. I like to leave a little bit of space before forming the petal.
- Bring the wires together and twist a couple of times to secure it. That’s your first petal.
Step 2: Make 4 More Petals, Each Slightly Behind the Last
- Take one side of the wire and add 12 seed beads.
- Slide them down, then fold and twist to form your next petal.
- As you make each petal, place it slightly behind the previous one. This is what creates the fan.
- Repeat until you have 5 petals total.
Step 3: Fan Out the Petals
This is the important part! Arrange the petals so they sit one behind the other, fanning out like a handheld fan. Once you like the shape, bring the wires together and twist them to hold everything in place. Trim off any excess wire if needed, keeping the wire for your stem.
Step 4: Make the Stem
- Add your green seed beads. I usually add about 22, but you can adjust the length however you like.
- Use your loop pliers to bend the wire into a small loop at the end.
- Wrap the remaining wire around the loop a few times. This little stopper keeps the beads from ever falling off.
- Trim any extra wire.
And that’s it! Your fan flower is finished.
Tips for the Best Fan Flower ✨
- Overlap as you go. Tucking each new petal slightly behind the last one makes the fan shape much easier at the end.
- Looks round instead of fanned? Gently move the petals so each one sits a little behind the one before it, then twist.
- Shape before the final twist. Get your fan looking just right, then twist the wires to lock it in.
- Keep every petal at 12 beads. Even petals give you a neat, balanced fan.
- Craft safely. Tiny beads and cut wire ends aren’t for little ones, so keep an adult nearby if kids are helping.
Fan Flower Color Ideas 🎨
Try one color for a classic look, or make each petal a shade lighter than the last for a soft gradient fan. White, peach and pink all look sweet next to green stems.
Ways to Use Your Fan Flower 💐
- In a bouquet: Its flat, fanned shape looks lovely near the front of a bouquet, next to taller flowers like a snapdragon or lavender stem. My beaded flower bouquet guide shows how to wrap it all together.
- As a keychain or bag charm: Attach one to a keyring through the stem loop.
- As a gift topper: Twist it around the ribbon on a wrapped present.
More Beaded Flowers to Make 🌷
- Watch the full Part 1 – Beaded Flower Tutorial
- Watch the full Part 2 – Beaded Flower Tutorial
- Watch the full Part 3 – Beaded Flower Tutorial
What Color Will You Make Yours?
The fan flower is such a happy little project. It’s quick, it’s forgiving and it looks so sweet tucked into a bouquet. Grab your favorite colors and give it a try. I think you’ll be surprised how fast it comes together!
I’d love to see what you make! Tag me @pbjcreates on Instagram or Pinterest, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy beaded flower tutorials.
Bye for now, Prima from PBJ Creates 🧡