How to Make a Beaded Snapdragon

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Want to learn how to make a beaded snapdragon with seed beads and copper wire? This flower builds in layers, so it looks really pretty in a bouquet, and its tall shape adds lovely height and texture. It looks detailed, but you only use one simple petal technique, repeated 11 times. That makes it great practice if you’re new to wire beading.

In my Beaded Flower Bouquet Part 2 video, the snapdragon has three layers and 11 petals total, and every petal uses 10 seed beads. Below you’ll find the exact bead counts, every step written out, and a link that jumps right to the snapdragon so you can follow along with me.

Watch the Beaded Snapdragon Video 🎥

Jump straight to the snapdragon at 1:34

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.

How Many Beads Do You Need for a Beaded Snapdragon? 📋

Section	Petals	Beads
Top bud	3	30 petal beads
First stem section	n/a	4 green beads (on both wires)
Middle layer	4	40 petal beads
Second stem section	n/a	4 green beads (on both wires)
Bottom layer	4	40 petal beads
Finishing stem	n/a	About 15 green beads
Total	11 petals	About 133 beads

That’s 110 petal beads (11 petals of 10 beads each) plus about 23 green beads for the stem. The two short stem sections go onto both wires together, so it’s 4 beads total each time, not 4 beads per wire.

How to Make a Beaded Snapdragon 🌸

The snapdragon is built from the top down. First you make a small bud with 3 petals. Then you add two bigger layers of 4 petals each, with a short green stem section between every layer.

Step 1: Make the Top Bud (3 Petals)

Cut about 12 inches of copper wire.
Add 10 petal beads and slide them to the center. The easiest way is to fold the wire in half and guide the beads right into the middle.
Fold the wire to form a petal, then twist the ends together a few times to secure it. That’s your first petal.
Split the wires so you have one on each side. On one side, add 10 beads, slide them down, fold into a petal and twist.
Switch to the other wire and do the same: 10 beads, fold into a petal and twist.
Push the three petals upward so they sit together nicely. It will start to look like a little flower bud.

You now have 3 petals and 30 beads.

Step 2: Add the First Green Stem Section

Hold both wires together and add 4 green beads onto both wires at the same time.
Slide them down under the petals. This short green section separates the bud from the next layer.

Step 3: Make the Middle Layer (4 Petals)

This layer has 4 petals instead of 3: two on each wire.

Split the wires again.
On one side, add 10 beads, fold and twist to make a petal.
On that same wire, add 10 more beads and twist to make a second petal.
Do the same on the other wire: two petals of 10 beads each.
Arrange the four petals so they wrap nicely around the bud, and push everything upward so it looks full.
Hold both wires together and add 4 more green beads onto both wires for the next part of the stem.

You now have 7 petals and two short stem sections.

Step 4: Make the Bottom Layer (4 Petals)

Split the wires again and repeat what you just did.
Make two petals of 10 beads on one wire.
Make two petals of 10 beads on the other wire.
Arrange the petals around the stem just like before, and push them upward so everything sits nicely.

Your flower now has all 11 petals: 3 on top, 4 in the middle and 4 at the bottom. If it looks a little flat, gently lift the petals up toward the bud.

Step 5: Finish the Stem

Add more green seed beads to finish the stem. I usually add about 15, but you can eyeball it.
Once you’re happy with the length, use your loop pliers to make a small loop at the end.
Wrap the remaining wire around the loop. This little loop and wrap act as a stopper, so your stem beads can’t slide off.
Trim any extra wire.

And that’s it! Your beaded snapdragon is finished.

Tips for a Full, Layered Snapdragon ✨

Fold the wire in half to center your beads. It’s the quickest way to get your first 10 beads right in the middle.
Twist a few times, not just once. A few good twists keep each petal secure while you build the next layer.
Push each layer upward. Nudging the petals up toward the bud after every layer is what gives the snapdragon its full, stacked look.
Keep every petal at 10 beads. Matching counts keep the layers even and balanced.
Make a bunch. Snapdragons look pretty mixed into a bouquet, but if you make a bunch of them, they look great on their own, too.
Craft with care. Seed beads are tiny and cut wire ends can be sharp, so keep supplies away from little ones and give older kids a hand with the pliers.

Snapdragon Color Ideas 🎨

Try one color for all three layers for a classic look, or use a darker shade on the top bud and a lighter shade on the bottom layer for a soft ombre. Pink, purple, white and yellow all look lovely next to a green stem.

Ways to Use Your Beaded Snapdragon 💐

In a bouquet: Its height makes it perfect for the back or center of a mini bouquet. It pairs nicely with rounder flowers like a beaded tulip or rose. See my beaded flower bouquet guide for how to wrap everything together and add a beaded bow.
As a keychain or bag charm: Clip a single snapdragon or a small bunch to a keyring, and make sure the wire ends are wrapped securely. Find hardware ideas in my beaded flower keychain and bag charm ideas.
As a gift topper: Twist one onto the ribbon of a wrapped present.
On your desk: Pop a few into a tiny bud vase for flowers that never wilt.

More Beaded Flowers to Make 🌷

What Color Will You Make Yours? 🌸

Once you’ve made one snapdragon, you’ll see how easy it is to make a whole bunch in every color. Pick your favorite shades, put on a cozy show, and enjoy watching your little flower grow one layer at a time.

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 🧡