How to Make Geckos & Other Bead Animals
- 1). Find your pattern. There are several different animals that you can make using beads. The most common ones are geckos, but once you get the pattern down, it is easy to make other animals. Several websites offer free patterns for beading (see references). When you find a pattern you like, print it out to follow it easily.
- 2). Gather the supplies to make the gecko. You can use any kind of floss, thin string or craft lace. Craft lace does keep its shape better. Find scissors, and a key ring or clip for the gecko. Finally, you will need pony beads. The pattern will specify how many beads you will need. When choosing the colors, figure out what you would like the gecko to look like. Think about the different variations you can add to the gecko, and keep these changes in mind when counting out the colored beads.
- 3). Assemble your gecko. Start by cutting a 2 yard length of craft lace. Fold it in half to find the middle. Thread one end of the lace through your key ring or clip, and move the key ring or clip to the center. About an inch below the key ring, tie a knot with both pieces of lace, to hold the key ring in place. Take one bead for the body color and thread it on one end of the lace. Push the bead to the top of the knot under the key ring. Take the other end of the craft lace, and put it through the hole going through the opposite way to the first string. This will turn your bead sideways, and your lace will be coming out of both sides. This is the basic stringing pattern you will use.
- 4). Lace your gecko. By following your pattern, finish lacing the number of beads for each row. Add two different colored beads where the eyes are located for an added effect. When threading the limbs, you will use only one strand of the lace for each arm and each leg. The right arm and leg is made by just using the lace on the right, and the same for the left. You will add the number of the beads you will need for the arm and fingers on one strand. You will then turn your lace and come back through the beads meant for the arm. This will make the fingers tight and make them point out. Lace each arm this way. Continue to lace your gecko, lacing each leg the way that you did the arms. When you get to the tail, you will continue to lace the beads, but one by one, to create the tail. When you have the desired length tail, knot the end. This will complete the gecko.
Source...