Crafts Decorate Tutorials. May 25th, 2026

How to Make Beaded Suncatcher Globe

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Create a round wire form from a string a beads and attach adorable charms to make DIY crystal butterfly suncatcher with glass beads. This adorable hanging reflects rainbow colors in your home for an enchanted experience when the sunlight enters the window where it is hanging.

Let’s learn how to make a beaded suncatcher globe with charms and beads that you like:

Materials:

Gold jewelry wire 20-gauge (dead soft or half-hard)
Thin craft wire 26-gauge
Glass or acrylic flowers
Enamel or stain glass butterfly charm
Tear-drop or faceted briolettes crystal prisms
Glass beads in assorted 4mm-8mm rounds
Wire cutter and plier for assembly

Step-by-Step Instructions for Beginners

1. Create the Structural Rings

The globe effect is created by interlocking three to four wire circles.
Cut three equal lengths of 20-gauge wire (about 12–15 inches depending on desired size).
Insert glass beads on assorted colors and sizes. At this point they move around the circle.
Form each into a clean circle. Overlap the ends by an inch and use your flat-nose pliers to wrap the ends tightly around the main loop to secure them.

Pro Tip: Use a round object like a large jar or coffee tin as a mandrel to ensure your circles are perfectly round.

2. Assemble the Sphere

Slide the rings inside one another to form a cage or sphere shape.
At the top and bottom poles where all wires meet, use a 6-inch piece of 26-gauge wire to wrap around all intersections multiple times. This locks the 3D shape in place.
Leave a loop at the very top for hanging.

3. Prepare the Central Butterfly

Cut a length of wire that will hang vertically through the center of your sphere.
Attach your butterfly charm to the middle of this wire using a wrapped loop technique.
Slide a few accent beads above and below the butterfly. Attach this wire to the top and bottom poles of your sphere so the butterfly floats in the center.

4. Add the Floral and Bead Accents

Using E6000 set the inserted beads in position. Let it set.
Using the thinner 26-gauge wire, sew your glass flowers and other beads onto the exterior rings.
Wrap the thin wire three times around the structural ring, thread a bead/flower, then wrap three more times on the other side. This prevents the beads from sliding around the circle.
Space them out organically to mimic a climbing vine.

5. Hang the Prisms

Attach your heaviest crystal prisms (the teardrops) to the bottom of the sphere and on short dangles hanging from the inner wires. These provide the weight necessary to keep the suncatcher hanging straight.

Note for Beginners: If your wire becomes kinked, pull it through a piece of nylon-jaw pliers or a soft cloth to straighten it before starting. Smooth wire makes for a much more professional-looking final product!

Commonly Asked Questions

1. How do you clean your beaded globe?

Do not submerge the curtain in water, as this can weaken the line over time. Instead, use a feather duster or a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the beads. For a deeper clean, a light mist of water and vinegar can restore the shine to glass crystals.

2. How do you get your suncatcher to make rainbows?

The rainbow effect comes from faceted lead crystal or high-quality K9 glass prisms. Look for AB coated (Aurora Borealis) crystals to get the most vibrant color reflections.

3. What is the best wire for suncatchers?

For structural integrity, 20-gauge wire is the gold standard. It is thick enough to hold its shape but flexible enough to manipulate with hand tools. For intricate beadwork, 26-gauge is best as it fits through small bead holes easily.

Here are some more creative ways to make beaded suncatchers:

Learn to make beaded curtain