Miss Firecracker

Jo Porter's fun and fancy tiara is the perfect accessory to usher in the new year!

Jo Porter, Project Designer

Choose glitzy designs and fiery colours to make your new year go with a bang!

It's time to go all out as we welcome the arrival of 2010, and what could be more glamorous than this fabulous tiara. Inspired by the fireworks that will mark the end of the traditional countdown, this design features curls of silver wire decorated with pearls in fiery reds, mauves and lilac. All together now; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

Firework Tiara

1. Cut five varying lengths of 1mm wire between 12cm and 25cm. Grip the end of one of the strands with round-nosed pliers and curl over, then wind the rest of the wire into a loose spiral. Repeat with the remaining four pieces. Cut a 50cm length of 0.4mm wire.
2. Secure each of the five 1mm spirals to the centre of the tiara base, by holding the uncurled end against the head band and wrapping the 0.4mm wire around them both. Arrange so that they spiral in different directions, creating a firework effect.
3. Cut 1m of 0.4mm wire and beginning at one end of the tiara base, wind this tightly and neatly along it, as close together as possible. Thread a tiny pearl of your choice onto the wire, about a quarter of the way along, then continue wrapping.
4. Keep picking up different colours and sizes of beads wherever you want them and carry on until you reach the opposite end of the base. Repeat this technique on the five spirals, using more lengths of 0.4mm wire as required. Try alternating small and medium pearls along the band and spirals, with a cluster of large pearls in the middle of the tiara.