Beaded Owl Brooch or Pendant — Bead Embroidery PDF Tutorial

A fully bead embroidered owl worked on Lacy’s Stiff Stuff, wearing every colour you can pull from your stash — Hoot the Owl is a character-driven project that’s different every single time.

Starting from a traceable owl template included in the PDF, you fill in the body section by section using backstitch, crazy backstitch, and bugle bead wings to create a feathered texture. Crystal or metal disc eyes, a dagger bead beak, and graduating fringe tail feathers finish the piece. It can be made up as either a brooch or a necklace — hardware for both is listed. This is a great stash-buster project and an ideal next step for anyone wanting to move from basic stitching into a more expressive embroidery format.

This is an 11-page PDF tutorial with the owl template, full step-by-step instructions, and photos for every section of the build.

Bead list (suggested): 5g size 11 seed beads (two colours), 5g size 15 seed beads (two colours), 5g 3mm bugle beads, 2g size 8 seed beads, 2 × round metal disc beads (up to 1cm), 2 × 4mm crystals, 1 small leaf or dagger bead (beak). Optional: 5 × 4mm drop beads (tail), brooch back or 80cm chain + 2 jump rings (for necklace). Foundation: Lacy’s Stiff Stuff (12cm × 12cm), Ultrasuede (12cm × 12cm), EA600 glue.

Skill level: Intermediate. Techniques: Bead embroidery, beading backstitch, modified brick stitch edging, fringe, picot embellishment.

On A String is a small Australian beading business created by Paula — a beader, teacher, and maker who believes the craft is better when it’s shared. Every tool is designed from the beading table. Every tutorial is written from experience.