Instructions

1. Sand the metal frame and paint it with the black spray paint (see figure 1). Let it dry overnight.
    
   
2. Measure the distance from the top ring to the bottom ring. Multiply the number by five and cut a length of 20-gauge wire to that measurement.
3. Wrap one end of the wire around the bottom ring so you have a 2" (5.1 cm) tail (see figure 2). Wrap the tail wire around the working wire three times to secure the loop (see figure 3). Use the pliers to help you make clean, tight wraps. Trim any excess tail wire.
    
   
    
   
4. Randomly string the beads onto the wire. Mix the shapes, sizes, and colors, placing two or three black beads on each wire. For some of the larger, flatter beads, pass the wire through the bead again to secure it (see figure 4), making sure you pull the wire tight against the bead.
    
   
5. Once the strand of beads is long enough to reach the top ring, snug all the beads, wrap the wire around the top ring, and secure it as you did in step 3. Trim any excess wire.
6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 all the way around the metal piece, checking as you go to make sure the beads from row to row don’t crowd each other or look too much alike.
7. To make a place for the votive to sit, wrap the end of an 8" (20.3 cm) length of 24-gauge wire around the bottom frame at a point that meets one of the vertical wires. Loop the wire around again so that it straddles the vertical wire. Twist the wire in place as you did in step 3 (see figure 5). Trim any excess tail wire.
    
   
8. String some of the smaller beads onto the wire until the strand reaches the opposite side of the frame. Secure the wire as before.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 as many times as needed, until you have a secure place for the votive to sit.