Pipe Cleaner Princess Tiara Tutorial

This is a tutorial I found in a book I recently borrowed from the library. I changed up some of the directions in the book. For example, the book says to use white pipe cleaners, coat them in glue & then sprinkle with glitter. BUT, I have found these fabulous silver pipe cleaners (a.k.a. chenille stems) at the dollar store & I have also seen gold ones.

So, anyway, the supplies you need are VERY minimal: 7 pipe cleaners & OPTIONAL: sequins or flat-backed jewels. I have used 12" pipe cleaners, the book calls for 10" ones. Either will work. My finished tiara was 5 1/2" tall & 3 1/2" across at the base.

You'll be making 3 separate pieces that will come together to make the tiara. For the FIRST piece, you'll take 5 pipe cleaners & bend them in half. Well, don't BEND them, but find the center point like this:

Then, make about a 1" loop at the top, twisting to secure.

Once all 5 pieces are done, lay them across each other like this....

Now, you'll twist the point where they meet. My finger is pointing to the area I'm talking about. Oh yeah, & I apologize in advance for my finger/thumb close-ups: hangnails, unkempt fingernails, etc.

The 5 pieces will look like this:

Now, for the SECOND piece. This will be the final top piece. Bend & twist ONE pipe cleaner like you did for the first 5, like this:

Now, you will twist 2 side loops...

...until it looks like this:

The THIRD piece will be formed by simply making a circle & twisting it to secure, like this:

Here is a picture of all 3 pieces:

For the piece with the 5 loops, you'll want to actually attach the ends to each other--twisting at the point where they intersect, just like you did with the other intersecting points.

Now take the bottom points & bend them up slightly, just about 1/2" or so.

Slip the circular piece onto all those little turned up bits. Does this make sense? The easiest way to do it is to actually secure one of the pip cleaners onto the circular piece & then you can slide all the other pieces around until you get them centered & even all the way around the tiara. When they are in the right spot, twist those turned up bits & secure them.

Your tiara might look wonky about now, so you can bend the tiara & form it to look nice & tidy.

Now, take the top piece & center it between two of the top loops. Secure this on by twisting the ends.

Take jewels or sequins & hot glue them onto your tiara.

I used bobby pins to hold the tiara onto my girls' heads.

You are now ready for your royal headgear. Rock on with your princess self!