How to Make a Wire Crown (DIY Elven Tiara Tutorial)

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How to Make a Wire Crown (DIY Elven Tiara Tutorial)

Learn how to make a wire wrapped crown or Elven tiara, perfect for dressing up, costumes, cosplay or every day wear.

These gorgeous wire crowns are my favorite accessory!

Let me walk you through one crown style and then you can get creative and make all the crowns your heart desires.

FYI: I am not a model, just an enthusiastic crafter that no longer has kids to force to model.

If you are interested in a crown but don't want to make your own, check out the ones I have listed.

I will not be listing more, limited time--get them while they are available!

I made them in rose gold, yellow gold and silver.

I have a few varieties of crowns.

When I started making these wire wrapped tiara's, I needed practice to get the shapes right, so I ended up making 18 wire crowns...a bit more than I need!

Learn how to make a Wedding Tiara with wire

If you know me, or if you have been following me here over the past decade or so, you'll know I love dressing up.

When my kids were little I would wear a tiara on my birthday and insist everyone do all the work and call me "your majesty".

I don't wear jewelry or even a wedding ring...but I love an over the top crown.

Making these wire crowns has been so much fun!

If you know me, or if you have been following me here over the past decade or so, you'll know I love dressing up. When my kids were little I would wear a tiara on my birthday and insist everyone do all the work and call me "your majesty". I don't wear jewelry or even a wedding ring...but I love an over the top crown. Making these wire crowns has been so much fun!

Supplies Needed for Wire Crown DIY:

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100 feet of wire will make about 5 to 8 crowns depending on complexity.

The crown I am demonstrating here takes 13.5 feet of wire.

Again, if you don't want to invest in all the supplies for making crowns, click the link to my shop.

Step 1: Cutting Wire Lengths

Begin by unrolling the 12 gauge craft wire of your color choice, until you have a 50-55 inches.

Then cut the piece of wire gently with the flush cutters so that the cut will be flat and smooth instead of leaving a sharp nipped edge.

Repeat the measuring out and cutting of wire so you have 3 pieces of the same length of wire.

Step 2: Fold in Half

Now take one of the cut wire pieces and put the ends of the wire together and gently slide your hand over them to find the center of the wire.

Pinch the wire together at the center.

Step 2: Fold in Half Now take one of the cut wire pieces and put the ends of the wire together and gently slide your hand over them to find the center of the wire. Pinch the wire together at the center.

Now use the ball peen hammer to gently hammer the center of the soft wires together to make a tight fold.

Step 3: Wire Loops

Next take the 2 other pieces of 12 gauge wire and find the centers, this time creating a loop right in the middle.

Thread the folded wire in between the loop wires to create the front of the crown.

Take the 2 wires forming the loops and twist a loop on each side of the center loop, making sure to go in the opposite direction on the left side, so the loops are symmetrical.

All the next steps are doing to one side of the wires the same thing as the other side of the wires...in a mirrored fashion.

Now add another loop to each side of the little wire crown.

Again, twist the loop on the left side to mirror the loop on the left side.

Step 4: More Points

Now take the first piece of wire and make points like the first one on each side of the center one, lined up with the wires that loop.

Then make a loop around the point to hold the 3 pieces of wire all together.

Repeat the same loop in the reflection on the other side of the crown.

Then create another point and loop the loopy wires around that point as well, on both sides of the crown.

Step 5: End Loops

After all these points and loops there is only about 6-8 inches left on the end of the wire, so it is time to create the ends of the crown.

Take the 2 loopy wires and create one final loop about 3 inches from the last loop.

Then wrap the wires tightly around themselves about 3 times.

Step 5: End Loops After all these points and loops there is only about 6-8 inches left on the end of the wire, so it is time to create the ends of the crown. Take the 2 loopy wires and create one final loop about 3 inches from the last loop. Then wrap the wires tightly around themselves about 3 times.

Trim of the ends of the wire with the wire cutters to make a smooth cut.

Then use the excess wire from the points and loop it around the 3 inches or so that are empty, just creating symmetry on both sides of the crown.

Step 6: Shaping the Crown

Now set the crown base on the table and gently shape the wires into a circular crown shape.

The wire is sturdy, but easy to mold and shape.

Step 7: Adding Chain

Now to make the crown adjustable, add a length of 6 inches of chain from one loop of the crown end to the other.

Use the jewelry pliers to link the chain on.

Then use the jewelry pliers to fasten a jump ring and a lobster clasp onto the chain about 2 inches from the end of the crown.

Once that is secure, use the flush cutters to cut of the link of chain right before the one that has the lobster clasp on it.

Or use jewelry pliers to open it, slide the jump ring off of it and close it again.

Then use the jewelry pliers to fasten a jump ring and a lobster clasp onto the chain about 2 inches from the end of the crown. Once that is secure, use the flush cutters to cut of the link of chain right before the one that has the lobster clasp on it. Or use jewelry pliers to open it, slide the jump ring off of it and close it again.

Now the circumference of the crown can be adjusted to fit exactly how and where you want it.

Incidentally, I love seeing all my tinsel gray hairs in this picture!

Step 8: Adding Rhinestones

Finally, add sparkly shimmery rhinestones to the crown!

These tear drop rhinestones are my favorite and the perfect finishing touch to any crown or tiara.

Just use a dab of E6000 glue on the wire crown and place the tear drop rhinestone on top of it.

I wouldn't recommend hot glue gun and hot glue because they will just pop off after it cools.

E6000 glue takes about 4 hours to dry completely, so I use painters tape and clothespins to hold everything in place during the drying process.

Wrap the painters tape over the rhinestone, front and back, the E6000 won't stick to the tape.

Then clip a clothespin over the tape to hold the rhinestone in place while it dries.

Repeat the gluing, taping and pinning process for all the rhinestones you desire.

Then set the crown aside to dry.

After about 2-3 hours you can remove the clothespins and tape and make sure it's setting right.

If there is a correction that needs to be made, it's easy to peel off the rhinestone and glue it again.

Repeat the gluing, taping and pinning process for all the rhinestones you desire. Then set the crown aside to dry. After about 2-3 hours you can remove the clothespins and tape and make sure it's setting right. If there is a correction that needs to be made, it's easy to peel off the rhinestone and glue it again.

Ta Da--one gorgeous crown!

Here's the finished rose gold with the point and loop headpiece designs.

I think this is the simplest crown to start with and then you can get super creative and make so many varieties of delicate wire tiaras, crowns, and coronets!

Here's one of my favorite crowns, I made it with thinner wire, 14 gauge.

I used 4 wires to begin so I could get that teardrop loop in front and I had a great time just looping wires until I got something lovely that works.

I have a few varieties of crowns in my etsy shop, check them out here.

You can add crystal beads or gold beads on the wires while you are looping them, but I love the simple loops, points and adding rhinestones afterwards.

Make them your own style! Make them in every shade of aluminum wire too!

Use gold chain and lobster clasps on the gold crowns and silver for the silver ones.

Honestly, you can use silver on all of them that you make...you can mix your metallic colors because they are all considered neutrals.

Create this crown with 3 wires as described above, but leaving the folded point wire in loops instead, otherwise the process is exactly the same!

Get as fancy as you like!

Add little rhinestones to the points of the crown if you want--one can never have too much sparkle!

Create this crown with 3 wires as described above, but leaving the folded point wire in loops instead, otherwise the process is exactly the same! Get as fancy as you like! Add little rhinestones to the points of the crown if you want--one can never have too much sparkle!

Great for costumes, cosplay or every day wear!

Learn how to loop and twist wire to make a gorgeous and substantial crown, perfect for that Elf costume, Lord of the Rings cosplay, or other fandom fantasy outfit.

Great for a Renaissance Fair, Bridal Wedding tiara or just for wearing around the house with sweats on.

Trust me, these crowns are comfortable and great for all day wear, lightweight and not too snug.

Learn how to loop and twist wire to make a gorgeous and substantial crown, perfect for that Elf costume, Lord of the Rings cosplay, or other fandom fantasy outfit. Great for a Renaissance Fair, Bridal Wedding tiara or just for wearing around the house with sweats on. Trust me, these crowns are comfortable and great for all day wear, lightweight and not too snug.

That's it!

I hope this tutorial of step-by-step instructions gives you the confidence to try making your own wire crown or tiara. Be sure to watch the video as a movie is worth a thousand pictures!

I found that I kept getting progressively better in making crowns...imagine that, practice--right?

So don't get discouraged making your first, just keep working at it and you'll have it figured out and so many more ideas too.

Make a wire crown, perfect for Elvish fantasy costumes, using 12 gauge wire and a few rhinestones today!

Like, Pin and Save!

I hope this tutorial of step-by-step instructions gives you the confidence to try making your own wire crown or tiara. Be sure to watch the video as a movie is worth a thousand pictures! I found that I kept getting progressively better in making crowns...imagine that, practice--right? So don't get discouraged making your first, just keep working at it and you'll have it figured out and so many more ideas too. Make a wire crown, perfect for Elvish fantasy costumes, using 12 gauge wire and a few rhinestones today!

Check out my etsy shop for more wire wrap crown designs and ideas--or to buy one if you just don't feel like making one.

Here's a few more fun Crown Tutorials in case this isn't quite what you are looking for:

How to Make a Flower Crown DIY Tutorial (Silk Floral)

Learn how to make a flower crown with faux flowers!

A beautiful flower crown is bright, vibrant and easy to make--perfect for a stunning boho look!

There are so many fun reasons to wear a DIY floral crown!

How to Make a Flower Crown with Fake Flowers: I used a combination of florals, picking different flower arrangements for different styles and color schemes. I made these to fit the size of my head, but they can be altered for the circumference of your head and work great for little heads too. Plus they can be tightened or slightly loosened to make it the perfect snugness. This type of crown is absolutely comfortable to wear and can be worn all day without head pressure, it's a great time to wear a floral wreath crown! Here's the full step-by-step guide for this simple project with a few easy steps.

Greek Goddess Costume DIY!

Hi friends! It's Natalie sharing a Greek Goddess costume that is perfect for Halloween costumes, fandom convention cosplay or just for a fun themed photo shoot or event.

I love dressing up and love to dress up all during September and October--just because! I love showing how to make simple costumes that are low cost.

I wore this Greek Goddess costume to church and got lots of attention!

My local congregation is getting used to me dressing up for church regularly during the year. Might as well keep it fun--right?