How to Bead a Daisy Chain

This week, for our weekly Kid's Summer Craft Club, the girls learned how to make beaded daisy chains. This is one of those things I think everyone learned as a kid but me- I learned in England from my wonderfully artistic Sister-in-Law, Jenna. It is literally the only thing I know to do with seed beads besides just stringing them but they are so cute. I couldn't wait to show the girls! Here are the basics:
I will be using pony beads and plastic thread for this tutorial so you can see what's being done easier. The younger girls used these as they are perfect for little hands, but for older girls, I think seed beads and a needle and beading thread are the best. For each section you will need the following beads (of course, feel free to change up the colors): To begin, take a green bead and thread the end around and through it to make it secure so you don't have to worry about the beads falling off the end.
Add 2 (or more) green beads for your "stem". Then begin your flower by threading four yellow "petal" beads and 1 purple "center" bead.
Bring your thread through the first yellow "petal" bead (the one next to the green bead) and pull all the way through.
Be sure to make sure the beads are all nice and squeezed up together when it is all pulled together like so:
Add the last 2 "petal" beads...
...and thread the end through the bead next to the purple "center" bead that is NOT attached to the green "stem" beads.
Pull it nice and taught (but don't pull too tight- just snug). Then begin the process again.
Let's magically push the "transparency" button to see how the thread works inside the daisy. Abra-Cadabra! A la Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches!
Just continue the pattern until you reach the desired length. Then finish it how you choose. For Abby's bracelet, we tied off the ends and threaded them back through the beads.
Didn't it turn out cute? I was surprised at how quickly she was able to pick it up. She is six and only needed to be shown a couple of times and she got it!
I don't think she could have handled the tiny little seed beads though. Although the general procedure is the same, we added 5 "stem" beads in between the daisies. This is what that looks like.
Here is K's version. She is eight and it was the perfect age for "graduating" to the smaller beads. We also added clasps to the ends as well. Didn't she do a fantastic job?
Of course, once you get the basics down, there are a ton of variations. Add or take away "stem" beads, change up the colors or make it ALL daisies! They always turn out cute and it is really fun and addictive. Have fun beading daisy chains!

Hmmm, now, what should my next seed bead project be? I have a million of them and no idea what to do with 'em! Ideas?