Hope You Like Bees

I kind of start from the bottom of a main center bead, and anchor the wire for the legs there, then I branch off and figure out how big I want everything to be. It looks like our processes are pretty similar there. My problems started when I realized that I wanted the Big guys carapace to be much bigger than the central bead I chose, so I basically ended up weaving a rectangle-ish patch of seed beads to work as an extension. (I also made a bit of a foolish choice to break some of the longer beads to give some shape variance, and as a consequence I may or may not still have a piece of glass in my foot.)

The looping pieces of wire along the exterior of the legs and carapace were initially for support, and to give them a "front" (the spiral shape), but I ended up liking the look of it enough to try to make a silver brace that could function as jewlery. I wanted to try to make jewlery closer to what we see in the movie, but I ultimately gave up after the nth time poking myself with small sharp dangling pieces of wire. I tried making the dangling pieces out of the longer beads as well, which required more snapping. You can see the carnage of that below lol (it still didn't really end up working)

I'll include some close ups of the smaller two as well, plus a fourth I made for my sister, using beads she helped pick out. None of these guys were as tricky as the first, but I still love them : D

The Mid-size one was by far the easiest, had the smoothest process, and is the most pose-able because of the softer wire I used, but I'm a bit worried about the joints snapping long term

The Itty bitty clear pebble was the third, and while it wasnt particularly difficult to make them, it was very fiddly. The wire I had to use to make it all look proportional was very small and thin, so getting it folded into the little claw shapes was tricky

And finally, my sister's little guy! I didn't actually take any pictures of them alone, but I did pose them all together.

If you make more I'd love to see them! I hope my little guys can give some inspiration : D

You are totally right, I also start with the body and figuring out where I want the legs. But the main difference is on both the size and the type of beads I'm using.

Size: it has come to my attention, that I did not put any single size reference on any of my pictures. And so, the actual tinyness of my guys doesn't come across as much. I've rectified and edited my OG post (not that anyone will see it at this point) but just so you get the idea, here's a couple of the pics:

Type of beads: Because I'm using this rock/mineral beads they are all irregular and with the holes in random ass places, so I start by choosing which beads I like, and look for possible connection point based on their shape and where the wired for the arms could be placed as well, then join them, not only with the wire, but I cheat a bit with some superglue.

I think in the tags of the Tiny Grace post you asked how I had done Adrian's carapace, and it is sadly not magic, it all comes down to size, type of bead and a touch of glue.

Not that that's out of the way, back to business. I adore the carapace of the big guy! I think the seed bead addition really gives it some character and personality, and the wire around the arms is so badass.

I think not giving them more jewellery was a good move regardless, because they already have so much going on with the carapace design, I think adding more to it would take away from the intricate details.

Also if it makes you feel better, I too tried to cut some longer beads I have for another project and it went as well as you can expect. Sadly I did not have the hindsight of doing it inside a box and I still have tiny bits of glass all over my desk

The other three are just as cute! I don't know what it is about the midsize one but it seems so freaking sassy, but a sweet kind of sassy. The transparent pebble is so adorable, I have been meaning to try and make a transparent one, but haven't decided on the vibe I want yet.

I wouldn't be too worried about wire snapping, just try not to move it constantly or bend it too tight, and it should be fine. The wire I use sucks (on purpose) and is super thin, and I've only ever had issues when trying to twist it too much on one spot.

The family photo at the end is so cute and I love them all in their poses the dangling pebble is just too much! And the blue swirling detail on your sister's one is so cool! I will definitely use that that!

I have made 3 new ones today, you'll see them soon enough!