How to Make Beaded Christmas Decorations
Fun, Festive and Cheap Christmas Ornaments With Beads and Wire
Nov 20, 2008
Beaded Christmas decorations are easy to make and lots of fun for any age. They can be hung as tree ornaments, used to decorate windows to add extra sparkle or even attached to gifts or cards to add a personal touch. Candy canes, stars, Christmas trees and Christmas stockings are all easy shapes to make that add colour and fun to Christmas festivities.
Supplies Needed for Ornaments
Begin by getting everyone to select strings of their favourite coloured beads from a local craft shop or bead store, or choose a variety of colours. Good colours include red and white/clear beads as these can be used for candy cane and stocking shaped ornaments. Green beads can be used for Christmas trees. Select pliable, thin wire that will fit through the holes in the beads (available at a local hardware store or craft shop). Wire cutters and round nosed pliers are also needed. Some craft stores also sell pre-made wire shapes that can then be beaded. String, fishing wire or ornament hangers can be used to hang the completed decorations (readily available at hardware or craft stores). Super glue will be needed if attaching the ornaments to Christmas cards or gifts.
Instructions for Making Candy Canes
Candy canes are a simple shape and therefore very easy for young children to make. Cut the wire to desired length. Use the pliers to turn up one end to ensure the beads don’t fall off. To make a traditional looking candy cane, alternate between red and white/clear beads, leaving roughly ½ cm at the end. Bend this end to secure the beads. Finally, bend the top of the wire into a candy cane shape and attach an ornament hanger or string.
Instructions for Making Stars
There are two different ways to make beaded star ornaments:
- Bend the wire into a 5-pointed star shape, but leave the ends unconnected. As with the candy cane, turn up one end to secure the beads. String beads onto the wire, leaving roughly ½ cm at the end. Using the pliers, twist the two ends together to “close” the star.
- Cut four pieces of wire 9 cms in length (you can make these bigger or smaller depending on how large you want your star to be). Place one piece of wire horizontally and the other vertically and twist together in the middle to create a + shape. Use the other two pieces of wire to criscross the + shape to create a star. Thread beads onto each “spoke”, remembering to twist off the ends to secure the beads.
Instructions for Making Christmas Trees
Start by bending the wire into a simple Christmas tree shape, bending one end of the wire before beading. Using the pliers, attach the ends when done to complete the tree. For a traditional look, use green beads, with yellow or blue or red beads on the tips of the tree “branches” to look like ornaments.
Other Shape Ideas
Other easy to make ornaments include Christmas stockings, hearts, snowflakes and wreaths. Play around with different wire shapes and colours, and try different sizes and shapes of beads for variety.
Once all the shapes have been completed, decorate the Christmas tree or create a string of ornaments to hang on the window to add extra colour and sparkle. This is also a great activity for Christmas day to keep kids occupied as shapes can be pre-made for them to decorate and they can add them to the tree as they go.
For other great Christmas decoration ideas, see How to Make Natural Christmas Decorations and Christmas Decor for the Home.
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