Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic
beads are very pretty and easy to make. They look quite impressive yet are easy
enough for small children to make. This is one Christmas craft idea to use again
and again. Older people will enjoy making this Christmas craft, too, which can
be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for your Christmas
tree.
To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in
desired colors and acrylic beads. Two types of beads are particularly effective
when strung on pipe cleaners. One type are called sunburst beads, but are also
known as paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads. These beads
have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a center that contains the hole
for stringing. When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively,
they fit against each other in an interlocking pattern.
The other type of bead that is also effective for this Christmas craft is called
the tri bead or propeller bead. It has three rounded bumps arranged around the
stringing hole. Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock when strung
consecutively. For the most sparkly and attractive Christmas ornaments, get tri
beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colors of red, green, and clear. The
tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver which can be used in
this Christmas craft as well.
Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all
colors. For the Christmas craft, the best colors to use are the metallic and
Christmas colors. The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to
be twisted together and made into hangers, so they show.
Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners. Bend up
the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads don't fall off. The pipe cleaner works
like a needle, making a needle unnecessary. For best results, show the children
how to alternate colors when stringing, or start a pattern of three colors. When
the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into different
Christmas shapes. For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then
bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for a candy cane shape. Or alternate red
and green beads and form a circle for a wreath. Use red pipe cleaner to form a
small bow to decorate the wreath. Form a hanger for the Christmas craft or
simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.
If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some
beautiful snowflake or star ornaments. Snowflake designs can be twisted of
silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.
Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a Christmas craft you will find yourself
using every year. Children and their parents will both appreciate this simple
yet pretty Christmas craft. |