Easy Holiday Craft: Beaded Christmas Ornaments

Looking for an easy DIY Christmas craft? Make these cute beaded Christmas ornaments for your tree or use them as gift toppers for presents.

If you’re looking for an easy DIY Christmas craft to try before the 25th, can I recommend this beaded Christmas ornament / gift topper idea?

It’s one of those things that you can do mindlessly while you’re watching movies or a craft you can try with kiddos over the winter break.

Just monitor little ones since the beads are small.

How to Make Beaded Christmas Ornaments

I love these beaded ornaments because they’re easy to complete and only take a few supplies.

All I had to buy were the beads, since I don’t keep those on hand.

But even if you had to buy all of the supplies, it’s only four or five items that are mostly low in cost.

To save money, you could even get creative with the wire and use a straightened out metal hanger if you can find beads with a large enough hole.

AND, while I am sharing the tutorial for star shaped ornament specifically, you can make any shape you like with this method.

A simple circle for a beaded wreath would be very easy.

A heart or a Christmas tree shape would also be cute, or even an animal silhouette if you want to tackle something with more detail.

Beaded Ornament Materials

• jewelry wire (I used 16 gauge)
• beads (make sure the bead holes are larger than the wire gauge you use)
• ornament hook or ribbon
• wire cutters and jewelry pliers

Note on supplies (where to get beads)

I got these very simple beads from JoAnn. BUT when I make more, I’m going to order from Etsy.

There are sooooo many amazing Etsy shops with cool beads.

Here are a few bead shops on Etsy that I’ve favorited for future beading stuff:

• Beads and Babble
• Dizzy Dolphin Beads
• Stones Direct

Instructions

1. Cut the wire.

Cut a piece of wire that is longer than you think you’ll need.

I cut most of mine around 10 inches and made roughly 5-6 inch stars with that length.

2. Bend the wire.

Then bend the wire into a loose star shape. I used jewelry pliers and just bent the wire into a triangle every few inches to make the points for thee star.

I found that just getting a very basic shape was best and then once all the beads are actually on, you can bend it into a more pronounced star shape.

Speaking of which…

3. String the beads.

String the beads through the wire, until there is just an inch or two of excess wire on each end that doesn’t have beads.

4. Connect the wire ends and cut off excess.

Twist the two ends that remain, together as tightly as you can (wrap around several times, so it doesn’t come undone).

Then cut off the excess ‘tail’ with wire cutters.

5. Add a ribbon or an ornament hook.

Add a ribbon or hook and it’s ready to hang on the tree.

Or skip the hook and tie it onto gifts as a present topper.

How to Make a Beaded Christmas Ornament

Brittni

I love these beaded ornaments because they're easy to complete and only take a few supplies. All I had to buy were the beads, since I don't keep those on hand.But even if you had to buy all of the supplies, it's only four or five items that are mostly low in cost. To save money, you could even get creative with the wire and use a straightened out metal hanger if you can find beads with a large enough hole.

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Equipment

• wire cutters and jewelry pliers

Ingredients

  

• wire
• beads make sure the bead holes are larger than the wire gauge you use
• ornament hook or ribbon

Instructions

 

• Cut a piece of wire that is longer than you think you'll need. I cut most of mine around -- inches and made roughly -- inch stars with that length.
• Then bend the wire into a loose star shape. I used jewelry pliers. and just bent the wire into a triangle every few inches t make the points.
• I found that just getting a very basic shape was best and then once all the beads are actually on, you can bend it into a more pronounced star shape. Speaking of which...
• String the beads through the wire, until there is just an inch or two of excess wire on each end that doesn't have beads. Twist the two ends that remain, together as tightly as you can (wrap around several times, so it doesn't come undone). Then cut off the excess 'tail' with wire cutters.
• Add a ribbon or hook and it's ready to hang on the tree. Or skip the hook and tie it onto gifts as a present topper.

Did you make this?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

If you’re looking for more ornament and gift topper ideas, here are my most recent ones that you might also like:

• My mushroom ornaments are one of my favorite projects ever.
• Thinking about wood ornaments to paint? Check out that link to see what I did.
• Clay strawberries as ornaments bc why not?!
• If fabric ornaments are more your  thing, check out my star and moon ornaments.
• And you can learn how to make terracotta ornaments with cookies cutters, with this simple tutorial.
• Paper ornaments are super affordable and cute.
• DIY line drawing ornaments are still a favorite.
• And these velvet ornaments have come some color blocking if you’re into something bold.

I think that might be it for ornament DIYs this year. I have one more that I made, but I’ve already shared so many. Maybe next year.

Anyway, whether you plan to use these beaded stars as DIY ornaments or gift toppers, I hope you like the project.