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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
Here is a fun idea for you and your kids to make some easy Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic beads. These supplies are pretty and inexpensive to buy. When they are done the ornaments look quite impressive yet they are so easy to make even small children can do it.
You can use this Christmas craft idea time and time again. Kids never seem to tire of it. Older people can easily do it and enjoy it as much as the kids . This Christmas craft can be changed every time you do it by using different colored beads for your designs. It can be fun and easy enough for the entire family to make lovely, sparkling ornaments for your Christmas tree this year.
You will only need a few supplies to make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments.
1. Common, everyday, pipe cleaners in your choice of colors
2. acrylic beads
When looking for the beads you should know there are two kinds that are best for stringing on pipe cleaners. The first type is called sunburst beads, but can also be called paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or star burst beads. This type of bead has faceted paddles spaced equally around a center that contains the hole for stringing. When you string a couple of these sunburst beads together, they will fit against each other in an interlocking pattern
The second type of bead that can be effective for this Christmas craft is called the tri bead or propeller bead. This bead three rounded bumps arranged around the stringing hole. This bead will also interlock when they are strung next to each other.
To make attractive Christmas ornaments that really sparkle, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colors of red, green, and clear. Tri beads can usually be found in the metallic colors of gold and silver which looked great when used in Christmas craft along with the other standard colors.
Pipe cleaners can be found in all colors and in silver and gold tinsel colors. When I am using them for Christmas crafts I like to use the metallic and the Christmas colors. The beads will cover the pipe cleaners but at the ends the pipe cleaners will show.
Now for the directions to begin making your Christmas ornaments. Don't worry because anyone from tots to seniors can string beads on the pipe cleaners. As always just watch your young ones to make sure they don't try to eat a bead or two.
First you bend up on end of the pipe cleaner so your beads do not fall off.
You will use the pipe cleaner like a needle to string the beads. You should show the kids how to alternate the colors when they string the bead, or show them how to alternate between three or four colors. Of course sometimes the best Christmas decorations are the ones the kids design themselves!
After the pipe cleaner is filled with beads you can shape the pipe cleaners into different Christmas shapes. If you use red and clear or white beads alternately, you can bend one end of the pipe cleaner down so it is in a candy cane shape. Show the kids how to make a bend in the top of the pipe cleaner so your beads don't fall off, then again at the bottom.
If you use red and green beads alternately you can twist the pipe cleaner together in a circle shape to make a wreath Christmas ornament. You can even use a little piece of red pipe cleaner to make a bow for it.
You can make a tiny hook at the ends when you twist them together or just close it and use a standard Christmas ornament hook to hang it on your tree. You could even just put the wreath right over a branch on your tree.
If you and your kids use your imagination you can design snowflake or star shaped Christmas ornaments using clear beads and silver pipe cleaners. Or you can just shape the silver pipe cleaners into star shapes for some very easy ornaments.
You won't find and easier Christmas craft than bead and pipe cleaner ornaments. It is something the kids will enjoy making year after year, and you will have many Christmas ornaments you will want to use year after year because they were made just for you by your children.
Make sure you have extras on hand to use when your wrap your presents for your friends and family. They can make a Christmas gift look extra special when they are tied onto the bow of your package, or hung on the straps of a bagged gift.
You will easily find the supplies you need at any craft store, or perhaps your favorite dollar store will have them.
This is an easy and inexpensive way to keep your children occupied, having fun, and doing something you will all enjoy together.
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