Craft Project - Easy Beaded Icicle Holiday Tree Ornaments

Are you looking for a great craft project that you can do with older children? If so, I have a great project to share with you today. These beaded icicle holiday tree ornaments are super easy to make and they are inexpensive. You can find all of the supplies at your local general craft supply store.
 
You can make these cute icicle ornaments any color that you would like, but I think they look the best when made with pale blue and clear beads. Once you hang them onto your holiday tree, you will find that your Christmas tree lights will enhance their beauty. In addition, once the project has been completed, they can be hung off of garlands, on holiday wreaths or used a cute package toppers.

Materials Needed Per Ornament

Ornaments

9" piece silver bendable craft wire (thick enough to hold its shape)

6 blue 6 mm and 8 mm faceted plastic round beads

8 clear 2 mm faceted plastic round beads

1 clear 1" oblong plastic bead

sharp wire cutters

needle nose pliers

(optional) all-purpose liquid craft glue
 
Before you begin this project, lay some newspaper down onto your work surface if you decide to use glue. Make sure when you are cutting the wire that all of the small pieces are properly disposed of.

Step 1: If you purchased your wire by the spool, cut off a 9" piece. Using needle nose pliers, twist one of the ends into a very small loop and make sure that it is tightly twisted so that it will hold your beads on firmly.

Step 2: Thread onto your wire the following: 1 clear oblong bead, 1 clear small round bead, 1 blue round bead and continue with the round bead pattern (minus the oblong one) until you have 11 beads on the wire. Then thread on 2 of the clear little beads, followed by 1 round blue bead.

Step 3: Twist the rest of your wire into a pleasing shape to resemble an icicle (see photo for the shape I selected). Using your needle nose pliers, twist the remaining end of wire into a small loop.

The shape that you twist your icicle into should have a 3/4 large circle towards to the top so that it can be hung from a Christmas Tree branch.

Tips: If you find that your beads are sliding around too much and not staying in place, dab a small amount of glue onto the bead before stringing it onto the wire. If you would like to make your icicles large, just increase the sizes of your wire and purchase additional beads. For inexpensive ornaments, use plastic beads. If you want elaborate and fancy ornaments, purchase glass beads.

Craft Project - Easy Beaded Icicle Holiday Tree Ornaments

Shelly Hill is a mother and grandmother living in Pennsylvania who enjoys crafting. You can visit Shelly's online craft blog called Passionate About Crafting at http://passionateaboutcrafting.blogspot.com for free craft tips and craft project ideas. You can find a photo of the completed project at http://passionateaboutcrafting.blogspot.com/2009/11/easy-beaded-icicle-holiday-tree.html

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