Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments ( Archived) (3)

Nov 16, 2006 6:41 PM CST Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
Mike1162
Mike1162Mike1162Over the Rainbow, Pennsylvania USA70 Threads 1,694 Posts
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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 metallics 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.
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Jan 16, 2007 2:07 AM CST Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
countrychicl
countrychiclcountrychiclclarkston, Washington USA3 Posts
Hey mike thanx for the tip, I am always looking for easy crafts I can teach children. Great idea.
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Jan 16, 2007 11:17 AM CST Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
LOLjuzme
LOLjuzmeLOLjuzmeinstate, Washington USA19 Threads 447 Posts
Used to run a preschool, so I have a million of them. I think one of the kids' favorites was that salt and flour dough, but I dump in a LOT of cinnamon so they smell nice too. Brown color is perfect for "gingerbread" looking projects. Another they really liked was the edible finger paint. Just add food coloring to yogurt and let them go for it. Especially good for the really little ones who are going to be eating the stuff anyway rolling on the floor laughing
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by Mike1162 (70 Threads)
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