How to Decorate With Mardi Gras Beads

There is a great deal of fun involved in raking in a bountiful collection of Mardi Gras beads. Unfortunately, most people don't what to do with the fabulous loot once the festivities have ended. Keep reading for a few ways to decorate using Mardi Gras beads.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Make a bead curtain. It's a great way to use your beads on windows or doorways. You can also use them to create valances or visual affects for the windows and doorways or as curtain tiebacks. Choose beads that will compliment the décor, which shouldn't be a challenge considering the wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes that most people bring home.

2. Fill glass bowls, jars, and other containers with beads of the same color, but with different textures or shapes. Placing them in jars or glass bowls makes them a centerpiece for decorating a table or mantle, while allowing you to keep a little bit of Mardi Gras in your home year-round.

3. Make a votive holder by hot-gluing the beads to the exterior of a plain glass votive cup. It works with beads of all colors, but the smaller strands seem to work better. This technique allows you to decorate your candles in the colors of Mardi Gras.

4. Enhance lampshades by gluing strands of beads to the outside. This is yet another way to transform a normal home piece into a centerpiece for conversation and celebration.

5. One of the most common decorative enhancements using Mardi Gras beads is as an adornment for rear view mirrors. If your mirror needs a little something extra, liven it up with several colorful strands.

6. Use the beads to create works of art. Create a mosaic or simply use them to embellish ordinary things, from clothes to chairs, or even ironing boards. It's amazing what a thousand or so beads, hot glue, and a lot of patience can accomplish.