How to Make Beaded Fruit Tree Ornaments

What could be more inviting that a tree adorned with glistening miniature fruit in an array of colors? Bright red apples and yellow pears tempt the pallet as they dangle from tree branches amid garlands of popcorn and nuts. These beaded fruits are reminiscent of the early German trees where fruit and nuts were hung to decorate the tree and provide a special treat for Christmas guests. These miniature fruits are easy to make and will last for years to come.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Miniature artificial fruit
• White craft glue
• Toothpick
• 6mm colored beads
• Newspaper
• Jar
• Silk leaves or evergreen sprigs (optional)
• Decorative ribbon

1. Purchase a variety of miniature artificial fruits. You can often find these in the dollar store. Select fruit that is well-formed and easily recognizable by shape. The color or appearance of the fruit is not important. You need the fruit for the base.

2. Prepare a work area where you can leave the fruit to dry. Cover the area with old newspapers to catch glue and to make clean up a breeze.

3. Cover a small area of the fruit with white glue. Spread with a toothpick to get an even coat. Select glass beads that best match the color of the fruit. Glue them into place so that the open end of the bead faces outward. Begin at the widest part of the fruit and glue an even line of beads around the circumference. Fill in sections of the fruit by gluing beads so that they are touching and the entire area is covered. Set the beaded fruit over the open mouth of a jar to dry.

4. Hot glue one or two silk leaves at the base of the stem or add a sprig of evergreens. Attach a loop of decorative ribbon to the stem of the fruit and hang it as an ornament on the tree.

5. Make a variety of fruits in varying colors and display them in a glass bowl as a sparkling centerpiece. Add evergreen branches with natural cones. Light a candle to create flickering light.

6. Display over the mantle among evergreens and cones or use on garlands and swags to drape over doors and windows.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix multiple shades of one color to create a more natural looking fruit with gradations of color.
• Use tweezers to handle small beads, if needed.
• Use foam forms of stars or balls to create beaded ornaments.
• Work in small sections and add glue as you progress.
• Avoid using too much glue. The beads should stick, not slide.

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