How to Make a Wire Christmas Card Holder

Show off your Christmas cards in an elegant handmade design that's simple to make. A few basic craft materials are all you need to construct a piece worthy of the center of your table or the focus of a window display.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• wire (lightweight craft gauge)
• glass beads
• jewelry pliers
• glue
• wire cutters
• wooden spool or flat wooden circle
• drill with large bit
• measuring tape
• glitter and paint (optional)

1. Cut a long piece of wire from a spool of craft wire. Use a pair of jewelry pliers to "crook" or bend the wire slightly about four inches from the top.

2. Slide a small decorative glass bead onto the wire, then bend slightly and add another at intervals along the remaining four inches or so if desired.

3. Use the jewelry pliers to curl the beaded section into a large, close-fitting spiral. Don't push the spiral in on itself -- leave the small, close center curve space away in order to better hold your card. Trim the spiral's tip with a little daub of glue and a glass bead.

4. Repeat this process, making as several strands ( to work best, most card holders consist of about six).

5. Braid the strands together using the jewelry pliers, leaving only the spiral ends and five or six inches of each strand unbraided. Once the wires are intertwined, fan out the long strands and spirals -- this will be the peacock-like frame that displays your cards.

6. Measure the circumference of your braided wires, then choose a drill bit size to match (the size will be approximate; a slightly larger bit will do).

7. Drill a hole through the center of a round wooden wheel or large wooden spool, then squirt a generous portion of craft glue inside. Anchor your braided wire into the hole, taking care that your wooden base remains stable and capable of supporting the weight. Add a touch of glitter or paint to decorate the base.

8. Once dry, spread apart your spiralled strands and slide your holiday cards into each opening. Adjust as necessary with the pliers so your cards are displayed gently but firmly in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Other decorative bases can be made from shaped clay, wooden cutouts, or old candlestick holders -- simply secure the braided wire in place.
• Instead of braiding your wires together, feed them through a large glass or wooden bead's hole to keep them together; then flex the wire's ends together and slide into the base's center hole as previously instructed.