Christmas Tree Crafts: Bead and Ribbon Necklaces

You can make your own craft necklaces using ribbon and beads.

If you are decorating your Christmas tree in an elegant style, you may find that elegant tree decorations can be costly. Instead of changing your decoration style, you can make your own tree decorations out of craft materials. For example, you can make jeweled bead and ribbon necklaces that can be hung on your tree. You can find all of the materials needed to make bead and ribbon necklaces at a craft supply store.

Things You'll Need

• Ribbon, 1/2-inch wide
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Beads
• Glitter glue

Instructions

1. Cut a length of ribbon to measure 8 inches long. You can select any type of ribbon you prefer, such as velvet, satin, lace or silk.

2. Thread one end of the ribbon through a yarn needle. Yarn needles have larger holes that will allow a 1/2-inch ribbon to fit through. Tie a knot into the other end of the ribbon.

3. Thread colorful jewel beads onto the ribbon. Be as creative as you want when stringing the beads. You can use traditional Christmas colors of green and red. You can also select bead colors that are complementary to the ribbon and each other, such as purple and yellow or blue and orange. Or you can use monochromatic beads that are simply different shades of the same color. Make sure that the beads you are using have holes that are at least 1/4-inch wide in diameter. This will enable the ribbon to fit through the hole more readily than when using a smaller bead.

4. Take the needle off the ribbon, then knot the end. This will secure the beads onto the ribbon.

5. Squeeze a line of glitter glue along each end of the ribbon. This will seal the ends and prevent the ribbon from fraying or pulling apart. Allow the glitter glue to dry for 20 minutes. You can either tie the ribbon and bead necklace directly onto your Christmas tree branch, or you can tie the ribbon onto an ornament hook that can be hung on the branch.