Uses of Mardi Gras Beads

Put those beads to good use instead of tossing them.

Mardi Gras beads are a common staple of this annual New Orleans celebration. If you attend Mardi Gras or any Mardi Gras-themed events, chances are you will be leaving with a ton of beads on your hands and no idea what to do with them. Before you opt to toss out these sparkly souvenirs, learn some ideas for what you can do with these beads after the Mardi Gras season has ended.

Centerpieces

Use Mardi Gras beads in your centerpieces on tables in your home. Fill tall glass vases or glass bowls with beads and set them out for a festive touch. Add some fake flowers to pieces for some floral inspiration as well. For a colorful look, separate beads by color and layer them to create a rainbow effect in vases.

Frames

Make sparkling picture frames gluing beads around them. You could take one long strand of beads, break it open and glue it so that it wraps around frames. Another idea is to break off beads from the strands one by one and glue them sparingly over frames or one next to the other in the color order of your choice.

Curtains

Break apart beads and string them together to make a longer string of beads. Once you have enough you can hang them over windows or in doorways as festive curtains. Another idea is to make longer strands of beads and drape them over valances or curtain rods in windows or around vanity mirrors.

Candle Holders

Dress up your candle holders by wrapping beads around them. Break open a strand and glue one end to the base of your candle holder then wrap around going up the candle holder and glue the other end atop it. If you have candelabras drape beads over the branches of candelabras for dripping sparkles.

Dress Up

If you have kids, save your beads for them to use in dress-up games. Toss them in the dress up trunk and let your kids use them as they please. You could also make fun dress-up items such as cutting out a crown shape from poster board and gluing gold or silver beads onto the board to make a sparkly crown or glue and sew strands of beads to a plain dress to make a cheap and easy child's flapper costume.

References

• Gadling; Mardi Gras Beads By The Handfuls: What To Do With Them?; Jamie Rhein; Jan. 28, 2008