Pony Bead and Bell Christmas Wreath Ornament

Before we know it, Christmas will soon be here and it will be time to drag out the tattered boxes of lights and ornaments in order to adorn the ole tannenbaum. If a few of those ornaments need replaced because they are broken or you would just like some new ones, than here is a great project to create adorable miniature Christmas wreaths out of pony beads and bells. This is a fast and easy craft made from only a few items.

Items need to make Pony Bead and Bell Wreaths

-Chenille strips (pipe cleaners)
-Eighteen Pony Beads (quantity depends on size of wreath)
NOTE: chenille strips and pony beads should be same color.
-Matching embellishment ribbon (thin quarter inch ribbon used for wrapping presents)
-Plastic or silk holly leaves
-Small bell (size depends on size of wreath)
-Glitter (optional)
-Small paintbrush (optional)
-Clothes hanger (optional)
-Craft glue or hot glue gun

Instructions to Make Pony Bead and Bell Wreaths

NOTE: For these instructions, I am going to use white pony beads, a white chenille strip, silver holly leaves, a silver bell, silver ribbon, and a little silver glitter.

First, I make a small curl in one end of the chenille strip (so the pony beads will not fall off), and then string on the pony beads one at a time. When I have my desired length (you can use different lengths of chenille strips to make different sized wreaths), I undo the curl on the one end of the chenille strip and twist the two ends together. If I have any chenille strip excess left over, I will cut it off (down to the twisted end), or just fold it under until smooth. I shape the pony beads into a circle.

Because I do not want any glitter on my bell or ribbon, I will use the paintbrush to brush on a small amount of glue on several beads (not all), and sprinkle on a small amount of glitter. I use a clothes hanger (hung upside down), to hang the wreath for drying.

After the wreath has dried, I thread a small piece of thin ribbon through the holder on the bell and tie the two ends to the wreath where I twisted the chenille strip. (You can tie this close to the wreath or so that the bell hangs down a little.) I cut off any excess ribbon.

Using the thin ribbon, I tie a shoestring bow at the top to hide the twisted chenille strip ends and glue in place. I also make a small ribbon loop in order to hang the wreath. I then glue on the silver holly leaves and hide any excess knots of chenille strips.

The pony bead and bell wreath is now ready to hang on a Christmas tree or give as a gift.

Sources: Personal Experience, Beading 101