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The best way to keep up with the latest on beading is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. Current info is
not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this article includes the latest available.
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Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic beads are very pretty and easy to make. They look
quite impressive yet are easy enough for small children to make. This is one Christmas craft idea to use again and again. Older
people will enjoy making this Christmas craft, too, which can be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for
your Christmas tree.
To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in desired colors and acrylic beads. Two types of
beads are particularly effective when strung on pipe cleaners. One type are called sunburst beads, but are also known as
paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads. These beads have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a center that
contains the hole for stringing. When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively, they fit against each other in an
interlocking pattern.
The other type of bead that is also effective for this Christmas craft is called the tri bead or propeller bead. It has three
rounded bumps arranged around the stringing hole. Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock when strung consecutively. For
the most sparkly and attractive Christmas ornaments, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colors of red, green, and
clear. The tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver which can be used in this Christmas craft as well.
Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all colors. For the Christmas craft, the best colors
to use are the metallics and Christmas colors. The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to be twisted together
and made into hangers, so they show.
Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners. Bend up the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads don't fall
off. The pipe cleaner works like a needle, making a needle unnecessary. For best results, show the children how to alternate
colors when stringing, or start a pattern of three colors. When the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into
different Christmas shapes. For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for
a candy cane shape. Or alternate red and green beads and form a circle for a wreath. Use red pipe cleaner to form a small bow to
decorate the wreath. Form a hanger for the Christmas craft or simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.
If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some beautiful snowflake or star ornaments. Snowflake
designs can be twisted of silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.
Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a Christmas craft you will find yourself using every year. Children and their parents will
both appreciate this simple yet pretty Christmas craft.
About the author:
Find out more about Christmas ornaments, Christmas gift ideas and more at http://www.Your-Christmas-Gift-Idea.com
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