Learn how to make a wood bead ornament that looks beautiful on your Christmas tree! You can make this holiday craft in four simple steps.
Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never made anything before, this Christmas ornament is easy. You’ll be stringing beads and hot gluing. It’s a perfect beginner craft project.
I’m kind of hooked on unfinished wood beads lately! This happens to me all the time. I get hooked on a craft supply, and then I try a bunch of different ideas with it. And this time? I made a wood bead ornament!
It started with the wood bead garland, and then I made the snowman ornaments and the gnome ornaments. And the star ornament. I’ve even tried a wood doormat where I used 42 painted orange beads!
That’s a lot of beads, my friends.
And I really love working with them, which is why I’m very excited to share this project with you. You’re not going to believe how easy these are to make to grace your tree!
They’re perfect for farmhouse or rustic style . . . and you can use them as gift tags. You can stain and paint the beads as well, I just happen to like them unfinished.
DIY Wooden Bead Ornament
You’re going to make this cute Christmas ornament in four simple steps. You’ll string the wire with wood beads, then form a circle. Then you’ll add the baker’s twine, and finally the embellishments.
For the embellishments, I used small fir branches from my backyard and a wood circle. But you can use anything! Think mini wreaths, a small bow, a button, etc. There are a lot of options. I always suggest checking your stash to see what you can use.
Are you ready to learn how to make these wooden bead Christmas ornaments? Keep on reading!
Gather These Supplies
- Wood beads (5/8″) – 15
- Floral wire – at least 22 gauge
- Wire cutter
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Small wood circle
- Fir branch pieces
- Baker’s twine – about 12″
- Scissors
String the Wire
Cut piece of wire about 13 – 15″ or so, depending on the size of your beads. I used 15 beads, but you can make your wreath shape as large as you like.
The wire can be any gauge you like, it just has to be strong enough to bend into a circle and hold shape. You’ll also need to be able to string the beads onto it.
Begin stringing the beads onto the wire, pushing all the beads toward the center and leaving wire on both ends.
Form the Circle
Now you will create a circle with the wire. Bring the wire around to form a circle, and string the wire from the right side through the last bead on the left. Pull together to tighten the circle.
Twist the wire behind the wood bead to secure your ornament. Clip off the excess wire with the wire cutters.
Push the wire down behind the bead.
This is going to be the back of your wood bead ornament. This is what it will look like at this point. Now you’re going to attach the hanger.
Create the Hanger
I used about 12″ of baker’s twine and a needle to create the hanger.
String through the top bead – this is the way to string your ornament so that it will face out when it hangs (and not to the side).
You can consider your ornament finished at this point, but if you know me, you know I’m going to add some embellishments. Just a little something to give it a more woodsy feel.
Add the Embellishments
I wanted these to feel a little rustic and woods-y (I’m vibing on Yellowstone lately so think Montana Christmas). I decided to add a few bits of fir from my yard and a wood circle I had in my stash.
Attach the greenery and wood circles with a hot glue gun and let cool before hanging. Your DIY wood bead ornament is ready – and it didn’t take long, right? About 30 minutes maximum.
Let me know what you think of this project in the comments!
Did you enjoy making this wooden bead ornament? I’d love for you to check out these other ideas!