3 Easy Bead Garlands

Have you noticed all the tiered tray on Pinterest these days? I just love them! So many possibilities to decorate them for a holiday or just every day. Another thing I’m seeing a lot of with these tiered trays are little garlands with tassels on the ends. They just set the trays off! I’ve also seen them just dropped over a stack of books so they are versatile. Let me show you how I make 3 easy bead garlands for my house.

These cuties are super easy to make! All you need are-

Beads wooden, glass or acrylic-your choice

Twine or heavy string

Embroidery floss

Tacky glue

Scissors

For this first bead garland, l used an assortment of wooden beads in different finished. Some are light colored and some are dark. I separated the beads.

First you will want to make a tassels for your bead garland. I wrap the jute twine around a piece of cardboard that is 4″ wide about 15 times.  Cut a length of twine several inches longer than what you desire for your finished garland, I want mine to be 24” so my twine is around 30”. This will leave plenty of an allowance for the end knots. Carefully slip the end of your garland cord under all the loops and tie.

Start about 1/2″ from the top and start wrapping the twine to the top. Secure the twine with a dab of hot glue.

Because of the fraying, I like to put some tacky glue on the end of the twine to make it easier to slip the beads over. Twist a small amount on the end until you have a sort of point.

Begin placing the beads onto the twine. I did mine on a repeating pattern until it was the length I wanted.

Make another tassel and tie it with the other end of the bead garland twine. Draw it close as you can to the beads. Once again to finish the tassel, tie a piece of twine around the tassel just below the top. Wrap the twine to the top and secure with a little hot glue.

Finally cut the tassel at the other end.

Another take on these easy bead garland follows the same technique only with glass and acrylic beads and embroidery floss for the tassels. You will also need some heavy test fishing line to string the garland.

I found this egg shaped bell and used it instead of making a tassel for this spring bead garland. Using a pattern of 5 acrylic beads and a pearl bead until it was the length I wanted. Just run the fishing line through the last pearl bead a couple of times and ties knot between the last 2 beads to finish the garland.

Finished and just too cute tucked into a spring decoration.

The last garland are natural wooden beads that I painted. I wanted a farmhouse garland. So I pick black, grey and light grey for the colors. Then I decided I needed some smaller white beads. Place the beads on kitchen skewers and start painting.

It’s not hard, they slid around, but my paint seemed to dry super fast so it was all good. One coat for the black and elephant, but 2 coats for the lighter mineral. All acrylic paints by Waverly.

Once all the beads where completely dry. Start stringing them. This time instead of glue, I took a piece of tape and twisted it around the end of the twine to make a needle. One by one, in my pattern, I strung the beads. I made a rag tassel for this bead garland just to make it extra farmhouse.

For the tassel, cut the skein in half. Remove 2 or 3 strands.

Loop a knot about an inch from the folded end of one of the strands. Then tie it in the middle

Smooth the tassel down and tie one of the strands about half an inch from the top. Wrap the strand around the tassel several times and secure it by tying a few knots then trim. It’s ready to attach to the bead garland.

 For this garland, I choose to attach a star to the other end. I just love, love, love it! Of course, you can adore the ends with whatever you want. I’m thinking a small tag with a home sweet home printed on it for my next bead garland.

So there you have it. 3 Easy Bead Garlands you can make and use in your home decor. I prefer the farmhouse, rustic look. What style do you prefer? Plan to make a bead garland? I would like to see your photos and thoughts in the comments below.