A cute alternative to the Christmas card

If you’re tired of trudging around the shops, you’re watching your pennies or just want to make Christmas a bit more personal this year, have a go at handmaking Christmas.

This could mean making your own cards, wrapping paper or even presents.

This year, I’m making Christmas decorations and sending them rather than cards. I wanted to make something that people could enjoy more than once so I’m hoping my friends and family will like it enough to hang it on their trees next year too!

Here is how I made this pearl bead heart decoration:

You will need
Wire that is malleable enough to bend but sturdy enough to keep its shape - I used floristry wire bought from my local florist.
Beads - I used pearl beads that were advertised as seconds because they’re flawed but I’ve yet to find a flaw.
Ribbon
Wire cutters
Pliers
Scissors

What to do
1. Decide on the colours for your decoration. As I’m hoping it will be reused and have no idea of the colour schemes of all my friends’ Christmas trees, I went for a relatively neutral white with one red or ice blue bead to add a bit of festive colour.

2. My bead heart measures about 6cm tall and wide and I used 30 white pearl beads and one coloured bead.

Cut a length of wire measuring 20cms or so, but you don’t need to be too accurate. Bend one end to stop the beads rolling off. Thread on all your beads in whichever order you choose. I threaded 15 white, then my one coloured bead, then another 15 white beads.

3. Join the two ends of the wire together by crossing them over and twisting them together a couple of times. Cut the ends of the wire close to the twist and use pliers to squash and fold up the ends. Try to bend the wire ends in so there are no sharp edges sticking out.

4. Now you can bend the beaded wire into the heart shape. Once you’re happy with that, cut a length of ribbon and tie it around the wire twist, covering it up. Knot the ends of the ribbon and your decoration is complete!

As I’m posting these decorations in place of Christmas cards I’ve written a message on a tag and tied it to the ribbon with string.

If you wanted to make a star or other shapes, simply use a longer piece of wire and more beads.

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There’s more from Gabrielle Utton at thegreengal.co.uk