Easy Wreath Ornament

A quick, easy to make, beaded wreath ornament.

A quick, easy to make, beaded wreath ornament.

So. I followed the directions in the wreath ornament kit that I purchased at Michael’s and this is what I got. It is a nice ornament, but there are a few things I did not like about it. For starters, the loop for the hanger is off center. Most people probably wouldn’t even notice it, but it drove me nuts to look at it. The other thing I didn’t care for is that the holly leaves and berries were tacked on after the wreath was formed. That just seemed like a really inefficient use of wire to me. So I made some modifications.

Step one:

Thread on the large red bead, with a holly leaf on either side.

Step One

Step One

Step two:

Take one of the smaller red beads and cross the wire through it.

Step two

Step two

Step Three:

Add three sunburst beads, a red bead, three sunburst beads, a red bead and three sunburst beads to both sides of the wire. Then pull the wires around and cross them through a red bead.

Step Three

Step Three

Step Four:

Pull tight

Step 4

Step 4

Step Four:

Second view

step four. second view

step four. second view

Step Five:

Bring the wires together at the top of the red bead and twist them snugly together.

Step Five

Step Five

Finish off

Finish off

At this point, treat the two twisted wires as if they are one. Finish it off and make a wrapped loop. I have found that it is best to make the loop go front to back so that a string can be run through to hang the ornament. I’ve made fancy bead ornament hangers in the past. They look pretty but some times you have to twist or turn them so that the ornament is facing straight.  Think of it as hanging a pendant on a necklace. If the loop that you run the chain through is in the right spot, the pendant will always face foreword. Same thing. I’ll run a cord through the loop just like it is a necklace. When I slip it over the branch, the ornament will be facing forward.

I like my version a lot better. The wreath is a bit smaller but it went together in a snap. The loop for hanging the ornament is centered at the top and the holly and berries are neatly strung on to the bottom of the wreath without any extra use of wire!