Guest Post: Melty Bead Jingle Bell Necklace
The following is a Guest Post from Amanda from Artsy Momma, a member of our Craft Project Ideas Blogger Network!
Kids love to make crafts they can wear! My 7 year old is obsessed with making jewelry. We have beads galore so I wanted her to make a fun wearable Christmas craft incorporating the beads. We came up with a beaded jingle bell melty bead necklace that can be adapted many different ways to suit the child’s interest.
Her necklace features a festive red and green melty bead candy cane which can be changed to a snowflake, mitten, Christmas tree etc.
This simple beaded candy cane necklace makes a fun fine motor activity for preschoolers and a great way for kids in kindergarten and first grade to strengthen their fine motor muscles. It also works on hand-eye coordination as well as counting and patterning.
Materials
Melty Beads
Pony Beads, Various Shapes & Colors
Jingle Bells
String or Friendship Thread
Scissors
Iron
Instructions
Step 1.
Up first is making the melty bead charm to hang from the necklace. To make the candy cane, you will need 10 green and 10 red melty beads. Using the plate provided in the kit, place two green beads on the bottom. Next add two red. Repeat for the third and fourth rows.
For the fifth row, add two green like before while also adding a green and red bead to the left of them with a space in between. Refer to photo. For the sixth row, start at the left and add green, red, green, red, red. For the last row, leave a space and then add red, green, red. It should now resemble a candy cane!
When finished with the candy cane charm design, turn the iron on the cotton setting. Once heated, melt the beads together by ironing over a sheet of wax paper placed over the design for less than 30 seconds – until you can see the beads peek through the wax paper. Let cool.
Step 1.
Up first is making the melty bead charm to hang from the necklace. To make the candy cane, you will need 10 green and 10 red melty beads. Using the plate provided in the kit, place two green beads on the bottom. Next add two red. Repeat for the third and fourth rows.
For the fifth row, add two green like before while also adding a green and red bead to the left of them with a space in between. Refer to photo. For the sixth row, start at the left and add green, red, green, red, red. For the last row, leave a space and then add red, green, red. It should now resemble a candy cane!
When finished with the candy cane charm design, turn the iron on the cotton setting. Once heated, melt the beads together by ironing over a sheet of wax paper placed over the design for less than 30 seconds – until you can see the beads peek through the wax paper. Let cool.
Step 2.
For this next part, an adult can thread a string through the top of the candy cane (use a needle if needed). Pull the string through to make a loop large enough to fit over the child’s head. You will want to cut it longer than this to allow extra for tying the string ends together once all the beads and bells are added.
Now it’s time to start threading the pony beads (and other style of beads) through with jingle bells also added. Kids can choose to use Christmas colors or colors of their choice to create patterns if they’d like.
Step 2.
For this next part, an adult can thread a string through the top of the candy cane (use a needle if needed). Pull the string through to make a loop large enough to fit over the child’s head. You will want to cut it longer than this to allow extra for tying the string ends together once all the beads and bells are added.
Now it’s time to start threading the pony beads (and other style of beads) through with jingle bells also added. Kids can choose to use Christmas colors or colors of their choice to create patterns if they’d like.
Step 3.
Once finished adding enough jingle bells and pony beads, tie the ends together with a knot or use a necklace clasp. Now it’s ready to be worn!
This easy beaded jingle bell necklace is so festive with the bell sounds! Kids will love showing off their melty bead Christmas necklaces and can even make matching bracelets.
If you are looking for a non-holiday themed wearable craft, try making this adorable DIY jungle themed necklace. For more crafts kids can wear, check out these easy paper polar bear and penguin headbands.
Join Amanda and her two children for more crafty and creative things to make or do with kids on their blogs Artsy Momma and Fun Handprint Art. Stop by and say hi on Facebook or follow them on Pinterest for creative ideas shared daily.
Step 3.
Once finished adding enough jingle bells and pony beads, tie the ends together with a knot or use a necklace clasp. Now it’s ready to be worn!
This easy beaded jingle bell necklace is so festive with the bell sounds! Kids will love showing off their melty bead Christmas necklaces and can even make matching bracelets.
If you are looking for a non-holiday themed wearable craft, try making this adorable DIY jungle themed necklace. For more crafts kids can wear, check out these easy paper polar bear and penguin headbands.
Join Amanda and her two children for more crafty and creative things to make or do with kids on their blogs Artsy Momma and Fun Handprint Art. Stop by and say hi on Facebook or follow them on Pinterest for creative ideas shared daily.