Upcycle A Bead Toy To Make A Bead Garland
You will hunt down bead toys in the thrift stores after seeing this project to upcycle a bead toy to make a bead garland!This simple ten minute upcycle a bead toy to make a bead garland project is genius if I do say so myself! To create colored bead garlands you either have to purchase multiple packages of wooden beads (expensive) or dye natural beads yourself (messy). So I cut out those processes by purchasing a bead toy (or abacus) at my local thrift store.
A Few Supplies To Make Your Bead Garland
What You Need To Upcycle A Bead Toy Into A Bead Garland
- Screwdriver To Disassemble The Bead Toy
- Scissors
- Twine (I find mine at the Dollar Store in the craft section)
- And of course – the bead toy!
Removing The Beads
Each toy will be different but I was able to unscrew my toy in four spots to get to the beads.
Remove Screw On Either Side
Remove Two screws on the base
Beads Are Ready To Make A Bead Garland
Stringing Beads And Making A Tassel
Stringing Beads
- Decide how long you want your string.
- Length will depend on where you will display it. Make it shorter or much longer to be used to drape around a vignette, tray, or along a mantel.
- Length will also depend on the number of beads on your bead toy.
- With my bead toy I made a solid yellow bead garland, a solid green bead garland and this patriotic bead garland.
- Wrap a small piece of tape around the end of your twine. This will prevent your twine from fraying as you push it through the bead.
- Leave 4” on either end of the string to attach your tassel on one end and tie it off on the other.
The Tassel For The Bead Garland
- Wrap twine around four fingers 20- 25 times.
- Before removing from your hand slip the bead garland tail under one side and knot this tightly.
- Slip off hand
Finish Bead Garland With Tassel
- Wrap another piece of twine ten times around one end of the loops about 1/2” from the end. Tie a secure knot in the end and trim off the excess.
- Cut all the loops on the opposite end to make a tassel.
- Your bead garland with tassel is finished!
Where To Use Your Upcycled Bead Toy Turned Bead Garland
Bead garland is beautiful in a vignette or mantel, draped around a tiered tray, or in a cloche. Don’t be afraid to get creative.
This Bead Garland On A Patriotic Mantel
I used this bead garland on my patriotic mantel …
The Yellow Bead Garland In A tiered Tray
I used the bead garland on a summer farmhouse tray …
You’ll Love These Ideas For Bead Garland!
Before You Hit The Thrift Stores …
Pin this post to Pinterest to help you create a bead garland from a bead toy plus all of the ideas to use it – hover over any picture to save it to your account. So easy!
Enjoyed the project?
Suggested materials:
- Bead Toy (Thrift Store)
- Screwdriver (On Hand)
- Twine (Dollar Store)
- Scissors (On Hand)
Frequently asked questions
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