Farmhouse Christmas Beaded Candy Cane Ornament

4 Materials
$10
1 Hour
Easy

Today, I’m paying homage to those candy cane ornaments we all had to make in 2nd grade. Remember? They were made by stringing those plastic beads onto pipe cleaners. Then, as we gave them to our mother, tears glistened in her eyes. (Only because she knew she had to hang the cringeworthy Christmas ornament on her exquisitely adorned tree.)

Here’s a more mature version, but just as easy.


Since the wooden beads are all the rage right now, I thought I’d incorporate them in our holiday decor. I lucked up on a bagful at a thrift store this summer and only paid $3 for them.

Only $3 for all those beads?!?

I strung about 20 beads onto two different pieces of twine. Took both strands of beads outside and secured the twine between a few bricks.

Next, I got my cans of spray paint and gave them a few coats of paint, making sure I turned the beads to get it even on all sides.


Finally, after they were dry, I brought them inside. I found a piece of wire on the floor. (I’m not kidding. My hubby had hung a mirror for me the previous day and he never cleans up after himself.) icon I’m unsure of the gauge, but it can easily be fashioned into the shape of a candy cane. However, I needed needle-nose pliers to bend the ends.

Now it was time to start stringing them.

Once I deemed it large enough, I bent it in the shape of a candy cane. I did this step before I secured the other end because the hook part of the ornament needed a little more spacing between the beads.

Finally, I get to the fun part (as if the whole process wasn’t fun enough!) This is where I grabbed a sheet of sandpaper and distressed it to my heart’s desire. Sealing it with a spray polycryllic.

And that’s it. It probably took you longer to read this tutorial than it did for me to make it—minus the drying time.


But, before you go, this is the part where I may need your help. Should I add a bow or maybe a sprig of holly or evergreen? Or maybe all three? Let me know what you think and I’ll come back with a final pic, giving you credit for the upgrade. Thanks in advance!

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Heather McKinney
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  • Liz Nisotis-Kerr Liz Nisotis-Kerr on Nov 06, 2021

    I think some could have a ribbon, some a little greenery and some all of the stuff. Even some kind of mini ornament decoration? I think something will make them look more “finished”. I want to make some for my front yard trees! They look really festive!

  • Carole Atson Carole Atson on Nov 03, 2022

    I like the idea but it cost for the beads, wire, 2 spray paints just to make something that seems a little expensive.

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