Beads and Lace Candy Cane Ornament

When I think of candy at Christmas, I always think of candy canes. Here's directions and photos for a beautiful, quick and easy, low-cost Beads and Lace Candy Cane Ornament that's guaranteed to be calorie-free!




Materials:

Chenille Stems
Tri-beads
Pony Beads
Beading Lace, 5/8" wide
1/8" or 1/4" Ribbon
Narrow metallic cord
Tacky Glue
Glue Gun (optional)

Note: For each Candy Cane, it will take 20 red tri-beads, 18 crystal tri-beads, 12" ribbon, 12" narrow cord, 6" chenille stem, and about 22" of beading lace.

Directions:

Cut 12" chenille stem into 2 - 6" pieces. 

Fold 1 end of 6" chenille stem 1/4", creating a 90 degree angle. Insert other end of chenille stem through 2 small holes of beading lace, folding lace as you insert chenille stem. Add 2 red tri-beads, and insert chenille stem through next 2 small holes of beading lace.

Add 2 crystal tri-beads  and insert chenille stem through 2 small holes of beading lace. 

Repeat steps until you have used 10 sets of 2 red tri-beads and 9 sets of 2 crystal tri-beads. End with 2 red tri-beads and 2 small holes of beading lace. 

Trim lace through the next large hole. Bend remaining end of chenille stem 1/4". Bend both ends of chenille stems to the back over lace and tri-beads to secure. Glue ends of lace to bent chenille stem. (I know, they look like cute little caterpillars at this point. That could be a variation!)

Front of ornament

Back of ornament

Curve into candy cane and space beads evenly.

Cut a 12" piece of ribbon, and tie it into a bow. Glue to the Candy Cane using Tacky Glue or a glue gun. Add a tiny drop of glue to the knot of the bow to keep the knot secure.

Cut a 12" piece of metallic cord or 1/8" ribbon. Tie it to around the top of the candy cane slightly off center to offset the weight (see photo). Tie the ends in a knot, and add a tiny drop of glue to the knot. 

Tip: Add glue or Fray Check to the ends of the cord and ribbon to prevent fraying.

Silver Metallic Bow & Cord

Gold Metallic Bow & Cord

Nancy's Additional Notes and Tips:

• Beading lace, chenille stems, and tri-beads and pony beads are available at Consumer Crafts. Most of these supplies are also available at your local craft stores.
• 1 Pony Bead can be substituted for each 2 tri-beads.
• Other colors of tri-beads and ribbon can be substituted.
• This is a great "kids' activity" since it teaches patterns and measurement, and kids love to create these ornaments. Very young children will need help with the lace, or the lace could be omitted.
• These ornaments are great for gift-giving as package ties, with homemade "goodies", and with a gift-card.

Beads and Lace Candy Canes - ready for your tree!