Beaded Christmas Trees: 16 Sparkly Handmade Ideas That Look Way More Expensive Than They Are

Beaded Christmas trees are having a huge moment, and once you see one catch the light on a windowsill, you will understand why. These little wire trees are covered in glass seed beads, crystals or pearls, and they sparkle like something from a fancy department store window. Videos showing how to make them have pulled tens of millions of views this year, and for good reason: the supplies cost a few dollars, the steps are relaxing, and the finished tree looks like an heirloom. You twist a bit of wire, slide on some beads, and bend the branches into shape while you watch a holiday movie. Here are sixteen beautiful versions to try, from classic green to dreamy pastel pink..

Beaded Christmas Trees in Green, Gold and Crystal

Start with a trio and you will be hooked. Making beaded Christmas trees in three colors lets you test what you like best, and together they look like a boutique display. Each tree uses the same simple method: thread beads onto a short piece of wire, twist it into a loop that becomes a branch, then gather the branches around a central trunk from the top down. Green feels classic, gold feels rich, and clear crystal looks like ice. Set them on a wood slice and you have a centerpiece in one evening. Which color will you make first..

You will need: Beading wire (26 to 28 gauge), thicker wire for the trunk, seed beads in green, gold and clear, wire cutters, small round wood slices, a hot glue gun used by an adult.

How to make it: 1. Cut 4 inch wire pieces, thread about an inch of beads on each and twist the ends into a loop branch. 2. Make 20 to 30 branches, then wrap them around the trunk wire starting small at the top. 3. Fluff the branches into a tree shape and have an adult glue the trunk into a wood slice.

Classic Green Beaded Christmas Trees in a Clay Pot

The classic green version is where most people begin, and it never goes out of style. Mix two or three shades of green seed beads for a natural look, then add a few red beads as tiny ornaments. A copper wire trunk gives a warm, vintage feel. Plant the finished tree in a small terracotta pot filled with moss, and it looks like a real little pine on your windowsill. It is the perfect gift for a teacher or neighbor. Who on your list would love one?

You will need: Green seed beads in two or three shades, a few red beads, copper beading wire, a small terracotta pot, floral foam, moss, a gold bead star.

How to make it: 1. Make your branches, slipping a red bead into every few loops. 2. Wrap the branches around a copper trunk and top it with a small bead star. 3. Push the trunk into foam inside the pot and cover the foam with moss.

A Clear Crystal Tree That Sparkles

If you want maximum sparkle on your beaded Christmas trees, use clear faceted beads. They catch every bit of light and throw little rainbows across the room. Silver wire keeps the whole tree looking icy and elegant. Stand it on a mirrored tray with some white greenery and silver ornaments, and it looks like something from a luxury hotel lobby. Faceted acrylic beads are a cheaper choice than glass and still shine beautifully. Where in your home gets the best afternoon sun?

You will need: Clear faceted glass or acrylic beads, silver beading wire, a crystal star bead, a small mirrored tray, white faux greenery.

How to make it: 1. Thread four or five faceted beads per branch and twist each into a loop. 2. Build the tree with silver wire, keeping the top branches short. 3. Add a crystal star bead to the tip and display it on a mirrored tray.

Beaded Christmas Trees in a Vintage Teacup

This one is pure fun. Alternate red and white beads on each branch and the tree looks just like a twist of peppermint candy. Then stand it in a thrifted floral teacup instead of a pot. Thrift stores are full of single teacups for a dollar or less, and beaded Christmas trees in teacups make sweet gifts with a pack of cocoa tucked beside them. Fill the cup with a little foam or modeling clay so the trunk stands up straight. Do you have an orphan teacup in your cupboard?

You will need: Red and white seed beads, silver wire, a thrifted teacup and saucer, floral foam or air dry clay, a silver wire star.

How to make it: 1. Thread red and white beads in an alternating pattern on each branch. 2. Assemble the tree and bend a small star from leftover wire. 3. Press foam or clay into the cup and push the trunk in firmly.

A Gold and Pearl Tree on a Brass Candlestick

For an old money look, combine gold seed beads with creamy pearls. Then use a short brass candlestick as the base instead of a candle. Brass candlesticks are easy to find at thrift stores, and they lift the tree up like a sculpture on a pedestal. Set it on a dark green velvet runner and it looks like an antique shop treasure. This is the kind of piece people assume you paid a lot for. Would you keep it or give it away?

You will need: Gold seed beads, small pearl beads, gold wire, a short brass candlestick, florist putty or a cork that fits the candle cup.

How to make it: 1. Thread a pearl at the tip of each branch with gold beads behind it. 2. Build the tree and trim the trunk to about an inch below the bottom branch. 3. Push the trunk into a cork or putty set inside the candle cup.

A Snowy White Tree on Driftwood

Frosted white and silver beads make a tree that looks dusted with snow. Mount it on a smooth piece of driftwood and you get a soft coastal winter look that works from December right through February. White beaded Christmas trees pair beautifully with flocked bottle brush trees and pine cones tipped in white paint. This is a lovely choice if your home leans neutral and calm. A small drill hole in the driftwood holds the trunk securely. Do you have a beach find saved from summer?

You will need: Frosted white and pale silver beads, silver wire, a piece of clean dry driftwood, a small drill used by an adult, glue.

How to make it: 1. Mix frosted and silver beads as you thread each branch. 2. Build the tree, leaving an inch of bare trunk at the bottom. 3. Have an adult drill a small hole in the driftwood, add a drop of glue and set the trunk in place.

Pick the Right Seed Beads

Seed beads come in sizes like 11/0, 8/0 and 6/0, and the bigger the number, the smaller the bead. For beaded Christmas trees, size 8/0 or 11/0 gives the most delicate look, while 6/0 beads are faster and easier for beginners. Buying beads on pre strung hanks saves money and makes threading quicker, since you can slide them straight onto your wire. Glass beads have more shine than plastic. Want a shortcut? Grab a mixed jar of greens and let the color variety do the work.

You will need: Seed beads in sizes 6/0 to 11/0, a bead mat or a dish towel, small dishes for sorting.

How to make it: 1. Decide on your look: delicate (11/0) or quick and bold (6/0). 2. Pour a little of each color onto a bead mat so they do not roll away. 3. Mix two or three shades in one dish for a more natural tree.

The Only Tools You Need

You do not need a fancy kit. A small pair of wire cutters, a pair of round nose jewelry pliers and a bead organizer box are enough to make dozens of trees. The pliers help you twist tight loops and bend branches without hurting your fingertips. An organizer keeps colors separate so you can grab what you need. Most of these tools cost a few dollars at a craft store and last for years. Keep everything in one box so you can craft whenever you have a spare twenty minutes. Is there a jewelry kit hiding in your closet?

You will need: Wire cutters, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, a bead organizer box, a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Cut wire pieces to the same length with the ruler and cutters. 2. Use round nose pliers to form each loop. 3. Use chain nose pliers to twist branches tightly around the trunk.

A Rainbow Retro Bead Tree

Grandma’s old ceramic trees with their colorful plastic lights inspired this version. Use a rainbow of faceted beads in red, amber, blue, green and purple, and add one bright bead at the tip of every branch like a tiny bulb. It looks joyful and nostalgic at the same time. Beaded Christmas trees in rainbow colors are also a great way to use up leftover beads from other projects. Put it near a lamp and watch the colors glow. Does this remind you of a tree from your childhood?

You will need: Faceted beads in five bright colors, green seed beads, gold wire, a small wooden base.

How to make it: 1. Thread green seed beads on each branch and finish with one bright faceted bead at the tip. 2. Mix the bright colors evenly around the tree. 3. Mount the trunk in a wooden base and place it near soft light.

Raid a Thrift Store Bead Stash

Here is a money saving secret: thrift stores and estate sales often sell old necklaces and bead boxes for almost nothing. Cut apart a few broken strands and sort the beads by color, and you have enough to make several trees. Vintage glass beads often have a soft glow that new ones lack. It is also a lovely way to reuse a family necklace that has been sitting in a drawer. What treasures might be in Grandma’s jewelry box?

You will need: Thrifted necklaces or bead boxes, small scissors, a sorting tray, zip bags or small jars.

How to make it: 1. Cut the old strands over a tray so no beads escape. 2. Sort the beads by color into small jars. 3. Use them in any tree, mixing a few vintage beads in with new seed beads.

Pastel Pink Beaded Christmas Trees

Pink Christmas decor is everywhere this year, and pastel beaded Christmas trees fit right in. Make a little forest in blush pink, mint, lilac and pearly white, then set them on a painted tray with pink glass ornaments and a velvet bow. The soft colors feel dreamy and sweet in a bedroom, nursery or girly bathroom. Paint a thrifted wooden tray with chalk paint in your favorite pink to finish the look. Would your daughter or granddaughter love this one?

You will need: Seed beads in blush pink, mint, lilac and white, silver wire, a wooden tray, pink chalk paint, a velvet ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Make four trees in different heights, one color each. 2. Paint the tray pink and let it dry. 3. Arrange the trees on the tray with a few pink ornaments and a velvet bow.

Line Beaded Christmas Trees Along the Mantel

Once you have made a few, group them together. A row of beaded trees in different heights and colors along a mantel or bookshelf looks like a designer display. Tuck them into a fresh pine garland so the bases are hidden, then add a few glass ornaments between them. Taller trees go toward the middle and shorter ones at the ends for a balanced look. This is where your collection really starts to shine. How many trees would fill your mantel?

You will need: Five or more finished beaded trees in mixed sizes and colors, a fresh or faux pine garland, glass ornaments.

How to make it: 1. Lay the garland along the mantel. 2. Place the tallest tree in the middle and work outward with shorter trees. 3. Hide the bases in the garland and fill gaps with ornaments.

A Mini Bead Tree Ornament

Not all beaded Christmas trees need to stand up. A flat beaded tree ornament takes less than half an hour and looks wonderful on the big tree. Bend a single piece of wire into a zigzag tree outline, thread green and gold beads across it in rows, and add a ribbon loop at the top. Make a dozen and you have a handmade set of ornaments, or tie them onto gifts instead of a bow. They are light, so they will not bend even thin branches. Who would you hand one of these to?

You will need: Thin gold wire, green and gold seed beads, a few red beads for the star, thin red ribbon, round nose pliers.

How to make it: 1. Bend wire into a flat zigzag tree outline about three inches tall. 2. Wrap beaded rows of wire across the outline from bottom to top. 3. Add a red bead star and a ribbon loop at the tip.

A Beaded Wire Star Topper

Every tree needs a star, and you can bead one to match your little trees or even your big one. Bend heavy gold wire into a five point star, then wrap it with thin wire strung with gold beads until it glows. Leave a coil of wire at the bottom to slip over the top branch. A gold beaded star on a small tabletop tree looks just as charming as a store bought topper and costs a fraction of the price. Will you make a star for every tree?

You will need: Heavy gold craft wire, thin gold beading wire, gold seed beads, round nose pliers, wire cutters.

How to make it: 1. Bend the heavy wire into a star shape and twist the ends together. 2. Wrap thin beaded wire around each arm of the star. 3. Coil the leftover end into a spiral that slips over the treetop.

Wrap Beaded Christmas Trees as Gifts

Beaded trees make thoughtful gifts, and they sell well at craft fairs too. Nestle each tree in a small box filled with crinkle paper, wrap it in kraft paper and tie it with velvet or satin ribbon. Add a tag that says it was handmade by you. Many crafters price small trees at fifteen to twenty five dollars at holiday markets, and larger crystal ones even higher. If you love selling handmade pieces, see these vintage bottle brush tree ideas too. Who is first on your gift list?

You will need: Small gift boxes, crinkle paper, kraft wrapping paper, ribbon, gift tags.

How to make it: 1. Fill the box with crinkle paper and nestle the tree inside. 2. Wrap the box in kraft paper. 3. Tie with ribbon and add a handwritten tag.

Host a Bead Tree Night With Friends

Making beaded Christmas trees is relaxing, chatty work, which makes it perfect for a holiday craft night. Set out bowls of beads, precut wire and a few pairs of pliers, pour some hot cocoa, and let everyone make a tree to take home. Beginners pick it up within minutes. If you want a visual guide first, this bead tree video walks through the whole process. Craft nights turn into traditions fast, so do not be surprised if your friends ask for a repeat next year. Who would you invite?

You will need: A big table, bowls of seed beads, precut wire pieces, several pairs of pliers, wood slice bases, cocoa and snacks.

How to make it: 1. Precut a stack of wire pieces before guests arrive. 2. Set up stations with beads, pliers and bases. 3. Show one branch together, then let everyone build their own tree.