Beaded Tinsel: 15 Sparkly Handmade Strands That Make Any Tree Look Like Grandma’s

Beaded tinsel is the handmade Christmas craft everyone is suddenly searching for. In the past week, searches for beaded tinsel and DIY beaded tinsel shot up so fast that Google Trends marked them as breakout. On October 25, a reel showing long strands of glass beads hanging from a tree pulled about 261,600 reactions and 15,000 shares in just two days. People love that it looks like the sparkly trees of their childhood, but never sheds and can be used for years. All you need is beads, fishing line and a cozy evening. Here are 15 sparkly ideas to make your own strands before the tree goes up..

Beaded Tinsel: The Handmade Sparkle Everyone Is Making

This is the look that has crafters stringing beads at the kitchen table again. Long strands of glass beads hang from the branches and catch the light from every side, a lot like the tinsel many of us remember from childhood. It never sheds, it packs away easily, and it lasts for years. One strand takes about an evening. You can see the reel that kicked off the craze on Facebook. Ready to grab a bowl of beads..

You will need: Glass beads, clear fishing line or thin craft wire, small scissors and a bowl to hold the beads.

How to make it: 1. Cut a length of line about three feet long. 2. Tie a knot at one end and string the beads. 3. Knot the other end and drape it over the branches.

Classic Clear Glass Bead Strands

Clear glass beads are the most classic choice, and they go with any ornaments you already own. Hung in long strands, they look like icicles that never melt. String them on thin white wire if you want them to hold a gentle curve, or on fishing line for a straight drop. Mix a few sizes for more sparkle. Under the tree lights, the whole tree seems to shimmer. Isn’t it amazing how plain glass can look so magical?

You will need: Clear glass beads in two or three sizes, thin white craft wire or fishing line and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Mix the bead sizes in a bowl. 2. String about three feet per strand. 3. Hang the strands straight down from the tips of the branches.

Warm Gold and Champagne Beads

If your home leans warm and cozy, gold and champagne beads are the way to go. They glow softly next to white lights and look lovely with wood, plaid and vintage ornaments. Drape them in loose swags from branch to branch instead of straight down. This style looks like it came from a grandmother’s attic in the best way. Mix in a few pearl beads for extra softness. Does your tree have a warm or cool color scheme?

You will need: Gold, champagne and pearl glass beads, fishing line and scissors.

How to make it: 1. String beads in a random mix of the three colors. 2. Make strands about five feet long for swags. 3. Drape them loosely from branch to branch.

Beaded Tinsel With Mercury Silver and Crystals

Mercury glass beads have that old mirror shine, a little silvery and a little smoky. Add tiny faceted crystals between them and the strand throws little rainbows when the light hits it. This beaded tinsel looks very elegant on a tree with silver and white ornaments. It also looks beautiful in a window where the sun can reach it. Space the crystals every few beads so they do not crowd. Would you hang this on the tree or in a window?

You will need: Mercury silver glass beads, small faceted crystal beads, fishing line and scissors.

How to make it: 1. String three silver beads, then one crystal, and repeat. 2. Knot both ends well. 3. Hang near lights or a window for the most sparkle.

Pastel Rainbow Beads From the Sixties

Pastel bead garlands were a big part of many trees in the 1960s, and they are coming back now. Pink, mint, lilac and pale yellow beads look cheerful and playful, especially with retro ornaments. Make strands in a repeating pattern or let the colors fall at random. Either way, it brings a happy, candy shop mood to the room. This is a fun one to make with older kids. What colors would you pick?

You will need: Pastel glass beads in four or five colors, fishing line and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Sort the beads by color into small cups. 2. String them in a pattern you like. 3. Drape in swags around the tree.

Short Bundles Tied With Velvet Bows

Not ready to cover a whole tree? Make short bundles instead. Tie five or six strands of beads together at the top with a little velvet bow and hang them like ornaments. They swing and sparkle every time someone walks by. This is also a smart way to use up leftover beads from bigger projects. A dozen bundles look lovely on a small tree. Which ribbon color would you choose?

You will need: Glass beads, fishing line, red velvet ribbon and ornament hooks.

How to make it: 1. Make five or six strands about six inches long. 2. Gather them at the top and knot together. 3. Tie a velvet bow over the knot and add a hook.

Gold Beaded Tinsel on a White Flocked Tree

Gold beaded tinsel looks extra rich against a snowy white flocked tree. The contrast makes every strand stand out, even from across the room. A skinny tree works best because the strands can hang without getting lost in the branches. Keep the rest of the decor simple, with a few gold balls and a soft white tree skirt. It looks like a winter wonderland in a magazine. Would you try a white tree this year?

You will need: Gold glass beads, fishing line, a flocked tree and a few gold ornaments.

How to make it: 1. Make long gold strands. 2. Drape them in wide swags from the top down. 3. Add a few gold ball ornaments in the gaps.

The Fishing Line Method for Straight Strands

Fishing line is the easiest way to start. It is clear, strong and cheap. For strands that hang perfectly straight, tie a small knot after every few beads so they cannot slide down into a clump. It takes a little longer, but the finished beaded tinsel looks neat and even. Put on a holiday movie and string while you watch. Most people can finish a strand in one evening. Want to give it a try tonight?

You will need: Clear fishing line, glass beads, a small bowl and sharp scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut a long piece of line and knot one end. 2. Add three beads, then tie a small knot. 3. Repeat to the end and finish with a double knot.

Red and Clear for a Candy Cane Mood

Red and clear beads strung in a pattern look just like candy canes. They are cheerful, classic and perfect with red and white ornaments. Try three red beads and three clear beads, over and over, for a striped look. Kids love helping count the beads. This style also looks great on a kitchen tree or a small tree in a child’s room. Would your family love a candy cane tree?

You will need: Red and clear glass beads, fishing line and scissors.

How to make it: 1. String three red beads, then three clear beads. 2. Repeat to the end of the line. 3. Drape in swags with red and white ornaments.

Beaded Tinsel on a Mantel Garland

Beaded tinsel is not only for trees. Drape a few strands over a mantel garland and weave battery LED fairy lights through it. The beads pick up the glow and twinkle all evening. Let a few strands hang down in loops so they catch the light. It adds sparkle without any risk, since the LED lights stay cool. Keep the fireplace clear of all decor if you use it. How would you dress your mantel this year?

You will need: Glass bead strands, a faux greenery garland and battery LED fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Lay the garland on the mantel. 2. Weave the LED lights through it. 3. Drape the bead strands in loose loops on top.

Frosty Bead Icicles in a Wreath

Short strands of clear beads tucked into a wreath look just like frosty icicles. Make them different lengths so they hang in a natural, uneven line along the bottom. It turns a plain store wreath into something that looks custom made. Hang it on the front door or above a mirror. The sparkle is lovely in the winter sun. Would you put yours inside or outside?

You will need: An evergreen wreath, clear glass beads, fishing line and floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Make ten to fifteen short strands of different lengths. 2. Tie each one to floral wire. 3. Tuck the wire into the bottom of the wreath.

Wind Each Strand on a Card So It Never Tangles

Here is the trick that makes beaded tinsel easy to love year after year. When the season is over, wind each strand around a rectangle of cardboard and tuck the end into a small slit. The strands stay neat and never tangle. Stack the cards in a shallow box and they are ready for next year in seconds. For another easy holiday make, see our bottle brush trees. Wouldn’t that save a lot of frustration next December?

You will need: Cardboard rectangles, scissors and a shallow storage box.

How to make it: 1. Cut a small slit in one end of each card. 2. Tuck the strand end in and wind it around. 3. Tuck the other end in and store the cards flat.

Kid Friendly Pony Bead Strands

Small glass beads are a choking risk for little ones, so give kids big plastic pony beads and soft yarn instead. Wrap a bit of tape around the end of the yarn so it works like a needle. They can make their own colorful strand for their room or the family tree. It is great for fine motor skills and keeps them busy for ages. Keep the glass beads up high and away from small kids and pets. What colors will your kids pick?

You will need: Plastic pony beads, yarn, tape and child safe scissors.

How to make it: 1. Wrap tape around the end of the yarn. 2. Let kids string the beads in any pattern. 3. Tie a knot at both ends and hang it up.

Turn Broken Necklaces Into Beaded Tinsel

Have a box of broken costume jewelry? Those beads deserve a second life. Cut the old necklaces apart, sort the beads, and restring them into new beaded tinsel. The mix of colors and shapes gives each strand a one of a kind, vintage look. It is also a sweet way to use a grandmother’s old beads and keep her memory on the tree. Do you have a jewelry box full of broken treasures?

You will need: Old bead necklaces, small scissors, fishing line and a sorting tray.

How to make it: 1. Cut the old strands over a tray to catch the beads. 2. Sort them by color or size. 3. Restring them on new line and knot both ends.

A Jar of Handmade Strands as a Gift

Handmade beaded tinsel makes a beautiful gift for anyone who loves a vintage tree. Coil a few strands into a clear glass jar so the colors show through, then tie a red ribbon around the lid. Add a little tag that says it was made by hand. It is the kind of gift that gets used every single year. Who on your list would treasure a jar like this?

You will need: A clear glass jar, finished bead strands, red ribbon and a gift tag.

How to make it: 1. Coil each strand loosely into the jar. 2. Close the lid and tie the ribbon. 3. Add a handwritten tag.