DIY Holiday Home Decor: Wooden Garland

A short read on exactly what the title says

Today’s DIY post focuses on making wooden bead garland. This is a great craft to do alone, with friends and/or family, or with the kids! Just note, the beads are small so please exercise caution with children and pets.

I could give you a super long, whimsical introductory backstory about the holidays and tree decorating, but I’m not! So, let’s get to it.

Before we dive into things, please use this as a guide only. This is versatile enough to truly make your own. Choose your own adventure!

Supplies

• Wooden beads for crafts (I used a 20mm; quantity varies but for 6’ tree, I recommend between 1000-2000 beads)
• All-purpose liquid dye (I used Rit Rose Petal, you do you and use what you like!)
• Natural jute twine
• Plastic bucket or bin (2 – One to dye the beads, the other to dry them)
• Disposable gloves
• Paper towels (to line the bucket/bin while beads dry)
• Decorative items for the ends: This is the choose your own adventure part, use what you like! For the purpose of this tutorial, I tried a few things: Tassel, mini craft clips, and mini decorative ornaments from a previous project (oh hey sustainability and budget).

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Just in Case

White craft paint (this is to be used to lighten your beads if the dyed color is too dark)

How to make wooden garland

After you’ve set up your workspace with all your supplies ready to go:

Step 1

Prep the dye bath: Fill your bucket or bin with water and the dye. Please follow the specific directions for the dye you’re using. If you are using Rit, please view the directions here on their website.

Line the plastic bucket or bin the beads will dry in with paper towels.

Step 2

Pour the beads into the dye bath. With gloves on, mix around the beads in the dye bath to make sure all are covered. How long you keep them in here really depends upon the color you are aiming for. A few things to keep in mind:

• The color of the beads will slightly lighten as they dry
• The color will dye them pretty quickly. I let mine soak (while mixing around intermittently) for about 5-10 minutes)

Step 3

Remove the beads from the dye bath with your hands or a strainer and place into the paper towel-lined plastic bucket or bin.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the beads are too dark, mix 1 part water with 1 part white paint in the same bucket the beads were dyed in (rinse the bucket out first of course). Add the beads to this mixture, mix and let soak until they’ve lightened to your preference.

Step 4

Let the beads fully dry. If weather permits, sit them outdoors for 1-2 hours (pending quantity). If not, sit them indoors until fully dried.

Step 5

Once the beads have dried, you’re ready to start stringing your garland!

• Measure the jute twine against your tree or wherever you will be placing this garland and cut.
• Secure one end of the twine with the object of your choosing so your beads don’t fall off as you’re creating.
• In case the end of the twine get’s frayed as you’re adding the beads, I recommend using either a large sewing needle, tying the twine to an object small enough to thread through the holes of the beads, or fold the twine over and thread that way (see image below).

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Step 6

Once you’ve added all beads, secure the other end and your garland is complete!

Here’s a video with voiceover of the process

Did you make one? Share your pics and experience with me in the comments or on the corresponding Instagram post.

Happy Crafting!