DIY Candle Christmas Ornament - Free Christmas Pony Bead Patterns

Materials Needed:

• 1 - Lanyard Hook OR 1 - Key Ring

  The lanyard hook or key ring is just a standard recommendation. I didn't use either one for this candle. If you're making an ornament or decoration, you might prefer a decorative ornament hook or a jump ring and decide how you'd like to hang it later.

• Cord - Approximately 4 ft

  There are lots of different types of cord you can use for your beaded candle. Of all the different kinds of cords we've tried, a flat plastic lacing such as Rexlace (also called boondoggle or plastic lace) seems to work best for these types of patterns. It helps the rows of beads sit neatly together without bunching or curling as easily and helps your finished ornament keep its shape. Round cords about 1.5mm to 2mm thick also work well. There's also a plastic cord called pony bead cord that is supposed to be good, although I haven't tried it myself. If all you have is a thinner cord, you can weave a little wire or pipe cleaner into your ornament to help it hold it's shape.

  Helpful Hint: If you use cord and your cord end frays easily, try dipping it into a little melted wax and smoothing it out with your fingers. This helps prevent fraying and creates a stiffer end for threading through your beads.

  2mm Metallic Cord
• 9 - Pony Beads (For the candle flame, we used transparent yellow. Gold or orange beads also work well.)
• 21 - Pony Beads (For the candle, we used a frosted matte crystal.)
• 33 - Pony Beads (For the base and handle, we used transparent dark ruby.)

• Glue
• Scissors
• Ruler or Measuring Tape

• Optional: If your beaded candle needs a little extra stiffness, you can weave a piece of pipe cleaner or wire through one of the wider rows to help it hold its shape.

  Beading Wire OR Pipe Cleaners

Instructions

1. Most patterns like this call for folding your cord in half. For this one leave one end about 6 inches longer than the other. We'll use that extra length to make the candleholder's handle at the end. If you're using a key ring or lanyard hook, attach the cord with a lark's head knot as shown in the photo.

Note: Omit the previous step if you are using a different type of connector for your ornament. You still want to do the 6 inch longer side as described above.

2. Using the beaded candle diagram below as your guide, begin weaving the rows of beads from the top of the candle. Thread the beads for your first row onto one cord, then pass the other cord back through those same beads from the opposite direction, as shown in the illustration. Pull both cords until the beads sit snugly together.

Note: The tension of your cord does make a difference. The rows should sit snugly together without being pulled so tightly that your candle begins to curl or twist. If a row doesn't sit straight, loosen it, straighten the beads and pull the slack out again.

3. Continue working your way down the candle, following the bead arrangement and cord paths in the diagram. You'll be making the flame, candle and holder as you work through the pattern.

4. When you reach the wider sections of the candleholder, take a look at how the rows are sitting together. If your candle isn't holding its shape as well as you'd like, you can weave a piece of pipe cleaner or wire through one of the wider rows for extra support. You may not need it at all, depending on the cord you're using.

5. When you finish the last row of the candleholder's base, tie off the shorter cord where it ends. Take the longer cord and thread it back through the previous row, then add 5 beads to make the handle. Thread that cord through the top row of the base, and tie it off there. Apply a drop of glue to the knots to prevent them from coming untied, then trim the excess cord when dry.

That's all there is to it!

The illustration below uses red and blue to show how each side of your cord is woven through the beads. You can click it to open a larger version and refer to it as often as you need to.

Other Ideas and Uses for This Project

Make a pair of earrings using this pattern substituting seed beads or E beads and a small gauge wire instead of the pony beads and cord. A miniature version might make a nice charm for a Christmas bracelet or a pair of holiday earrings.

Another idea is to use your finished Christmas ornament pony bead candle on a wreath or as part of a Christmas centerpiece. It could hang from a small tabletop tree or be attached to a decorative branch arrangement. You might also enjoy using one to decorate a holiday gift basket, where it can be kept as an ornament after the gift has been opened.

Did You Know?

Before electric Christmas lights became common, some families decorated their Christmas trees with real candles. Special clips and holders were used to attach them to the branches, although the open flames created a serious fire hazard. Electric tree lights eventually offered a much safer way to enjoy that candlelit appearance. Little candle ornaments like this one are a reminder of those earlier Christmas decorating traditions.