DIY style maven stringing beads toy & wooden necklace

by mari

DIY make your own Stringing Beads Toy and Stylish Kids Necklace

Being a semi-fashioanble designer momma, it seemed important that Birdie’s quick-and-dirty-do-it-yourself stringing bead toy could be more. In fact, it could actually be a rather lovely little girl’s necklace. I mean, why not?! It’s a simple trip to your local craft store for two ingredients. Then your kidlet does all of the work. Can’t get much easier than that. My 2.5 yo, Birdie, loves hers so much that we actually haven’t ever finished it. She’s still stuck in a a holding pattern: string it, unstring it, rattle the beads in the bowl, then repeat. But when she finally gets it done, think how proud she’ll be – I’m certain your kiddos will be too. Scroll to the bottom of the post to see a video of her in action! (Update: this would be an awesome gift for kids to make and give!)

style maven wooden stringing beads toy & necklace

The things you’ll need:

  • 15 – 20 wooden beads, I believe we used beads that are 20 mm
  • 45 – 50″ of 7/8′ satin ribbon
  • tapestry needle for stringing
  • A bowl. Because a big part of the fun around here is putting them in and out of the dang thing. Honestly, you might want 2 bowls. Maybe several.

the how to:

Start things off with a knot about 16″ from one end. Add the needle to the other and hand it over. On the first couple of tries, Birdie needed a little help figuring out how much pressure she needed to push the beads over the end of the needle, but then she went straight to work.

Once you’ve agreed on how many beads you’d like on the necklace, add a second knot at the end of the beads. Then measure out extra ribbon and tie your bow in the back. Slip it over your child’s head and Voila! Instant Style.

When she’s older, I’d love to try making one with a knot between each bead – it’d be an added challenge, and I think the necklace would hang better too.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

1 fanfamfun September 26, 2011 at 8:46 am

this is a great idea! really pretty too. would be a perfect grandma christmas gift. something they might even wear (since they don’t want to wear the pasta necklaces ;) x

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2 Miz Big September 26, 2011 at 8:57 am

Thanks!
Making these as gifts is a brilliant idea!!! And affordable too!

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3 Zina :: Let's Lasso the Moon September 26, 2011 at 9:12 am

I love that you added the video in. {adorable} I have to add it to my DIY Handmade Gifts board on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/zina/diy-handmade-gifts/

Thanks for sharing!

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4 Miz Big September 26, 2011 at 9:31 am

I’m so glad you said that, I debated about the vid! Thanks for sharing it on Pinterest!

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