Wednesday, December 18, 2013

PEICD (PROJECTS EVEN I CAN DO): PAINTED BEAD NECKLACE

Still looking for a holiday gift for someone that is unique and cost effective?  Try making this painted bead necklace.  Then make another one to keep for yourself!

Supplies Needed:
--Package of natural colored wood beads (I found mine at Joanns, but any craft store should have them)
--Ribbon (I chose a gold chain link ribbon that almost looked like a real chain)
--Nail polish in the colors of your choice
--Toothpick

Step 1:  Take a bead and put it on the toothpick.  This will let you paint your way around the bead without having to hold it with your fingers.  First, I painted the peach color around half of the bead.  Then I let it dry before I painted the gold color around the other half.  I was going for more of an imperfect lazy look, so the lines are definitely not straight.  It adds to the charm, right?

I've found that nail polish is awesome for painting beads.  It gives it a nice shine that regular acrylic paint doesn't and comes in lots of fun colors.  Who doesn't have a ton of nail polish lying around that needs a purpose?

Step 2:  Once your beads are all painted and dry, string them on to the ribbon.  Since the bead openings are kind of small, it's easier if you put a needle on the end of your ribbon to make it through the bead.
String all of them on, and you're done!

What other easy holiday gift ideas have you made?

14 comments:

  1. This is so cute! Definitely gonna try it in the future :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brittney! Hope you're having a great day:)

      Delete
  2. good idea using nail varnish to paint the beads with, should last longer I guess :)
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Heidi! It's a lot easier than painting with acrylic paint and then having to put on a shiny seal:)

      Delete
  3. It's fantastic Kari, and I love the tips of putting the bead on a cocktail stick and painting it with nail varnish - brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, CJ! It was a lot of trial and error at first:) You can see in one of the pictures I have gold nail polish on my hand:) Oh, well. At least it comes off easily. Hope you're having a wonderful day!

      Delete
  4. That's so simple and elegant! I love the ribbon! You had me fooled. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right? That ribbon was the best find:) Thanks, Jessica!

      Delete
  5. This is so cute! I wouldn't have thought to use the toothpick. I haven't made any of my gifts this year, but I might make some travel journals for my sisters. A few years ago I made some slippers for everyone. It was fun, but I've never seen anyone actually wearing them…hummm

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should demand to know where everyone's slippers are! I bet they do wear them or at least think of you whenever they see them in their drawer:) I always am extra sensitive when I make things for people, probably because it always takes forever to make. I made this one a day card journal thing a few years ago with vintage postcards for my mom and sister and thought it was the coolest idea. Neither of them have used it. I didn't end up using the one I made myself either, though, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised:) Those travel journals sound really cool! I bet they would love them! Hope you're having a great day!

      Delete
  6. wow, I love this idea. Now I know what I can do with all the random beads I have in my stock pile. What a great gift idea for any occasion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I love being able to use up all the stuff I've accumulated in my drawer that I don't know what to do with:) Hope you're having a great day!

      Delete
  7. this is so cute! I totally thought the ribbon was a gold chain!!! hmmm, i may just have to try this! good gift idea! thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad I fooled you:) It was so much easier than using a real chain. Thanks so much for your sweet comment! Hope you're having a great day!

      Delete

I truly appreciate each comment! I love hearing from you guys and treasure every one. I respond to comments via e-mail if you have yours enabled. This is going to be a great day!