How to Make Beaded Snowflake Ornaments – VIDEO

Learn how to make beaded snowflake ornaments with our step-by-step craft project video tutorial for kids and adults!

Add a festive touch of sparkle to any holiday decor with beaded snowflakes. The sparkling colors and magical frosty shapes of beaded snowflake ornaments make these Christmas crafts stand out above the rest. These easy snowflake crafts can add a festive touch to any holiday decor with their sparkling colors and magical shapes. Beaded snowflakes are fun crafts for kids and adults to make for Christmas and other winter holidays, such as Hanukkah, Yule, or the winter solstice.

However, hand-beaded snowflakes are easy winter crafts you can make and enjoy throughout the winter season, and store away to enjoy each year again. Snowflakes made with beads also make gorgeous suncatchers hanging in a sunlit window. Hand-beaded snowflakes sparkle and shine beautifully in the sunlight. This simple snowflake craft activity would also make a great complement to a math or science lesson, such as one on patterns and symmetry or weather and climate, respectively. Beading snowflakes is also a fabulous fine motor activity for young children and older adults to strengthen and maintain hand strength and dexterity.

Add a little bling to your Christmas tree and other winter decor with a few homemade sparkling beaded snowflake ornaments. The snowflake craft tutorial below makes it easy to create beaded snowflakes for festive winter holiday decorations and more. DIY beaded snowflake ornaments look gorgeous hanging on Christmas trees, Yule trees, or even a white twig tree. First published on December 7, 2017, this snowflake craft project tutorial is regularly updated to improve the content. You might also enjoy this list of gorgeous DIY Christmas ornaments that kids can make.

Related: Fun Family Christmas Traditions

DIY Beaded Christmas Snowflake Ornaments:

As a child, beading and jewelry making were my favorite hobbies. Today, I love to share this creative pastime with my daughter. Learning to make beaded snowflake ornaments is an easy Christmas craft for kids, teens, and adults.

You only need a few snowflake craft supplies and the desire to create gorgeous beaded patterns! Add a touch of sparkle to your festive holiday decor this season with these beautiful beaded Christmas snowflake ornaments.

Follow the simple step-by-step instructions below to learn how to make this simple DIY wire bead snowflake ornament craft. It’s a Christmas craft that both children and adults will enjoy! For more information about beaded crafts and jewelry making, visit How to Start and Finish a Beaded Necklace or Bracelet. 

How to Make Beaded Snowflakes:

The step-by-step Christmas craft tutorial below teaches how to make beautiful beaded snowflake ornaments and crafts with faceted beads and wire snowflake forms. Faceted crystal and glass beads make these snowflake crafts sparkle and shine, while the wire snowflake forms provide a stiff frame to hold the beads in place. Alternatively, you can use pony beads and pipe cleaners (chenille stems) to make beaded snowflakes.

Wire snowflake frames offer a sturdy, long-lasting base for snowflake crafts. However, pipe cleaner snowflakes can be easier for children to assemble on their own. Instructions for making pipe cleaner snowflake forms for these hand-beaded crafts are included in the step-by-step craft tutorial, along with the complete directions for both types of beaded snowflake craft options: beaded pipe cleaner snowflakes and beaded snowflakes on wire craft forms.

Wire Bead Snowflake Ornament Craft Supplies:

Please read the step-by-step beaded snowflake craft instructions below before choosing craft supplies from the recommendations below, so you can make a more informed decision about the materials you will use.

• Wire snowflake forms—I used a 3.75-inch wire snowflake form to make the beaded snowflake ornaments shown in the photographs and the DIY video tutorial for this craft. However, a slightly larger star wireframe also works just as well. Purchase the size you most prefer along with the beads you like best.
  • Alternatively, you can use pipe cleaners to create the wire form and pony beads instead of smaller crystals, pearls, or faceted glass beads. This is an excellent option for toddlers.
  • The step-by-step instructions below make it easy to use any size and type of wire snowflake form to make beaded snowflakes.
• Round nose pliers – inexpensive option or professional option (not needed if making the wire snowflake forms with pipe cleaners)
• Ribbon or monofilament line (fishing string)
• Choose one of the following bead options:
  • Swarovski crystal beads (Use 2mm to 8mm beads for smaller wire snowflake forms and 2mm to 12mm beads to make larger beaded snowflakes for your holiday decorations.)
  • Faceted (cut) glass beads
  • Pearl beads
  • Pony beads work well for beaded pipe cleaner snowflake crafts.

Related: DIY Christmas Ornaments

Best Craft Supplies for Beaded Snowflakes:

As you can see on the list of recommended craft supplies above, several Christmas snowflake ornament beading options are available today to make these gorgeous winter crafts. You can even use pipe cleaners to make beaded snowflake ornaments, but they are not as strong as snowflake crafts made with sturdy wire snowflake forms. They don’t hang as well because some of the arms will often droop slightly. And toddlers and cats can tangle them up into a crazy ball that looks nothing like a snowflake within minutes.

In contrast, beaded snowflakes made on sturdy wire forms can last for several years if not decades, especially when cared for and stored away correctly. You can put them in your box of Christmas decorations to use again year after year. However, step-by-step instructions for both types of beaded snowflakes are included in this comprehensive tutorial. You might also enjoy making these homemade Clay Snowman Ornaments. 

Best Beads for Making Beaded Snowflake Ornaments

Swarovski crystal beads make the most amazing beaded snowflake crafts for Christmas or the winter solstice. Pearl beads or beads with a pearl-like sheen also make lovely snowflake ornaments with a matte, frosty wintery look, rather than the frozen sparkle and shine of faceted crystal or glass beads that look like icy snowflakes flashing in the sunlight. Of course, Faceted (cut) glass, or even plastic beads, can work to make bead snowflake Christmas ornaments on wire snowflake forms (and look very pretty), but using genuine crystal beads gives that extra bit of sparkle that shines!

You can use a variety of beads, such as seed beads, small or thin spacers, bicones, rounds, rondelles, or larger beads, depending on the type and size of snowflake form you use. I recommend using a variety of complementary and contrasting sizes, colors, and shapes to make the best beaded snowflakes. As mentioned in the supply section, 2mm to 8mm beads are best for the smaller wire snowflake forms. Larger beads, 2mm to 12mm, can be used on larger wire snowflake forms.

No matter which size or type of snowflake form you choose, create a pattern with visual interest on each arm of the snowflake craft, as shown in the DIY beaded snowflakes video tutorial below. The bead holes in 10mm Pony Beads are a bit large to look good beaded on most wire snowflake forms, but they work fantastically on cut, folded, and twisted pipe cleaners or chenille stems shaped into a snowflake with six arms of equal length. (Step-by-step instructions are included within the DIY beaded snowflakes tutorial below.)

Use leftover beads to create beaded necklaces and bracelets to give as gifts. In my experience, children love beading, and it helps their hands become strong and supple. Remember, “nimble fingers make nimble minds.” Learn how to turn leftover beads into beautiful DIY necklaces HERE–> How to Make Beaded Jewelry.

How to Make Beaded Snowflake Ornaments: Step-by-Step DIY Instructions

Learn how to make beaded snowflake ornaments with the step-by-step directions below. Both children and adults can enjoy this snowflake craft. In the next section, you can “see” how to complete each step in the handmade beaded snowflake video tutorial. Please read the instructions and watch the video before starting this Christmas craft, so you know the steps and what to expect. Reading through the instructions before making beaded snowflake crafts also makes it easier to make a more informed choice about the craft supplies you want to use for this winter craft project.

1. Gather and Prepare Supplies:

• Read through the instructions below, then gather your preferred snowflake forms and beads from the supply options above.
• If you are using pipe cleaners or chenille stems instead of wire snowflake craft forms, use the step-by-step instructions below to create the beaded snowflake form before proceeding to the next step.
  • Pipe cleaner snowflakes are easier for toddlers and preschoolers to make with minimal assistance.
  • Three pipe cleaners make two snowflake craft forms.
  • Use pipe cleaners, or chenille stems in pale, frosty, wintery colors such as white, pinks, light blue, and purples, or metallics like silver and gold that sparkle, and beads to complement or contrast.

How to Make a Wire Snowflake Craft Form with a Pipe Cleaner:

1. Cut two pipe cleaners or a chenille stem into equal halves. (Fold them in half to find the center before cutting.)
2. Fold three of the halves into equal halves, and set the fourth aside for a later snowflake form. (It takes three pipe cleaners to make two beaded snowflakes.)
3. Interlock two halves at the bend or fold, as shown in the step-by-step photo tutorial below.
4. Grab one pipe cleaner with your right hand, and the other with your left. Grasp the pipe cleaners firmly and twist them together once or twice.
5. Press down firmly in the center, and gently unfurl the ends to reveal four separate, intertwined snowflake arms.
6. Place the final pipe cleaner half behind the other two. Then wrap it tightly around the intertwined center of the other two. Twist it around once more and tighten to secure in place and create the six-pointed snowflake shape, as shown in the photo tutorial below.
7. If the center feels bulky, twist the pipe cleaners more tightly, press down firmly in the middle of the newly created pipe cleaner snowflake to trim it, and secure the form in place.
8. Use the remaining half of the pipe cleaner, along with another pipe cleaner cut in half, to make another beaded snowflake.

2. Plan a hand-beaded pattern for each snowflake ornament craft:

• Choose a simple bead pattern for each wire bead snowflake ornament. 
• Like real snowflakes, an infinite number of beaded patterns are possible for this snowflake craft.
• Various beads can be used to create stunning beaded snowflakes, depending on the shape of the snowflake you are working with.
• Use a variety of beads in various sizes and shapes, including seed beads, small or thin spacers, bicones, rounds, rondelles, and more.
• Larger acrylic beads (pony beads) are the best choice for beaded pipe cleaner snowflakes.
• The photographs and video tutorial for this snowflake craft activity show several beaded pattern options you can try.
• Play around with different bead patterns, colors, and arrangements before making DIY snowflake ornaments.
• Use a combination of complementary and contrasting sizes, colors, and shapes to make eye-catching beaded snowflakes.
• As mentioned in the supply section, beads ranging from 2mm to 8mm work well for smaller wire snowflake shapes. Larger beads, from 2mm to 12mm, are suitable for bigger wire snowflake shapes.

3. Add beads onto the Arms of the wire snowflake form:

• Using the beaded pattern planned in Step 1, slide the beads onto the wire snowflake bead ornament craft form, or the wire form made with pipe cleaners in Step 1, one arm at a time.
• When using wire snowflake forms, I recommend starting each arm with a smaller bead in the middle of the snowflake to give the beads enough room to stay in the center of the craft without knocking each other out of place.
• The number of beads required to complete each arm will depend on the size of the wire snowflake form you use and the size and shape of the beads you use to make the beaded snowflakes.
  • For example, you will need seven standard-sized 10mm pony beads (the same size and shape) to complete one arm of a beaded pipe cleaner snowflake made with the instructions in Step 1.
  • The wire form used to create beaded snowflakes in the video tutorial below required a different number of beads (generally between six and nine) for each arm, depending on the size and shape of the beads used to make each one.
• Leave 1/2 to three-quarters of an inch of space at the end of each wire arm.
• Do not start beading the next arm of the snowflake until you have closed the loop using the instructions below.

4. Close the end of each snowflake arm:

• After each beaded snowflake arm is complete, make a loop to prevent the beads from slipping off each arm of the snowflake, using the step-by-step instructions below:
• If using pipe cleaners, bend the very tip back towards the beads and tuck the end under the bead to create a small loop. (Making a tiny loop at the end of the pipe cleaner will help prevent the beads from slipping off.)
• Wire snowflake forms require the use of round-nose pliers to turn the wire’s end toward the last bead to close the loop. Follow the simple instructions below:
  • First, grab the tip of the wire form with round-nose pliers.
    • Then turn it clockwise 1/4 turn.
    • Readjust your grip and turn another 1/4 inch to complete the loop. (This critical step is shown in the video below: re-adjusting your grip to turn the loop another quarter turn is the secret to making snowflakes on wire forms.)
    • Repeat until each arm of the wire bead snowflake ornament is closed and complete.
• Once each arm of the snowflake is beaded and the loop is closed, the snowflake craft is complete.
• The photograph below shows an example of a completed beaded pipe cleaner snowflake craft decorated with a variety of translucent blue and clear acrylic beads. The white pipe cleaner loops are closed. The other photographs included throughout this DIY tutorial show beaded snowflakes on wire forms for beaded crafts.
• Add a hanger in the next step, or enjoy the snowflake craft as is. Snowflakes can also be glued onto various holiday decorations and winter DIY decor as embellishments.

5. Add a hanger to each DIY snowflake ornament (optional):

• If you want to make the beaded snowflake crafts into ornaments, follow these step-by-step instructions:
• Cut a piece of ribbon or monofilament line four to eight inches long, or use an ornament hook to hang the beaded snowflakes
• Thread it through the loop of one of the arms of each snowflake craft and tie the ends together to make the ornament’s hanger.
• Use the ornament loop to hang your homemade beaded snowflake ornaments on the Christmas Tree, Winter Solstice Tree, or a sunlit window.
• You can also give homemade beaded snowflakes to family and friends as a gift, or use hand-beaded snowflake crafts and gift tags. Snowflake ornaments are a great gift idea for friends, family, and neighbors.

6. Repeat the steps above to make more snowflake ornament crafts:

• Repeat steps one through four as needed.
• Remember, it takes three pipe cleaners to make two beaded snowflakes, so you may as well make at least two, if not four, six, eight, ten, etc. of them!
• In other words, you can make as many snowflake crafts as you want using these instructions and the video tutorial below. But I recommend sticking with an even number of beaded winter snowflakes.
• Watch the video in the following section to see each step of making DIY beaded snowflakes in action.

Related: Rhinestone Pinecone Ornaments

Related: Homemade Gifts Kids Can Make for Parents and Grandparents

How to Make Beaded Snowflakes Step-by-Step Video Tutorial:

This snowflake craft is for making beaded snowflake ornaments to adorn your Christmas Tree. However, sparkling snowflake ornaments also make lovely suncatchers when hung in a sunlit window and look just as nice when hung on the wall. Snowflake ornaments can also be made into a gorgeous winter mobile with a piece of driftwood, a bare branch, or an embroidery hoop. Watch the step-by-step DIY video tutorial to see how easy it is to make beaded snowflake ornaments with wire craft forms. This wire-bead ornament craft can help you make snowflake Christmas decorations to adorn your Christmas tree!

Related: Rustic Acorn Marble Ornaments

Easy Homemade Beaded Snowflake Christmas Ornament Kits

Use wire bead snowflake ornament forms, Swarovski crystal beads, translucent faceted (cut) glass beads, or frosty pearl beads (even if only acrylic), and needle-nose pliers to make handmade snowflake ornaments. Alternatively, buy a beaded snowflake craft kit using the Amazon affiliate quick links below. (If you click to purchase, Rhythms of Play may earn a small commission at no cost to the consumer.) Here are a few snowflake ornament kits you can use to make beaded snowflakes:

• Beaded snowflake ornaments
• Christmas beaded snowflake ornament kit
• Holiday beaded snowflake ornament kit
• Beaded Holiday Ornament Kit (Light Sapphire Snowflake)
• Christmas snowflake beaded ornament kit

Handmade Beaded DIY Snowflake Ornaments

This year, make sparkling snowflake ornaments to add a little bling to your Christmas tree. This beaded snowflake craft is a fun way to connect with the kids over the holiday break. You may also enjoy this creative roundup of homemade Christmas ornament crafts, which has several more ideas.

You might also enjoy learning how to create a magical holiday with these meaningful family Christmas traditions and the fun ideas on our winter bucket list.

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author, photographer, and videographer of this beaded snowflake craft tutorial HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!

If You Liked DIY Beaded Snowflake Ornaments, You Might Also Like:

• Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make
• Beaded Name Necklace Literacy Activity for Kids
• Ultimate Family Gift Guide: DIY and Readymade Ideas
• Best Christmas Art Project Ideas
• Christmas Traditions and Celebration Ideas

More DIY Christmas Ornament Crafts

• Angel Ornaments
• Rustic Acorn Marble Ornaments
• Rhinestone Pinecone Ornaments
• Clay Snowman Ornament Crafts
• Baby Jesus Ornament
• Snowman Head Ornaments
• Elf Ornaments
• Twig Christmas Tree Ornaments