DIY Wood Bead Christmas Garland

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Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas here on Inspired by Charm. ‘Tis the season to DIY! Today we’re making a Wood Bead Christmas Garland!

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

That’s right. For Day 10 of this series, I’m sharing a fun and colorful DIY that you can use to decorate your home for the holidays and beyond. Check out my DIY Oversize Wood Bead Christmas Garland.

Wood Bead Christmas Garland:

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

For the past year or so, I’ve been seeing these wood bead styling strands pop up on some of my favorite blogs and in home decor magazines.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

In essence, the strands are oversize wood balls on a string that you can use to decorate a shelf, style a coffee table, etc. Because of their size and shape, they add texture and movement to a vignette. And during the holidays, they can double as a beautiful garland. On their own or tucked in pine, they bring a rustic modern element to your decor.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

Typically, these wood bead styling strands are left natural. However, because I like more color in my life, I decided to paint a few of the beads to give the strand a little holiday spirit. I was also itching to paint because my friends over at Fusion Mineral Paint sent me samples of their new color collection. The Bayberry, Fort York Red, and Cranberry were just begging to be used in my holiday decor. (Stay tuned to find out how you can enter to win a collection of paints from Fusion Mineral Paint.)

I’ve been a big fan of their paint after using it several times this year for projects like my Coffee Tray, DIY Serving Board, and Fall Colorblock Cork Table Decor.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

So, with all of those ideas spinning around in my head, I got to work. Let me show you how I put this together.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

How to Make a Wood Bead Christmas Garland:

For this project you will need:

Round wood ball: 2-inch, 1.50-inch, 1.25-inch1-inch
Square wood cube: 1.5-inch
Leather cording
Drill
3/16″ drill bit
Scrap piece of wood
Gripping pliers
Sand paper
Fusion Mineral Paints
Paint brush

To begin, gather a variety of wood beads. (The ones I used are linked above.) You can use any combination you like. My finished strand was five feet long and contained 49 wood beads.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

Next, drill a hole in each bead. Grip the bead with a pair of pliers and drill into the center using a 3/16″ bit. Use a piece of scrap wood below the bead to protect your surface.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

(This drill bit makes a hole that allows the cording I used to slide through nicely. However if you choose a different cording, you may need a different size drill bit.)

With all of your holes drilled, use a piece of fine grit sand paper to clean up any rough edges.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

Now, you’re ready to paint. I selected four coordinating seasonal colors from Fusion Mineral Paints. They include Bayberry, Fort York Red, Cranberry, and Lamp White.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

For easy painting, I threaded the beads on a wood skewer and then inserted the skewer into the side of a cardboard box. This allowed me to paint the entire bead without getting paint all over my hands.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

I gave each bead two coats.

Once the beads are dry, string them on your leather cording. Again, you can choose any order you like. I made a repeating pattern with the smallest beads at the end. The painted beads are evenly spaced on the garland.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

Once the beads are strung, leave a couple inches of cording on both ends and finish off each end with a knot. (The extra cord will ensure that there’s some give in the strand so that it’s flexible and easy to shape.)

And with that, your project is complete!

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

Now, you can enjoy styling the garland all over your home.

DIY Beaded Christmas Garland:

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

As I said above, it looks great strung on the mantel, just lying on the coffee table, or spilling out of a bowl.

What I love about this project is that when the holidays are over, you can easily replace the colored beads with ones that fit the new season or your everyday decor.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

This Christmas garland is a decorative piece that easily transitions from season to season, allowing you to use it all year long.

Plus, with dozens of wood bead shapes and sizes and lots of colors from Fusion Mineral Paints, the options are endless.

DIY Oversized Wood Bead Garland | Inspired by Charm

What do you think? Will you give this DIY Oversize Wood Bead Garland a try?

Don’t forget – there are two more days in this special holiday series. See you back here tomorrow for more festive fun!

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27 Comments

  1. Love their paint. One of my go-tos for furniture projects.

    I may just try these beads now! Saw something similar in store last week and it was crazy expensive. Cheaper and way more fun to DIY.

  2. I have some wood that needs some paint – I hope I win! 🙂
    It’s a great project, along will all of your other ideas in the 12 days of Christmas. You are an inspiration, Michael!

  3. There is a warm coziness about those wooden beads, festive and at the same time not so precious.I love the combination with the felt? bead garland and I love how versatile they are just by changing the colors! Another thing I can make for decorations yay!