I made an ultra-small Christmas tree, and if you like this kind of cute craft, I'll show you how to make one, too!
Miniature Ornaments
These miniature ornaments are made with some leftover glass beads I have had on hand for ages. I don't like the coating. It likes to chip and flake when it touches other beads or spacers. I think they will work fine as a single bead pendant, though.
Components:
- Bead (8mm diameter or so)
- Head pin
- Crimp bead or other small bead
Tools
- Flush cutters
- Round Nose Pliers
- Needle nose pliers (curved or straight)
Insert the head pin through the bead. Make sure the head is large enough, and bead hole small enough, to not slip through the bead entirely. Clip off excess wire and set aside.
Add crimp bead. Use round nose pliers to form a small loop. Lock the bead in place by twisting the tag end of wire into the opening of the bead. This requires some dexterity, and is complicated if the wire is too soft or too rigid.
Use the excess wire, or another piece if necessary, to form an S hook. Make one end large for branches or needles, and the other small so it secures your ornament.
Tree Stand
I made a small tree stand to hold a small spruce or fir branch as a miniature Christmas tree.
Components
- Slab of scrap wood
- Clothespin
- Craft stick
- Tree branch (spruce or fir works best)
Tools
- Cutting tool
- Glue
- File or sandpaper (I used my Leatherman tool)
- Machete to lop branch from tree (optional)
Cut the ends of your craft stick to support one half of your clothespin as a spacer around the spring. I abused my flush cutters, because I was in a hurry, and they were right there.
Glue the craft stick pieces to the clothespin. Then glue the other side of the craft sticks to secure this assembly to a slab of wood or other suitable base material.
There will probably be a leftover scrap piece as seen here. Save or discard as you see fit.
And now we're back to the beginning. Since half of the clothespin is free to open, you can use it to clasp a small branch. Then hang the tiny ornaments and have yourself a merry little Christmas!
