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Project Tutorials >

How to String Glass Bead Christmas Garlands ~ Instructions, Tips and Supplies


Glass bead garlands are a beautiful addition to Christmas trees and very fun to make, especially with so many possible color combinations.  Below are simple instructions for how to string your own garlands, complete with string recommendations and three different color ideas to guide you.

Supplies: Beading Cord, Blown Glass Beads, Hooks, Dresden Stars or Medallions, Scissors

Step 1: Unwind silk cord from card.  One end will have an attached needle for stringing.

Step 2: Tie sturdy knot through hook at end opposite the needle.  Fold Dresden Stars together with foil sides out and thread through the center of both onto cord.  You may wish to use pointed scissors to poke small holes in the Dresdens first.

Step 3: String glass beads onto cord.

Step 4: Thread the remaining Dresden stars onto your cord.  Tie a sturdy knot leaving at least 1/2" slack in your cord to allow the garland to drape nicely on the tree boughs.  Guide needle back down through the Dresden stars so cord is on the underside, between Dresdens and bead. 

Step 5: Cut needle off leaving 1/2" to 3/4" of cord. Use needle to push cord tail through the Dresden stars at beginning end of garland.  Trim cord leaving 1/2" to 3/4".


Tips: If you're uncertain of how many beads you'll need or what colors to choose, we've included three different looks below to guide you, including needed bead quantities.  Make as shown, or substitute bead colors and styles to customize ~ there are literally tens of thousands of different color combination possibilities!

Including less-costly spacer beads is a great way to "stretch" out your design.  Below, the Classic Christmas pattern shows this technique using amber colored spacers while Multi-Color Mix uses clear spacers.

It's very important to leave at least 1/2" slack in the cord so the beads have room to move.  If beads are too tight they could break or your garland will look stiff and not drape properly.

Hooks are optional but do make it easy to attach the garland ends to your tree when decorating. They can be fashioned out of 24 or 26 gauge wire by bending a small piece in half and then further bending it into a hook shape.  If you choose to go hook-less, simply tie the cord gently but securely around the first and last bead.

A word about string types: We prefer to string garlands on silk beading cord -- the attached needle makes adding beads super easy, plus the cord is strong, elegant and doesn't stretch out over time.  We have made quite a few garlands in the past using thick upholstery/carpet thread with pleasing results.  Unwaxed dental floss can work for shorter, lighter weight garlands but, in our experience, the knots have a tendency to slide out over time and most floss nowadays is waxed.  Waxed linen thread is a great option if you wish to make a long garland with extra large beads, as it allows for tying very strong knots (it is on the thicker side though, so make sure it will pass through the bead holes).

If you wish to secure your knots extra well, consider adding a tiny drop of fabric glue (like Aleene's Tacky Glue) and gently working it into the cord fibers.

5 additional garland designs are linked here: 5 Retro and Festive Glass Beaded Garland Patterns


Woodland Carnival is a pretty mix of glossy and matte beads that fits in beautifully with a wide range of decor styles.

This is the beading pattern to follow:

Pattern #1: E A E D C D B D C D E A E 

Pattern #2: F G F H E D B D E H F G F

Your garland will begin and end with pattern #1.  String pattern #1 onto your cord, followed by pattern #2 and repeat this sequence, ending in pattern #1.  Your garland will have 7 sections of pattern #1 and 6 sections of pattern #2.  Completed length is approximately 71" which is 5 ft. 11 in.

This is the bead code:

A = 10mm gold GBR10G  ~ 14 beads needed

B = Matte flowers GB013MCY ~ 13 beads needed

C = Aqua diamonds GB004AQ ~ 14 beads needed

D = Amber spacers GBC03A ~ 33 beads needed

E = 8mm burgundy GBR8BU ~ 40 beads needed

F = 6mm aqua GBR6AQ ~ 24 beads needed

G = 3-bump pink GB085PK ~ 12 beads needed

H = Gold acorns GB018G ~ 12 beads needed



Classic Christmas features glossy shades of green, burgundy and silver separated by golden amber spacer beads.

This is the beading pattern to follow:

Pattern #1: A B C B A B E B A B C B A 

Pattern #2: B D B C B F B C B D B

Your garland will begin and end with pattern #1.  String pattern #1 onto your cord, followed by pattern #2 and repeat this sequence, ending in pattern #1.  Your garland will have 10 sections of pattern #1 and 9 sections of pattern #2.  Completed length is approximately 75" which is 6 ft. 3 in.

This is the bead code:

A = 8mm burgundy GBR8BU  ~ 40 beads needed

B = Amber spacers GBC03A ~ 114 beads needed

C = 10mm dark green GBR10DKG ~ 38 beads needed

D = Pale green petal GB019PCG ~ 18 beads needed

E = Silver spiral tube GB083S ~ 10 beads needed

F = Faceted burgundy ball GB080BU~ 9 beads needed


Multi-Color Mix features glossy colorful round and textured beads separated by clear spacer beads.

This is the beading pattern to follow:

Pattern #1: A B C B A B D B A B C B A 

Pattern #2: B E B G B A B F B A B G B E B

Your garland will begin and end with pattern #1.  String pattern #1 onto your cord, followed by pattern #2 and repeat this sequence, ending in pattern #1.  Your garland will have 11 sections of pattern #1 and 10 sections of pattern #2.  Completed length is approximately 75" which is 6 ft. 3 in.

This is the bead code:

A = 6mm pink GBR6PK  ~ 64 beads needed

B = Clear spacers GBC03C ~ 146 beads needed

C = 8mm forest green GBR8FG ~ 22 beads needed

D = 10mm gold GBR10G ~ 11 beads needed

E = Aqua faceted GB080AQ ~ 20 beads needed

F = Red quilted drop GB055R~ 10 beads needed

G = 10mm burgundy GBR10BU ~ 20 beads needed



30 Aqua Round Glass Beads 6 mm ~ Czech Republic

30 Aqua Round Glass Beads 6 mm ~ Czech Republic

$7.95

30 Pink Round Glass Beads 6 mm ~ Czech Republic

30 Pink Round Glass Beads 6 mm ~ Czech Republic

$7.95

30 Burgundy Round Glass Beads 8 mm ~ Czech Republic

30 Burgundy Round Glass Beads 8 mm ~ Czech Republic

$8.95

15 Burgundy Round Glass Beads 10 mm ~ Czech Republic

15 Burgundy Round Glass Beads 10 mm ~ Czech Republic

$8.95

15 Dark Green Round Glass Beads 10 mm ~ Czech Republic

15 Dark Green Round Glass Beads 10 mm ~ Czech Republic

$8.95

15 Gold Round Glass Beads 10 mm ~ Czech Republic

15 Gold Round Glass Beads 10 mm ~ Czech Republic

$8.95

5 Red Quilted Drop Blown Glass Beads 1.25" ~ Czech Republic

5 Red Quilted Drop Blown Glass Beads 1.25" ~ Czech Republic

$5.95

7 Aqua Diamond Cut Blown Glass Beads 1" ~ Czech Republic

7 Aqua Diamond Cut Blown Glass Beads 1" ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

New!
Gold Dresden Foil Flowers ~ 102 ~ Double Sided Foil

Gold Dresden Foil Flowers ~ 102 ~ Double Sided Foil

$3.95

New!
Silver Dresden Foil Flowers ~ 102 ~ Double Sided Foil

Silver Dresden Foil Flowers ~ 102 ~ Double Sided Foil

$3.95

Medium Antique Gold Dresden Foil Stars ~ 72

Medium Antique Gold Dresden Foil Stars ~ 72

$4.95

Medium Silver Dresden Foil Stars ~ 72

Medium Silver Dresden Foil Stars ~ 72

$4.95

6 Pale Celery Green Flower Bud Blown Glass Beads .75" ~ Czech Republic

6 Pale Celery Green Flower Bud Blown Glass Beads .75" ~ Czech Republic

$5.95

New!
Gold Dresden Foil Flowers ~ 36 pcs ~ Double Sided Foil

Gold Dresden Foil Flowers ~ 36 pcs ~ Double Sided Foil

$3.95

New!
Silver Dresden Foil Flowers ~ 36 pcs ~ Double Sided Foil

Silver Dresden Foil Flowers ~ 36 pcs ~ Double Sided Foil

$3.95

10 Pink Faceted 3-Bump Blown Glass Beads 8mm ~ Czech Republic

10 Pink Faceted 3-Bump Blown Glass Beads 8mm ~ Czech Republic

$9.95

Gold Dresden Foil Halos or Medallions ~ 21

Gold Dresden Foil Halos or Medallions ~ 21

$5.95

Silver Dresden Foil Halos or Medallions ~ 21

Silver Dresden Foil Halos or Medallions ~ 21

$5.95

6 Gold Acorn Blown Glass Beads .75" ~ Czech Republic

6 Gold Acorn Blown Glass Beads .75" ~ Czech Republic

$5.95

7 Matte Palest Yellow Fancy Flower Blown Glass Beads .625" ~ Czech Republic

7 Matte Palest Yellow Fancy Flower Blown Glass Beads .625" ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

6 Silver Ribbed Drop Blown Glass Beads 1.25" ~ Czech Republic

6 Silver Ribbed Drop Blown Glass Beads 1.25" ~ Czech Republic

$7.95

100 Amber Glass Spacer Beads ~ Czech Republic

100 Amber Glass Spacer Beads ~ Czech Republic

$4.95

100 Clear Glass Spacer Beads ~ Czech Republic

100 Clear Glass Spacer Beads ~ Czech Republic

$4.95

Gold Garland or Beaded Ornament Hooks ~ Set of 10 ~ Czech Republic

Gold Garland or Beaded Ornament Hooks ~ Set of 10 ~ Czech Republic

$3.95

Silver Garland or Beaded Ornament Hooks ~ Set of 10 ~ Czech Republic

Silver Garland or Beaded Ornament Hooks ~ Set of 10 ~ Czech Republic

$3.95

8 Aqua Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

8 Aqua Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

8 Dark Green Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

8 Dark Green Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

8 Dark Teal Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

8 Dark Teal Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

8 Gold Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

8 Gold Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

8 Pearl Blue Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

8 Pearl Blue Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

8 Pearl Rose Pink Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

8 Pearl Rose Pink Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

8 Pink Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

8 Pink Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

8 Burgundy Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

8 Burgundy Faceted Ball Blown Glass Beads 13mm ~ Czech Republic

$6.95

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Grey ~ Size #10

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Grey ~ Size #10

$5.95

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Jade Green ~ Size #10

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Jade Green ~ Size #10

$5.95

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ White ~ Size #10

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ White ~ Size #10

$5.95

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Grey ~ Size #8

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Grey ~ Size #8

$5.95

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Jade Green ~ Size #8

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Jade Green ~ Size #8

$5.95

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ White ~ Size #8

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ White ~ Size #8

$5.95

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Grey ~ Size #6

100% Natural Silk Bead Cord on Card ~ 2m long ~ Grey ~ Size #6

$5.95