Fourth of July Popsicle Beaded Garland
In the summer I like to decorate my home with summer themed items including Fourth of July themed decorations. I created this popsicle beaded garland banner for my back porch. I combined perler bead popsicles I created with wooden beads I purchased from the Dollar Tree. This is an easy summer craft that combines a few projects.
To begin you will need to make several perler bead popsicles. The amount you create will depend on the length of your garland and personal preference. I ended up with 9 red, white and blue perler bead popsicles.
Perler beads are a fun craft activity for the summer. Kids will love creating these and can easily make by following a pattern. You may want to help them to speed up the process. Start by adding the perler beads to make the popsicle top.
Create popsicles for your 4th of July beaded garland banner.
Next, add the beads to create the popsicle stick. After, you will need to seal the beads using an iron. This step should be done or supervised by an adult. Do not all children to do this step without your guidance. To do this, you will need to add a piece of the ironing paper. This comes in all perler bead sets when you purchase them. They are great because they can be used over and over again. Simply move the iron around in circular motion for around 30 seconds, you can check to see if the beads are connected by lifting the paper and checking.
When completed iron the perler beads to fuse them together.
If the bead are connected, carefully flip the board over. Then, life the frame and add a second piece of ironing paper to the other side of the popsicle. Then iron the other side. Remember to move the iron slowly in circles. Lift the paper and check the perler beads to make sure they are connected well. Repeat the ironing process if needed.
Continue the ironing process to create the amount of popsicles you need.
Now, prepare the bead for creating your own wooden beaded garland. I purchased wooded beads from the Dollar Tree. I cut them apart to get the beads off. I used 3 total for this project.
Remove the beads to use for your beaded garland.
Use a large piece of twine, cut the twine larger than you think you will need, it is easy to cut off the excess. The size will depend on the area you will be hanging the garland. The great part about making your own is you can make it to the exact size you need for your space. Next, thread the beads onto the twine. You can simply add them on to the twine. To make this part go quicker, I used a wool needle with a loop on the end for easily adding any size string to. I purchased these at my local Hobby Lobby.
Add the beads onto your precut twine.
Add the beads on, leave some space for placing the perler bead popsicles. I placed mine after a pattern of 12 beads. To add the perler bead popsicles, I added a piece of red floral wire. I twisted the wire onto the popsicle. After, I added the popsicle onto the garland in the place I wanted them Wait until you have places everything on your garland before you tie off the end.
Use red floral wire to connect the perler bead popsicles.
When complete, tie the ends of the twine, leaving a loop for hanging the garland up. You can display this in your house on a staircase or outside on your porch or patio. This make a a great patriotic decoration for the entire summer season.
