Safety Pin Candle Decor

Have you seen the new colors that safety pins come in now? Forget plain old silver safety pins; the new ones come in colors of gold, blue, red, green and more. Theyre beautiful yet not much more expensive than ordinary safety pins. The great thing about the colored pins, though, is that they can be used to make all sorts of unique decor pieces for your home. Choose colors that go with your decor and get started making beautiful candle wraps that are unique and shimmery.

Besides the safety pins youll need one or two colors of pony beads. Pony beads are the type that have a large hole in the center. Use the ones with metallic colors to create really elegant candle wraps. Altogether youll need 36 size 2 safety pins, 54 metallic pony beads, 108 clear 8mm faceted beads, and 60" of metallic cord.

Open each safety pin and slide three of the 8mm beads onto each one. After the beads are in place close each safety pin. Set aside momentarily. Cut the metallic cord into three equal pieces of 20". Use one piece of the cord to start the beading process. Slide the cord through the head of one of the pins then slide a pony bead, onto the cord, next to the pin. Slide the cord through the next pin head and through the next pony bead. Continue in this manner until you have strung 18 pony beads and 18 pins. Its helpful if you now tie the cord around the top of a candle holder. Tie in a double knot and trim closely. Now it will be easier to make more rows of pins and beads to finish the candle holder decoration. Take the second cord and begin the second row by threading the cord through the small hole of the first row of pins. Thread the cord through the first pin in the first row, then through the head of a single safety pin, then through a pony bead. Continue threading the cord through the pins from the first row, through a new pin, and through a pony bead, until youve strung 18 additional pins and 18 additional pony beads. Make sure these pins are all facing the same way, with the faceted beads facing outward. Tie the cord, around back, below the knot from the first row. Tie a double knot and trim the ends closely. Use the third cord piece to make the final row of the candle decoration. To make the third row, thread the cord through the head of the first new safety pin, then through a pony bead. Continue threading the cord through the pin heads and a new pony bead. When finished with the third row you will have added 18 more pony beads. Now you have 18 pony beads on each row. Tie the third cord, around back, below the second knot. Trim closely. You can create all types of patterns by the beads you choose. Instead of clear faceted beads threaded onto the pins themselves use another 8mm colored bead, like red or green. When using the pony beads, alternate gold and silver, or make a pattern of several gold then several silver. Another pattern is created when you use gold pony beads on the first row, silver on the second row, then gold again on the third row. There are many different styles of candle wraps you can create by using other metallic colors of pony beads, like metallic red or green. Or, forget metallic colors and choose solid black, stark white or other colors of beads. Check your local craft store for an assortment of pony bead choices. Create chunkier looks by using beads other than pony beads. Use 10 mm faceted, and metallic thread instead of cord, to make something much different. Alternate colors of 10 mm beads or choose just one color. Each candle wrap will have a totally different look when you combine cords, threads, colored safety pins, regular safety pins, pony beads and faceted beads. Make tapered candle wraps by using smaller beads as you go down. Use 12 mm for the top row, 10 mm for the second row, and 8 mm for the third row. Or, select oval-type beads that lay next to the candle holder and come in various sizes. Youll enjoy creating all sorts of different styles for your own home or to give to friends and family.