I just finished the cutest project this weekend, and I couldn’t wait to hop on here and share it with you all. Now that the crisp air is rolling in and I’m practically living in my oversized sweaters, my dining room table has officially transformed into a full-blown autumn crafting zone. I was digging through my stash of random art supplies trying to find something quick, colorful, and completely mess-free to do, and we ended up putting together the most adorable little harvest decorations. If you are on the hunt for a fun, hands-on activity that doesn’t involve sticky glue or impossible-to-clean glitter, you are going to absolutely love this one.
Here’s another cute fall craft idea to try:
Twine Pumpkins Made From Toilet Paper Rolls
Today, I’m going to show you exactly how to make beaded Indian corn using pony beads and pipe cleaners! I honestly forgot how relaxing it is to just sit and string beads, and this project is ridiculously simple to pull off. You only need a couple of basic, cheap supplies that you probably already have shoved in a craft drawer somewhere, making it the ultimate budget-friendly Fall craft.
The best part about these vibrant little corn cobs is how beautiful they look once you’re finished twisting them together. Real corn like this has been called Indian corn for generations, since colorful dried corn played a real part in Native American harvest traditions long before it became a Thanksgiving table decoration. We piled all of our finished ones into a rustic wooden bowl, and they instantly became this gorgeous, handmade Thanksgiving centerpiece that looks way more impressive than a handful of plastic beads has any right to! You could also string them into a festive autumn garland or tie them to your holiday place cards for a sweet, personalized touch when family comes over. So, grab a huge handful of pony beads, round up a few fuzzy pipe cleaners, and let’s get into the step-by-step tutorial so you can make your own!
Craft Supplies Needed:
- Pony beads, in assorted colors
- Pipe cleaners
How to Make a Beaded Indian Corn
Step 1: Bundle and Twist Your Pipe Cleaners
Grab 7 or 8 pipe cleaners, then gather them all into a neat little bundle in your hand, making sure the ends are lined up as evenly as you can get them. Once they are all nicely aligned, pinch them together about an inch or two from the bottom and give them a couple of tight twists to lock them all firmly in place.
Step 2: Spread Them Out Like a Spider
Spread the loose ends of your pipe cleaners flat on your work surface so they look a little bit like a spider. Just make sure the twisted knot you just made is pointing upward, since you’ll want that part to end up safely hidden on the inside of your corn cob later.
Step 3: String on Your Pony Beads
Grab one pipe cleaner from your spider spread and start sliding on about 20 pony beads. You can choose whichever color combinations you like, classic reds, whites, yellows, and oranges, or even throw in some black, brown, purple, and blue! You can plan out a fun pattern before you start or just string them on completely randomly. Repeat this for every single pipe cleaner, making sure to push the 20 beads all the way down to that twisted center base.
Step 4: Shape the Corn and Twist the Tops
Once you are done adding all your beads, carefully gather the pipe cleaners back together in your hand to form your corn cob shape. Make sure the beads are pushed down and tightly packed together, then carefully twist the empty tops of the pipe cleaners together a few times to lock all those beads securely in place.
If you love beading with pipe cleaners, try our DIY Christmas Tree With Pipe Cleaners next, or check out the DIY Thanksgiving Yardstick Centerpiece for another easy harvest table idea. Browse more fall crafts for even more budget friendly ideas this season.
You only need two cheap supplies: pony beads in assorted colors and pipe cleaners. Both are easy to find at any craft store, which makes this an inexpensive Fall craft.
Yes, stringing pony beads onto pipe cleaners is a simple, repetitive motion that kids can do too. Just supervise younger kids so the small beads stay off the floor.
Pile a few finished cobs into a bowl for an easy Thanksgiving centerpiece, string them into a fall garland, or tie one to a place card for a handmade touch at the table.
Definitely. A bundle of beaded Indian corn tied with ribbon makes a quick, budget friendly DIY gift idea for teachers, neighbors, or a hostess gift.
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