Do you know how easy it is to use Soft Flex Craft Wire? A spool of our wonderful wire might look intimidating, but it is so simple to make wearable art or decorations in minutes. Today, we will look at Christmas decoration ideas that are beginner friendly and beautiful. Learn how to make your own ornaments with Craft Wire. If you want to make it even easier, you can use a jig board to shape your projects.
Check out our Live Sales! Click the image above to get taken to our new sales platform. Get text notifications when the show goes live. You can register to shop here - Register. And download our app here - Soft Flex App.
It's A Craft Wire Christmas! Easy Ornament Ideas For Decorations & Gifts
Buy Soft Flex Craft Wire
Soft Flex Craft Wire is a high quality, permanently colored copper wire. It is resistant to scratching, peeling and marring. This is due to the special enameling process used to coat the wire to produce the wide spectrum of colors we offer. After the enamel is applied, the wire is then clear coated to prevent tarnishing. Bare Copper is the only wire in the line that is not treated. If antiques and old findings are your medium, Bare Copper will patina - perfect for making that new project look like an heirloom.
Quality Soft Flex Craft Wire is 100% lead and nickel free. There are no other metals used in the wire production other than copper and fine silver. The temper of the wire is soft. It can be tempered to half hard. If you need to harden up your wire for ear wires or other findings, you may use a nylon hammer or wire whacker to work harden your project. Using a nylon hammer or wire whacker will allow the wire to work harden without marring or flattening the wire. An exceptional design idea deserves a professional craft wire.
Buy WigJig Jig Boards
You are going to love the WigJig Delphi!
The transparent Delphi is the perfect jig for beginning wire designers. Just place the jig on a pattern, trace with the pegs, and wrap the wire to form the design. It's simple to design with wire instantly to make jewelry, home decor, and paper arts projects. Includes jig with 181 holes and 20 metal pegs (1/16" diameter). Buy Super Pegs to enhance your collection (sold separately). The WigJig Delphi Jig is 3" x 3".
Handmade Ornament Hanger
One amazing thing about handmade decorations is that you have total control of your projects. If you want to buy ornament hangers, that is totally fine. But what if you want to personalize every aspect of your creations? A handmde hanger will turn your ornaments into one-of-a-kind art pieces!
For this design, we used Super Pegs on the WigJig board to create larger loops. You do not need to use a jig board to create anything with Craft Wire. If you do opt to use a jig board, you can replicate the size and shape of a pattern over and over. This means that all of your ornament hangers can have a uniform look.
Once you have finished creating a shape with Craft Wire, you will want to strike the wire gently. This will work harden the wire. Work hardening your wire changes the molecular structure inside the wire. This will lock in the wire shape and stiffen the wire so that your design will keep the form you want.
How To Make Homemade Christmas Decorations With Craft Wire
Homemade Christmas ornaments are full of love. You do not have to be an expert to make your own with Craft Wire. In fact, the bumps and imperfect surfaces are usually what makes handmade crafts so amazing and full of character. Leave the perfect angles and sharp edges to the mass produced decorations. Give your ornaments some personality and don't bother over correcting any flaws. Homemade ornaments are great for passing on to children or grandchildren. Make your next craft a treasured heirloom for generations down the road!
Sara and Kristen used a WigJig jig board to complete their designs. If you have never used a jig board before, they are great for designing with a pattern. Sketch out your Christmas tree and wrap your wire on the jig, over your pattern. If you use a jig board and follow a pattern, you can recreate the same design multiple times - no guesswork needed! WigJigs are high quality jigs. You can find cheaper ones, made of metal, but you cannot place a pattern beneath them. You can find cheaper ones, made of plastic, but the holes will widen with use and your pegs will start slipping. WigJigs are constructed out of the same material used to make aircraft windows. The boards are very durable and since they are transparent, you can use patterns for all of your designs!
Just note - if you are a beginner, you do not need a lot of tools. Kristen and Sara have had time to gather their tools. If you just want to get your feet wet before you commit to an investment, cutters and Chain Nose Pliers are a good start. A Wire Looping Tool is a great way to learn how to loop precise shapes. The jig board is definitely helpful, but you can always learn how to shape your wire by hand and then get a jig board if you enjoy working with wire!
Easy Christmas Angel Ornaments
This is an easy project that can be done freehand or you can use a jig board to help create the shapes. One nice thing about freehand designs, with Craft Wire, is that your wire is less rigid and more natural. If you want to create a shape that feels organic and alive, manipulating the wire shapes by hand is a great way to mimic forms in nature.
Sara had initally intended these to be shaped in the form of bats. But all of the compliments on her cute little angels made her realize that this is a multi-purpose design. This is a great pendant for Halloween, if you use black beads. Or a wonderful ornament, if you go for a holiday colorway. There is no correct way to make the wings. So make sure you make wings that speak to you!
Holiday Wire Snowman Ornament
Making handmade ornaments does not get any easier than this. This basic shape is an icon of the holiday season. This shape is instantly recognizable. Add a scarf or accessory and make it even more cute and cozy! We used a jig board with Super Pegs to create the pattern. But, again, you can make the shapes by hand or you can even use items from around the house to loop around and make your shapes.
Once the snowman comes together, you can use a smaller gauge of wire to secure the middle of the design so it never loses its shape.If you are feeling even more adventurous, you can bead the inside of the snowman with smaller wires and beads. We did this to a wire wrapped angel that you will see below.
Beaded Angel Ornament
This angel is another easy project idea. Although this one might look a little more complex, the beaded rows are very easy to string up and add to the angel. A larger gauge is used to create the basic form of the angel. Once the form takes shape, you can secure the center of the angel with a finer gauge of Craft Wire to make sure it does not come undone.
Add as many beaded rows as you like. Add a bead to create a focal point for the head. Add colorful beads that look great as decor. Or add translucent beads that will shimmer in the lights of your Christmas tree. Every angel you make is perfect, however you decide to make it!
Wire Wrapped Retro Ornaments
Homemade Christmas decorations are the best! Think about it. You are crafting your tree with ornaments that were made with love. They may not be perfect but they look amazing. They look so organic and wonderful. Every line and curve was written with your hands. If you pass these down to children or grandchildren, they will have a little moment in time that you made special. Turn your handmade ornament into an heirloom that your family can pass down for generations. What a sweet gift - an ornament they will cherish forever. Turn your Christmas crafting into a magical time!
These retro styles evoke the whimsy of yesteryear. We loved to experiment with our trees in days gone by. You might find an aluminum Christmas tree at a friend's house. You might string your tree with bubble lights. The Christmas parade would be full of fun designs that gazed towards a hopeful future.
Beaded Christmas Wreath Ornaments
Add a stunning wreath to your handmade ornaments. This elegant beaded wreath is the perfect complement to your beaded icicles. Hang these little dazzlers from the tree or turn them into a napkin ring. Make your wreath a little smaller and you have a set of Christmas earrings. This video will show you how to make a wreath that everybody will love.
You are going to love this gorgeous wreath. Add a bit of elegance to your holiday decor. This craft is easy and really quick. You do not need to have a lot of tools to complete the wreath. Add them to your Christmas tree or adorn a gift with them. You can add ribbons or your own personal touch to your wreath.
How To Make Beaded Icicle Ornaments
Brrrrrr! The chilly weather is rolling in. The house is framed with icicles and snow. These elegant icicles look so festive on the tree. They are also fun for accenting a gift. Give these to friends and family. You will be a holiday favorite. Big beautiful beads or petite little ones - both look fantastic. If you use translucent beads, your icicle will catch the light and make it dance.
These icicles are so easy to make and are one of the most wateched Christmas ornament videos we have posted on our social media. The look great on a tree or added to a gift wrap as an adornment.
How To Make A Beaded Christmas Tree Pendant
This pendant is a great little gift idea. It is simple and versatile. It can be manipulated and changed in so many ways. You can add a chain and wear it as a pendant. You can add ribbon and add it to a package. You can make it larger or smaller. It can be an ornament or an adornment in a window. It would look terrific if placed somewhere that light would illuminate the beads.
This amazing pendant is easy to make and perfect for adding a little sparkle to your holiday decor!
Join our Facebook group – VIB. Stay in the know. Stay up to date. From our bead shows to our video shows and sales, you can stay in touch with us. The community is full of artistic and helpful beaders and crafty people. Inspire and be inspired. Share your pictures and get the beading bug from others!
Visit the Soft Flex Company YouTube Channel!
Blog contributor Thomas Soles loves Jazz Age writers and crunchy french fries. His favorite gemstones are Lapis and Pietersite. His favorite hobby is day dreaming. And his favorite mustache is Freddie Mercury's. As you can see, he has a healthy (or possibly unhealthy) sense of humor. You can write to him at Thomas@SoftFlexCompany.com