Welcome! So happy you dropped by! Let's start with the before and after...
Making a beaded reindeer is not complicated at all. What you need most of is time, patience, and lots of glue gun sticks! ha!
I bought several paper mache reindeer at Michael's at last year's christmas sale...70% off woohoo! Here is the BEFORE....
Now, if you get the regular "brown" paper mache (unfinished) reindeer, you should spray paint it as close to your beads color as possible...unless you want to go for something art deco.
Next, you need your beaded garland, lots of em! I used a dozen packs of 10mm x 18ft (which I also bought at a few years ago at Hobby Lobby's Christmas holiday sale for 75% off). I prefer the faceted beads because they really catch the light (the dimmer the light, the more they twinkle!)
I also prefer using these beads because they have the smaller bead in between each faceted bead; helps to make nice, tight, rows.
I start wrapping the beaded garland right at the bottom of the neck and work my way to the back, then go up the neck or do the legs; be sure to always start where the beads are so that it has a seamless appearance. Make sure your first string is straight....
and off set the 10mm beads so the sit close to the previous strand...
Continue to glue and wrap...and glue and wrap, and glue and wrap, and glue and wrap and glue....and on and on.......and on....
I like to do the antlers as well; give the reindeer a more uniformed, balanced look...
You can cut shorter strips of beads where you need it. It doesn't really show any direction when you are finished...
When you are (finally) finished gluing and wrapping, this is what you can expect your finished reindeer to look like...
...a rear view....
(the gold reindeer looks as though it is saying..."do these beads make my butt look big?!) ha!
Now, remember I said the faceted beads really sparkle in dim light...my crappy camera did the best it could...but here are a few photos. First a daytime sparkle attempt...
lights on dim...very dim...
in this next photo, you can see them in the lower right corner sparkling away! (I was taking photos of my chandelier I decorated for the holidays for another post)
before and after...
There you have it! Good luck and be sure to show me your fabulous holiday beaded reindeer! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me @ enchantedrosestudio@yahoo.com!
Thanks so much for visiting me! I love reading your comments and suggestions! I'm going to grab a cuppa and will be over to view your post!
Linking with the following fabulous hosts:
Funky Junk Interiors
Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound
DIY Show Off ~ DIY Holiday Highlights #5
Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch ~ 48th Metamorphosis Monday
Cheers!
50 comments:
These are very nice!!! At first I thought you glues each bead on- Thank goodness it's pieces of garland! I would have NEVER kept it so tidy looking! Love those tassels too!
Tina-Thanks for sharing this idea, I love, love it...I can't wait to go shopping after Christmas now, I'm so inspired. They are so so sweet!
very crafty
Wow what a clever way to use beads! I guess you can cover anything with them..but your reindeers are adorable..gives them alot more bling! Happy Holidays..enjoyed your post! Miss Bloomers/Sonia
Oh, my goodness! These reindeer turned out so beautifully! You did such a great job on them. I don't believe mine would be this pretty! They look so high end and no one would ever guess you did this! Oh, you're good!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I think your reindeer are BEAUTIFUL! I don't know if I could ever make any so lovely. You didn't miss a single space! Great job. Thanks for sharing. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com
You did a wonderful job with your beading. They look perfect and they also look like they cost a lot. They're just beautiful. I had to laugh at the one asking if his butt looked to big..:).
Tina,
What a neat idea! You're a gal after my own heart. I'm always tinkering with projects too. Let me tell you if I don't stay off the Christmas sweets, my booty will be looking real big like Rudolfs!
Cathy
Tina, those are really really darling, sugar! Thanks for the tutorial. I'm STILL working on the heart wreath but got distracted by some glitter and bling. Maybe this week I'll get it done.
xoxo,
Connie
OMG - Those are stunning! I have some opaque beads, do you think they would work? I simply love what you've done!
I love these beads, and this idea. They're a great buy at the end of the season. How exciting to have a beautiful way to use them! Thanks so much for this! I'm trying it for sure.
Kelly
PS the butt comments cracked me up. It did look as if he was saying that.
:D
So beautiful! I love reindeer at Christmas time. What a fun craft :)
Gorgeous Tina! Swell project!
love,kelee
What a great idea! I threw my reindeer like this out this year and I have boxes of Mardi Gras beads! Maybe that reindeer is hiding somewhere...I just love the completed project.
First time visiting your blog and everything is so pretty. The reindeer look amazing and I love your blog header. Definitely bookmarking so I can visit some more. How nice to have found you!
Jane T.
Very cute! They look like a TON of work, but your tut doesn't sound too difficult. Love that kind of stuff! TFS :)
I am new to your sight, love it, love what you did to those raindeers, always knew something could be done, love the look you created and love the crystal ornaments, I am a new follower of yours, come for a visit, I will be back again...phyllis
Oh my goodnes! I don't know what to say! These look gorgeous and VERY expensive. I am not sure I have the skill or the patience, but I might have to at least give it a shot!! Thanks for sharing this!
The reindeer look fabulous. What a great tutorial--thanks!
Wow! Look at you go, girl! These are gorgeous! Such clear & detailed instructions, too! Think I'm going to look for some of these after Christmas & make for next year.
Hope all is well with you!
Susan
Great idea! They are stunning!
Gosh, those are neat, Tina! Loved seeing this tutorial. We missed you on Pink Saturday so I wanted to be sure and drop by to see what you were up to!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Ooooh....such a neat change with the beads added. Great! Hugs, Lana
They turned out so pretty! Also, I must tell you I just adore your blog header. It is truly FABULOUS. :)
Very pretty & shiny! Hope you didn't get any burns.. that's a lot of gluing.
Those are beautiful reindeer. I have never seen that done. Thanks so much for the "how to". You do such gorgeous work.
The reindeer are beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial...those would be a great project for when I am snowed in.
Wow! They turned out amazing! Fantastic job! I love them all dressed up and sparkly! LOL at the gold one's comment! :)
Thanks for adding your inspiration to the DIY holiday party!
Roeshel
That's hot!!! My 7-year old is reading this post with me & so loves what you did with these reindeer! Come visit me & see what I've created this week. Be sure to leave a comment! By l
OMG...these are adorable! You made it look soooo easy! They really are elegant...love the comment the deer made when looking back. LOL :-)
Susan
Stunning! Love your tutorial & the creations.
Merry Christmas, TTFN ~Marydon
**NEW BLOG**
blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com
These are so pretty. I'm going to have to look for reindeer after Christmas this year. They're now on my "to make" list. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! Stunning! I love the beaded look. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com Grab my "featured" button. This will send more traffic your way!
I love your big-butted reindeer! They are so pretty. Thanks for sharing them.
Unbelievable. I've never seen anything like this!!! I can't believe the patience you must have! :) I'm totally featuring you in the highlight post so watch for it!
Thanks for linking up your amazing creation to SNS. Just unreal.
FJ Donna
What a fun, neat project. Will be back to check out more . . .
(BTW, I found you through Funky Junk Interiors)
Gorgeous! I love how those facets catch the light!
Amy
Thank you for the super clear tutorial, you are so right about the sparkles :D
Tina , paper mache reindeer will be on my shopping list for after Xmas sales this year, that is for sure. These are just too pretty. I just bought a new glue gun, so I'll be ready!
hugs, Sue
Hello Tina; Love your beaded beauties... I will have to keep a look out for some to buy,, on sale of course.... an make some.... they are so pretty.... and her bucket does not look big at all... lol love it...
Merry Christmas
Hugs;
Alaura
Goodness, those are amazing! They look like they belong in a high-end department store display :)
These are beautiful! I've made wreaths using beads before, it takes alot of patience.
Nah... those beads don't make your butt look big.. LOL How funny... Gorgeous beading but man oh man what a lot of work.
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
I'm so excited to make these next year! I found a plain sleigh and reindeer, and some beaded garlands too. :) Thanks for sharing!
I will check out your etsy store. Merry Christmas.
i have only recently found your blog & am in awe of your talent. everything you touch turns out beautifully & i love it all. tfs your mosaic tutorial; i hope you'll do others in the future.
I love your heart ornament wreath. I featured it on somedaycrafts.blogspot.com So gorgeous!
Hi Tina,
I have been catching up with you today and have enjoyed my visit. I love your beaded raindeer!!!!.
I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year and may all your dreams come true this year.
Hugs,
Elizabeth~Home is Where the Heart is
Tina, your reindeer are very nice! Love them! Thanks for the tip. Hopefully I'll come across some reindeer myself.
Blessings,
Sandi
These are quite beautiful!!! I will keep an eye out bc I know there is still severely discounted Christmas items out there...!!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog btw. Yes, definitely not handpainted on the ceiling. Just putting the glue on was a struggle on my back! :)
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