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DIY Wood Bead Garland With Tassels

Learn how to make DIY wood bead garland with tassels and add natural wood texture to your living space. Use it to style your coffee table, sideboard, mantel or Christmas tree, and add a touch of bohemian flair to your home. You can even use the garland as a natural essential oil diffuser. This article includes a detailed step-by-step tutorial as well as instructions for making cotton tassels for your wood garland.

DIY wood garland styled on coffee table with bohemian decor objects

Have you ever seen something on Pinterest or on your favorite Instagram account and thought, “Oh, I can make that!”? Then, you do a quick Google search and realize that it’s been done. A lot.

Well, even though that happened, we still wanted to make and share this DIY wood bead garland for its simplicity. We also liked this decorative garland for its sustainable, eco-friendly and natural elements – unfinished wood beads and unbleached cotton string.

Also, making this homemade wood bead garland was definitely cheaper than buying it, and that’s the goal of a good DIY, right? Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make.

DIY wood bead garland styled on coffee table
DIY wood bead garland styled with IKEA KVISTBRO storage table & Elements of Style coffee table book.
Homemade bohemian wood bead garland on credenza

Supplies for making a wood bead garland

To make this wood bead garland with tassels, you will need the following easy to find materials:

You can also paint or wax the wood beads beforehand, if you prefer. But we liked the natural pale wood tone of the beads, so we strung them without waxing or painting them. If you plan on using the garland as an essential oil diffuser, don’t wax or paint the beads.

NOTE: You can use a large embroidery needle, if you have one on hand, instead of the scotch tape method for stringing the beads that is discussed below. But we found that wrapping the ends of the string with scotch tape is an easier and quicker way to make this garland.

Supplies for making a DIY wood bead garland
Natural wooden beads and cotton string for making a wood bead garland.

How to make a DIY wood bead garland with tassels

This bead garland requires two tassels to complete the look. You can skip the tassels and make a wood bead garland without tassels, if you prefer.

First, to make a tassel, wrap your cotton string around your hand approximately 20 times, starting and ending with both end pieces going in the same direction (as shown in the photo below).

Creating a tassel for wood bead garland

Next, about a third of the way down, tie off the top part of the tassel. Then, wrap your string approximately 12-15 times around, creating a uniform edge. Be sure to tie off the end that doesn’t include the already cut strings, which should be facing downward.

Wrapping cotton string to create a tassel for wood bead garland

After wrapping, tie the ends in a tight knot, allowing the pieces to hang down and become part of the tassel. Or, clip them off and tuck them under the wound string, if you prefer.

Cotton tassel for DIY wood bead garland

Next, cut the bottom loop to create your DIY cotton tassel. Trim evenly, if necessary.

Creating a tassel for DIY wood garland – scissors cutting cotton string

Use scotch tape to wrap one end of the cotton string (while it’s still on the spool) to create a stiff tip, and then thread the string through the top of your tassel.

Don’t cut your string off the spool until you’re sure how much you need. You’re going to string the wood beads with your string doubled, so you need to pull the length of string you will require completely through, double it, and then add a few inches BEFORE you cut your string from the spool.

The length will depend on the number of wood beads you plan to string.

Threading cotton string through handmade cotton tassel for wood garland

Once you determine the correct length, tie a knot at the top of your tassel to anchor it. (See photo.) Our natural wood bead garland was 48” long, so the amount of string we used was 100 inches (or approximately 8′ 4″).

Cotton tassel for wood garland

To begin stringing your wood beads, tape both pieces of your string ends together to create another stiff tip so that you can thread both pieces of string easily though the beads.

Stringing beads onto DIY wood bead garland

Once your wooden beads are completely strung, cut off your double scotch taped end and pull one side of string through the top of your second tassel.

With the other end of your string, create a knot at the top of the tassel in the same way you did with the first cotton tassel. Tie your knot tightly, cut and hide the ends in the loop. Make sure the knot is secure before you clip the ends of your string.

How to use your wood bead garland

Your finished homemade wood bead garland can be artfully strewn anywhere in your home. The beads are perfect for easy coffee table or sideboard styling, and also look lovely draped over a vase or on a pile of books.

DIY wood bead garland on coffee table

As well, depending on how long your finished wood bead garland is, it can be used as decorative garland for your Christmas tree. Or it can be draped on your fireplace mantel, along with some fresh greenery, for a festive display during the holiday season. The beads also look lovely draped across a pretty wood bowl.

DIY wood bead garland hung on Christmas tree
This wood bead garland can also be used to adorn your Christmas tree.

To use the wood beads for aromatherapy or to quickly freshen the air in your home, add 8-10 drops of your favorite essential oils to the beads. Instant homemade essential oil diffuser!

Overall, we think this DIY wood bead garland with tassels is a simple and inexpensive way to add a natural wood element, texture and bohemian flair to your coffee table, dining table, credenza vignettes or holiday decor. It’s also an easy way to enjoy the aromatherapeutic benefits of your favorite essential oils.

Wooden bead garland styled in living room

Homemade touches like this lend a personal touch to your living space – they’re like jewelry for the home. And, this eco-friendly wood bead garland with tassels is one of the simplest natural home DIYs we’ve ever shared! We hope you found this tutorial easy to follow.

Woman in pink dress holding DIY wood bead garland
Wood bead garland pictured with Moroccan rug from Anou 

If you have any questions or comments about this project, please let us know in the comments below.

Close up of DIY bohemian wood bead garland styled on IKEA coffee table
Yield: 1 garland

DIY Wood Bead Garland with Tassels

Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $5

Learn to make an easy DIY wood bead garland with cotton tassels. This inexpensive homemade decor piece adds an element of natural wood texture to any living space. Use it to style your coffee table, sideboard, mantel, or to add a touch of bohemian or farmhouse flair to any corner of your home.

Materials

Instructions

    1. This garland requires two tassels. To make a tassel, wrap your string around your hand approximately 20 times, starting and ending with both end pieces going in the same direction (as shown in the photo).
    2. Next, about a third of the way down, tie off the top part of the tassel. Then, wrap your string approximately 12-15 times around, creating a uniform edge. Be sure to tie off the end that doesn’t include the already cut strings, which should be facing downward.
    3. After wrapping, tie the ends in a tight knot, allowing the pieces to hang down and become part of the tassel. Or, clip them off and tuck them under the wound string, if you prefer.
    4. Next, cut the bottom loop to create your tassel. Trim evenly, if necessary.
    5. Use scotch tape to wrap one end of the cotton string (while it’s still on the spool) to create a stiff tip, and then thread the string through the top of your tassel.

      Don’t cut your string off the spool until you’re sure how much you need. You’re going to string the beads with your string doubled, so you need to pull the length of string you will require completely through, double it, and then add a few inches BEFORE you cut your string from the spool.

      The length will depend on the number of beads you plan to string.
    6. Once you determine the correct length, tie a knot at the top of your tassel to anchor it. (See photo.) My garland was 48” long, so the amount of string I cut was 100 inches.
    7. To begin stringing your beads, tape both pieces of your string ends together to create another stiff tip so that you can thread both pieces of string easily though the beads.
    8. Once your beads are completely strung, cut off your double scotch taped end and pull one side of string through the top of your second tassel.
    9. With the other end of your string, create a knot at the top of the tassel in the same way you did with the first tassel. Tie your knot tightly, cut and hide the ends in the loop. Make sure the knot is secure before you clip the ends of your string.

Notes

  • You can also paint or wax your wooden beads. I liked the natural pale wood tone of the beads, so I strung them as is onto cotton string.
  • You can also use a large embroidery needle, if you have one on hand, instead of the scotch tape method, but I find wrapping the ends of the string with scotch tape is easier and quicker.
  • You can also use your wood bead garland for your Christmas tree. Simply make the garland longer to fit your tree.

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Woman holding DIY bohemian wood bead garland

Mona

Friday 9th of July 2021

I love it. What is the size of the wood beads

Kim

Friday 9th of July 2021

Thanks, Mona! The size of the wood beads is approximately 25mm or 1 inch.

Jauquetta

Tuesday 17th of December 2019

Please sign me up for your emails. I can't wait to try your overnight face mask. My skin is differently drying out at night. Always had oily skin but now, with age, it's gotten dry. I'm just now, at 70, getting wrinkles so the oily skin worked in my favor! Not sure what an overnight sleep mask is, appliance wise. Will check that out.

Kim

Wednesday 18th of December 2019

Hi Jauquetta, we will email you! Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy the sleep mask if you try it.

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