Each year, I try to find some beginner-level stitching projects for Christmas that I can carry in the shop – the types of projects that are low-pressure, enjoyable, satisfactory, and just fun.
Craft nights, gift giving, long winter evenings, weekends meant for relaxation – these are times when small, quick kits are the perfect companion.
Last year, I brought in these really cute Christmas ornament kits featuring wood foundations with simple designs for stitching. Beginners and beyond enjoy stitching them, and because they’re also boxed nicely, they’re perfect for gifts. Kids can do them! Adults can do them! They’re just fun! We’ve had requests for them already this year. Yes, they’re coming – we have a shipment of them arriving in the first week of November.
But I was itching to add something a bit more blingy to the offerings for this year. I like things that sparkle – especially during the holidays – so I started hunting around for something that twinkles and glitters and glints. When I came across these little bead embroidery kits featuring a variety of birds, I knew I had to pursue them. And lo! I found more! A whole range of bead kits that can be finished as ornaments. Jolly!
I bought some of the kits to test so that I’d know if the kit contents and instructions were satisfactory. These are some of the samples we stitched up.
Do you ever tie handmade ornaments onto gift packaging? I do! These work really well for that.
And man, do they sparkle! They’re the ultimate adorable blingy birds for any kind of ornamenting.
They don’t have to be Christmas ornaments, though. I happen to love hanging bird ornaments on my Christmas tree, so they make sense to me for that purpose.
But for those who want to use them other ways, don’t worry – you can do whatever you want with them!
The kits include backing hardware to make the items into brooches to pin on clothes and more, and they also contain cording to finish them as hanging ornaments.
Although the instructions aren’t super detailed, they are sufficient, especially for anyone who has any familiarity with stitching. They are basic, but the whole project is rather basic. It’s just a matter of sewing on a variety of beads, sequins, rhinestones, and wires.
All the elements are sewn on with the included clear filament beading thread. The design is very clearly printed on the foundation fabric, so that you can see exactly what kind of element goes where. All the elements are individually bagged. There are diagrams for the layout of all the elements used to fill the shape, and diagrams explaining how to stitch them on.
We were a little shy about trimming the non-woven foundation fabric too closely at first, but as we stitched up more of the sample set I bought, we’ve become bolder about trimming more closely. I’ll share photos of our later efforts down the road.
These are “all inclusive” kits, made here in the US, and ready to stitch when they arrive on your doorstep.
And they are So Fun! I’m excited about them!
We’ll have a variety of the bead kits available, some of which are multiple projects in each kit (think: multiple ornaments for your own tree, craft nights with family and friends), while others are single ornament kits. The various fruit designs are quite pretty! There are hummingbirds, a little beefeater soldier, fabulous tropical fish (fish ornaments are a Thing, you know!), and some other critters – a leaping deer, an adorable little mouse.
These and the wooden ornaments will be available in about a week or so, in plenty of time for pre-holiday merriment. I’ll let you know when they’re in the shop and ready for you!
Stitch-Along Ornament
And oh yes, we will definitely be doing a stitch-along Christmas ornament this year. When I have time in the studio, that’s what I’m working on right now. Anna is already assembling the kits. It’s a simple ornament, but with plenty of scope to it for personalizing. We’re also planning to release a variety of similar designs worked the same way (a themed collection – like these wreaths we did a few years ago, or these trees, or these snowflakes).
As you know, my studio time is a very limited these days, so the themed collection may or may not come together. The stitch-along certainly will, as we’re almost ready to share it with you and we have all the kit contents ready to assemble.
I’m hoping the themed collection comes together, though, and I’m working towards that goal.
More needlework tidbits coming up next week. See you then!
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