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[ireneadler.livejournal.com]

I've enjoyed this community for a while, but this is my first post. I've noticed lots of questions about Christmas gifts. Here's my easy fall-back. These pretty cranes are easy to make, look fantastic, and make good all-around gifts.


Supplies: origami paper, beads, thin wire, needle

Two years ago, while in one of the Smithsonian gift shops, my mother noticed origami cranes with beading on the bottom, sold for $10. She said I could easily make some, so I did. They came out beautifully, and were quite easy. Here's how.

1. Make some origami cranes.

2. String your first bead onto your wire. Twist the wire around the bead so that it doesn't fall off, then twist the end of the wire around the main part of the wire. Contine adding beads to desired length, making sure the beads go over the twisted part of the wire. I usually have three inches of beads, but it depends on what size origami paper you used. Keep adding until you feel like stopping.

3. Thread the wire onto a needle. Put the needle through the hole in the bottom of the crane, then through the top of its body, so that it's sitting on top of the beads.

4. Remove needle. Make a loop in the wire. I do this by twisting the end of the wire around, being careful not to leave any pokey ends sticking out.

What can these be used for? Ornaments for the Christmas tree. Hang them in your bedroom. Make a bunch with different lengths of wire, hang them over your bed, and make a mobile. Hang one on the rear-view mirror of your car.

This is one of the easiest crafts I've done. I hope my instructions make sense. I'm sorry to have no pictures, but I don't have a digital camera. If I get access to one, I'll post pictures of the finished products. Happy crafting!