Beaded Olympic Suncatcher
Celebrate the excitement of the games with a colorful Beaded Olympic Suncatcher. This cheerful bead craft is a fun way for kids to combine sports, color patterns, and simple beading skills. Hang the finished suncatcher in a sunny window and watch the light shine through the clear beads.
This is a great craft for kids who enjoy pony bead projects, classroom activities, summer camp crafts, or Olympic themed celebrations.
Supplies
- 208 clear or crystal pony beads
- 17 red pony beads
- 17 blue pony beads
- 16 black pony beads
- 16 green pony beads
- 16 yellow pony beads
- Clear plastic lacing or Rexlace, 5 1/4 yards total, Cut into: 1 piece, 18 inches long. 19 pieces, 9 inches long.
- Clear straws
- Suction cups with hooks
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks, optional
Instructions
- Click on the printable pattern and use it as your guide for each row of beads.
- Cut the plastic lacing into the required lengths.
- Fold one piece of lace in half, keeping the ends even.
- Starting at the top of Row 1 on the pattern, string the beads onto both lace ends. Work from the top of the row down.
- Slide the beads down toward the fold, leaving about a 1/4 inch loop of lace showing at the top.
- Tie a square knot in the lace ends against the bottom bead. Pull tightly so the knot is as small as possible.
- Hold the top loop and carefully pull the knot up into the last bead.
- Trim the ends close to the knot. Add a small drop of hot glue if desired.
- Stretch the loop at the top of the beaded row and slide it onto the straw.
- Repeat these steps for each row of beads.
- For a large project, reinforce the straw by cutting a second straw lengthwise and inserting it into the first straw.
- Cut the longer piece of lace for the hanger and thread it through the straw.
- Bring the lace ends together and tie an overhand knot.
- Trim the ends and pull the knot into the straw to hide it.
- Attach the suncatcher to a suction cup hook and hang it in a sunny window.
Fun Facts
The five Olympic rings are one of the most recognized sports symbols in the world.
The rings are traditionally shown in blue, yellow, black, green, and red.
This beaded suncatcher is a fun way to talk with kids about sportsmanship, teamwork, and athletes from around the world.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
Use this Beaded Olympic Suncatcher as part of a classroom unit about world cultures, geography, or international sports.
Kids can choose a favorite Olympic sport and write a few sentences about why they like it. Older students can research a country that participates in the Olympics and locate it on a map.
For a math connection, have students count the beads by color, compare totals, or create their own repeating bead patterns. This also makes a colorful classroom window display during Olympic themed lessons.
Supplies
PONY BEADS:
156 Clear/Crystal
15 Red
15 Blue
14 Jet or OP Black
14 Green
14 Yellow
Clear Plastic Lacing/Rexlace 5 1/4 yards: Cut one 18 inch and nineteen 9 inch pieces
Clear Straws
Suction Cups with hooks
Scissors
Ruler
Hot Glue Gun (optional)
Instructions
Click on Printables and then on the Thumbnail picture for a large view of the bead pattern.
Cut the required length of plastic lace.
Fold lace in half with ends even.
Starting at the top of Row 1 on the pattern, string the beads onto the lace ends. Work from the top of the row down.
Slide the beads down to the fold leaving a 1/4 inch loop of lace showing.
Tie a square knot in lace ends against the bottom bead and pull the lace ends tightly to make the knot as small as possible.
Grasp the loop at the other end and carefully pull the knot up into the last bead.
Trim the ends close to the knot and if desired add a drop of hot glue.
Stretch the loop and slide it onto the straw.
Repeat these steps for each row of beads.
Reinforce the straw by cutting a second straw down its length and insert it into the first straw. This is recommended for large projects.
Cut the required length of lace for the hanger and thread it through the straw.
Bring the lace ends together and tie an overhand knot pulling the ends tightly.
Trim the ends and pull the knot into the straw to hide it.
This craft reprintec courtesy of Evelyn's Beadie Page.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window
Contributor
Evelyn McDermond became involved in making beadies and was inspired by her children into designing her own patterns. There are now over 200 patterns on her page for all to enjoy.
