Christmas Tree Beaded Safety Pin

    This Christmas tree beaded safety pin is a cute design that is perfect for the holidays!  Pin this to the outside of your coat and you will always be in the Christmas spirit!  Just follow the instructions below, but if you have never made a beaded safety pin before, I suggest you read my Tips and Techniques page before beginning (a new window will open).

1.  Begin your Christmas tree beaded safety pin by following the bead pattern shown on the right. (Note: if you would like to print out the pattern, click here and Adobe Reader will open up a new window for you).  Each column on the pattern represents one of the size 2 safety pins, with beads threaded on it. Begin with the color on the top of the pattern, and thread that bead on the safety pin first. You may find some beads have an opening that is too small for the pin, but most should fit. When you are finished loading the beads, close each pin. Continue with each pin, following the pattern. Below the pattern photo is a text version of the pattern in case you cannot see the photo.  The pattern shows a white background, but I chose to use red beads for the background.

   

    Pins are going left to right;  the bead order is the bottom bead first and moving up,     the same way you would thread it on to the pin.

Pin 1: 13 red
Pin 2: 13 red
Pin 3: 2 red, 1 green, 10 red
Pin 4: 2 red, 2 green, 2 red, 1 green, 6 red
Pin 5: 2 red, 6 green, 1 red, 1 green, 3 red
Pin 6: 2 brown or black, 9 green, 1 yellow or gold, 1 red
Pin 7: 2 red, 6 green, 1 red, 1 green, 3 red
Pin 8: 2 red, 2 green, 2 red, 1 green, 6 red
Pin 9: 2 red, 1 green, 10 red
Pin 10: 13 red
Pin 11: 13 red

2.  Take your large #3 safety pin, and open it. Using a flat head screwdriver, wedge the flat head in between the safety pin loop at the bottom of the pin. Once inserted, twist the screwdriver to pry the loop open a little, as shown. The goal is to be able to have enough room to allow each #2 safety pin to be threaded through this loop to the other side.

                   


3. Thread each #2 safety pin's loop onto the big safety pin. Thread it around the large pin's loop to get it onto the other side of the pin. This way, when you wear the pin, none of the pins will slide off.  You may need to experiment with the small safety pin orientation at first, but once you get the hang of it you will be putting on the safety pins in the right direction and order easily. When you are all done, use some pliers to scrunch down the big safety pin's loop tight again.



4.  You are now ready to wear your Christmas tree beaded safety pin!