DIY Beaded Wine Glass Charms

As I force my disassemble artificial Christmas tree into it's cardboard home and hang my "oh-I'll-get-tons-of-use-out-of-this" sparkly cropped new years tank into the way way back of my closet, my heart sinks as I realize the best time of the year for parties and entertaining has come to an end. That's right people, it's January. Does it seem like everyone goes into hibernation during the first month of the year from the dessert-overloaded month that is December, or is it just me?

Well before you get back into the swing of hosting get-togethers with your family and friends, you can use this downtime to work on some craft projects that will come in use in the busier months. This project is also an excuse to pour yourself a glass of wine and pull out that giant box of gorgeous beads you just "had to have" during your jewelry making phase. And don't worry if this is more parts "wine-drinking" and less parts "crafting". It's a super easy DIY, I promise!

WINE CHARMS. The best way to add some glitz to your wine & cheese party while also being a super functional piece! You can hand out these wine charms at the begining of your party when you're pouring drinks so that your guests can remember which glass belongs to whom. Let's get started.

Supplies: assorted beads, gold jewelry wire (20-24 gauge), and round-nose pliers

Step 1:  Cut a small piece of wire with your pliers, about 3 inches long. Using the round nose of the pliers, bend the wire to create a rounded end.

Step 2: Now you can start adding your beads. I did a mix of different patterns of each type of bead. Just make sure each one looks different enough from the others so your guests can remember which is their glass!

Step 3: Once you have added enough beads so that the beaded wire wraps around the stem of your wine glass, measure a half inch and cut the remaining wire.

Step 4: Now you just need to bend the end of the wire back down to your last bead to create a second rounded end. Wrap the beaded wire around your wine glass stem to give it the rounded shape and push the two ends as close to eachother as possible. 

And ta da! I told you it was easy! The flexible wire makes it easy to pull the charm open and around the stem of your glass to use over and over again.

These beaded wine charms will be a perfect touch to your next cocktail party and can be customized with different beads to match the theme of your event! 

And if you're looking for a useful gift for a hostess present or maybe a housewarming gift, a set of these wine charms is a perfect inexpensive and completely personal idea! 

What is on your January crafting to-do list?

Cheers! - Rachael