We love Mardi Gras. One of our favorite travel memories was a long and super rainy Sunday in New Orleans when I took the boys to a stretch of three parades over the course of the day. It was incredible! We started with umbrellas, moved onto ponchos and eventually just gave up and had a blast in the rain! We caught so many Mardi Gras beads, but had no idea what to do with them when we got them home. I started looking for Mardi Gras decorations I could make myself, and came up with these two great crafts that now decorate our house this time of year!

Mardi Gras Bead Coasters


These coasters are easy to make, and are a fun craft for kids. Not only do they use up some of those Mardi Gras Necklaces, but they are also practical and useful around the house!

Materials:


Plain ceramic tiles
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Mardi Gras beads

Instructions:

1. Cut the Mardi Gras necklaces into two equal strips with the scissors.


2. Starting from the outside of the ceramic tile, place a line of hot glue along the outer edge.
3. Place a string of the beads firmly onto the hot glue quickly before it dries. Let sit for a second until the glue hardens.


4. Continue going around the outer edge of the ceramic tile with the hot glue and beads, working your way to the inside in rows. You can choose to make different designs or patterns if you wish, but this way seemed to be the easiest and quickest way to go.


5. Once you finish in the middle of the tile, cut off any excess beads that remain. Let it sit for a day before using it as a coaster.


Mardi Gras Decorative Bead Balls


These are great as decorations in bowls or other containers throughout the home. You could even string a bunch of them together to form a garland or wreath if you wished.

Materials:


Mardi Gras beads
Hot glue gun
Styrofoam craft balls

Instructions:

1. Cut the Mardi Gras Necklaces into strips using your scissors.

2. Start from the top of one end of the styrofoam ball. Place a circle of hot glue about the size of a dime, and wind one end of a string of beads around to form a circular shape.


3. Continue to work your way down and around the styrofoam ball with hot glue and beads, being sure not to leave any gaps. If you wish, you could paint the ball a different color before beginning so that no white shows through when it is finished, but this is not necessary.


4. When you get to the opposite end of the styrofoam ball, be sure to clip off any remaining beads with scissors.


Do you have Mardi Gras decorations that you like to create with Mardi Gras beads or other throws? Share your ideas in the comment section below. Like this post? Be sure to share it with your friends or pin it for later using the social share buttons at the bottom of the post!