Most people think of beaded ornaments as small tiny beads that drape over a ball ornament.  My grandmother made Christmas ornaments that used beads, thread, wire and safety pins to create the ornament.  They created an object and you could tell what it was by looking at it.  Some Christmas ornaments didn't have a definite shape, but they went together to form a beautiful ornament.  Each year we looked forward to the season when we could pick out one of her latest designs.  We were limited to one or two depending on how many she made of a particular design.  She would repeat designs, but did them in different colors,  It was very difficult to try and choose as they were all beautiful.

When she passed away, there was  no one to carry on the tradition.  Being crafty helps, but it was frustrating trying to learn how to make those ornaments...it took me forever to get the first bell ornament completed.  There was no one to teach me and I was about to give up after the first three tries, but then I decided that if she could do it at the age of 80, I could do it!  It took me four hours to complete that Christmas ornament. Now I can do one in 35 minutes.  Most of my other ornaments only take about 20 minutes or less to make. But they are something that can be given and will last forever. 

I have added many different designs to my Christmas ornaments collection, but have been unable to reproduce some of her more intricate designs.  Everyone still looks forward to each Christmas season to see what new ornaments I have found.  I try to find new patterns each year, but it is very difficult as not many people use beads to create an ornament.