How to make bauble clusters for Christmas

I’m always on the look out for new baubles for the Christmas tree, especially now I’m trying to move towards all metallic colours. Peacock and jade doesn’t work with lights on because they blend into the tree. And I’m unable to find mint green baubles anywhere.  So metallic it is, until I can find more of that colour to gradually bring in. I try and treat myself to one or two new baubles a year. But this time I’d seen lots of bauble clusters on tree displays.  I didn’t want to pay those prices, so decided I’d try and make some myself.

If you’ve not got any mini baubles, you’ll find lots of them around in store and online.  And in lots of different colours.  Try cheap shops like B&M or Home Bargains. Quite often you’ll be able to buy tubes or packs of several.

I wanted bronze or gold, and struggled to find any in shops I went to, so shopped online. Amazon had plenty on offer, and buying a couple of packs meant I’d be able to get lots of decorations made for not much more than the price of 2 if buying the individual bauble clusters decorations.

They’re really simple to make with very little equipment needed.  Wire cutters help, and if you’ve got flat nose crafting pliers then they’ll be useful. Alternatively, you can just use a knife or your nails to flatten down the ends of the wire.

What you’ll need:

• Mini baubles – selection in odd numbers. Either 5 or 7 depending on the size of the end item you want for each decoration
• Crafting or garden wire – thin, colour of choice (I decided on green so it would blend in with the tree better
• Flat nose pliers (craft size rather than massive ones)
• Wire cutters

How to make bauble cluster Christmas decorations

To make these cluster baubles, there’s a couple of methods you can use.

1. Thread each bauble one at a time onto a good length of wire, after each bauble twist the wires over the top of the bauble hoop to prevent the bauble shifting. Then repeat for each bauble, 

Or

2. Thread all the baubles onto the wire at once, then leaving them fairly loose, twist the wire inbetween each one to make them separated. Adjust each bauble into position.

First of all I was doing each bauble separately and making nice wire loops at the top of each one. But after doing one I found it was faster to simply twist the 2 wires across the top of each one as I added them.  But you can find what method works best for you.

Once you have all 5 or 7 baubles added and secured, bring the longer end of the wire into a hoop shape, then twist the end around towards the baubles to secure it.  Cut off excess wire ends, then tuck in neatly with the flat nose pliers.

However you add them or twist the wires, you do want the baubles to sit nicely when hanging on your tree. So as you’re twisting, try and put the baubles into a position that works.  I tried to angle them so they’ll sit forward with a ‘flatter’ back. But because they’ve got flexible wire, if you’ve left them a little loose in the twists, you’ll have space to manipulate them when decorating the tree.

How to use your bauble clusters

As well as putting them on your Christmas tree, you could add them to garlands, table pieces, or even add a little bow to the bottom of the hoop with ribbon, and making bauble ‘bunting’ to hang up.

I mention using 5 or 7 baubles because odd numbers always look better. But you could increase the number depending on the size of your tree branches, or where you’re hanging them.

Personally I’m a big fan of single colours, although I did have a mix of textures in my bauble packs. But you could use hues of the same colour, or mix them up totally. Whatever works with your tree colours and tastes.

These really are easy to make, but if you’re not a craft fan, then you can look out for similar at the below shops:

• Amazon
• We R Christmas
• Dobbies Garden Centres or other local garden centres

Let me know how you get on making yours.

Check out my other Christmas crafts below:

• DIY Rag wreath
• Wreath making tips
• Scandinavian star decorations
• Papercraft Christmas decorations