This pony bead ladybug is such a fun and colourful craft that’s perfect for kids and beginners to beading! With bright colours and a simple pattern, you can create an adorable little ladybug that looks great as a DIY keychain, backpack charm, or cute handmade gift.
This easy pony bead craft comes together quickly and is a great way to practice basic beading skills while making something you’ll actually use. Whether you stick with classic red and black or try different colour combinations, these beaded ladybugs are a fun, creative project that’s perfect for spring crafting or anytime.
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How to Make a Pony Bead Ladybug
Materials:
- Black rattail cord
- Split ring keyring
- Pony beads (black and red)
Equipment:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Prepare your cord
- Cut a 28 inch piece of rattail cord. We’re using black to match the black beads, but whatever you have will work.
- Fold the cord in half.
- Attach the loop end of the cord to the jump ring on the keychain hardware using a lark’s head knot.To do this, slide the loop up through the jump ring and bring it over the keychain. Then pull down on the cords to tighten the knot.
- Tape the keychain piece to your working surface. This makes it a lot easier to make knots and work with the beads.
Step 3: Add the first beads
- To make your pony bead ladybug you’ll be working with the ends of the cords, first attaching beads to one strand, and then the other.For Row 1, begin by adding 2 black pony beads to the left cord. (You can also do the right cord if it’s more comfortable to you.)
- Now take the end of the right cord and push it through the right side of the beads, so they’re attached to both cord ends.
- Pull the cord ends so that the beads end up right against the knot.
- For the next row (Row 2), add 3 black beads to the left cord. Again, bring the right cord through the beads.
- Pull the cord ends again, so this row of beads is snug against the first. You want the cords to be tight enough that they don’t sag, but not too tight that the beads end up buckling.
Step 4: Continue adding beads
- Add Row 3 of the ladybug following the same steps and adding beads in the following order: 2 red, 1 black, 2 red.
- To make Row 4, add the following beads: red, black, red, black, red, black, red.
- Row 5: 3 red, 1 black, 3 red.
- Row 6: red, black, red, black, red, black, red.
- Row 7: 2 red, 1 black, 2 red.
- Row 8: red, black, red.
Step 5: Finish off the ladybug keychain
- Adjust the cords as needed, tightening the rows by pulling on the side cords, starting at the top.Then make knots on either side of the last row to keep the beads in place.
- Cut both cords close to the knots.
- Then hold a lit BBQ lighter next to the cord end for a couple seconds. This will melt the end of the cord and stop it from unraveling.
- Your pony bead ladybug is complete!
- Have fun making ladybugs in all different colours!
Helpful Tips:
- Ladybugs don’t have to be red! Have fun making a whole rainbow assortment of ladybugs pairing black with your favourite colours.
- You can only burn the end of the cords if you’re using rattail, paracord, or another synthetic fiber. DO NOT burn the ends of cotton string, as it will catch fire instead of melting.
What’s the pattern for this pony bead ladybug?
If you already know how to make pony bead keychains here’s a simple pattern to follow, with “b” meaning black and “r” standing for red:
- Row 1: 2b
- Row 2: 3b
- Row 3: 2r b 2r
- Row 4: r b r b r b r
- Row 5: 3r b 3r
- Row 6: r b r b r b r
- Row 7: 2r b 2r
- Row 8: r b r
What cord is best for making a pony bead ladybug?
We used 1mm black rattail cord for these keychains. The black cord blends well with the beads and the rattail cord is both sturdy and smooth. It holds up well and slides nicely through the beads.
You can also use micro paracord or waxed jewelry cord. You can even use cotton twine or embroidery thread if that’s all you have, though the beads won’t slide on as smoothly, and this type of string isn’t as strong.
What are pony beads?
Pony beads are small, barrel-shaped plastic beads with a large hole (around 4 mm), making them easy to thread onto string, yarn, or cord. Because of their size and shape, they’re especially popular for kids crafts and beginner beading projects.
Pony beads are great for making bracelets, necklaces, keychains, and charms, like this pony bead ladybug. You can also use them for hair accessories, shoelace decorations, zipper pulls, and backpack charms. They’re also fun for creating beaded animals and lanyards, making them a versatile craft supply for all kinds of creative projects.
This pony bead ladybug is a fun and simple craft that’s perfect for kids, beginners, and anyone who loves easy DIY projects. With just a few supplies and a simple pattern, you can create one of these cute little ladybugs. And once you’ve made one, it’s easy to try different colours and patterns to create your own unique designs! So make one of these cute pony bead bugs to get creative, practice your beading skills, and make something fun you can use or share!
Here’s even more pony bead craft ideas:
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Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
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