DIY | Mistletoe

Mistletoe made of Seed Beads

Get ready for the new Christmas season with a creative project that spreads warmth and cheer! In this blog post, I'll show you how you can easily make the most beautiful mistletoe out of seed beads and metal wire. With just a few materials and a little patience, you'll create wonderful homemade Christmas decoration that you can use year after year.

The technique is simple and can be varied to craft small beaded flowers, miniature trees and even decorations with semi-precious stones or crystals. Let your imagination run wild and use your leftover beads in a fun and creative way - perfect for a quiet winter evening with a cup of hot chocolate by your side.

Check out Smyks' other Christmas-themed blog posts:
DIY 3D Peyote Stars
DIY Christmas Crystals
DIY Stars with Delica Beads
DIY Christmas Decoration Copper and Gold
DIY Christmas Decoration with Beads and Flowers
DIY Christmas Decoration with Wooden Beads

For this mistletoe, we used the following DIY components:

2 units of Glass seed beads, size #11, dark green (up to 18 leafs)
Miyuki seed beads, size #11 brown picasso
Gilded copper wire, 0.4mm
Moonstone, 6mm , matte ... alternatively, jade, 6mm. white
Red bow ribbon

+ flat-nose pliers
+ chain-nose pliers
+ cutting pliers

Start by stringing beads on the wire ... a number of beads that corresponds to approx. 30cm. 

Do not cut the wire.

Push about 20 beads forward on the wire. They are going to be the 1st row of the leaf.

Bend in the end of the wire to prevent the beads from falling off.

Bend an approx.15cm long piece of wire behind the 20 beads.

Twist the wires around each other just below the beads. The approx. 1cm long piece of twisted wires is the bottom of the leaf. Thread new beads on the wire (see picture).

Place the wire on the left over the wire on the right ... 

... and wind it around ... so it ends up on the right-hand side of the 1st row of beads. The 2nd row of beads is done. 

Turn the leaf upside down... thread beads on the wire ... and wind the wire around the other twisted wires. 

Turn the leaf ... thread beads ... 

... wind the wire ...

Continue in the same way until you have 7 rows of beads. 

Finish by winding the wire a few times around the bottom of the leaf. Cut the wire. 

Cut some of the wire at the top of the leaf and bend the remaining wire over to the back of the leaf. 

Twist the rest of the length around the stem and form the leaf into the desired shape. For this mistletoe, we made a total of 11 leaves.  

Cut approx. 15cm wire to size ... and thread 1 moonstone bead (6mm) + 1 seed bead.

Skip the seed bead an pull the wire back through the moonstone.

Tighten the wire.

Make a winding right underneath the bead.

Thread another moonstone bead + a seed bead ... and pull the wire back through the moonstone bead. 

Place the 2 beads close to each other.

Wind the rest of the length around the "stem".

Make in the same way in total:

2 stems with a single berry

3 stems with 2 berries

2 stems with 3 berries

Assemble 2 leaves and a double berry stem ...

... and twist the wires around each other.

Add a leaf further down on the stem ... 

... and a single berry a bit underneath the single leaf. 

Here you see 2 leaves combined with a cluster of 3 berries.

Here you see a single leaf combined with a single berry.

Add 2 leaves ... and e stem with 2 berries.

This twig consists of 3 leaves, a stem with 2 berries and a stalk with 3 berries.

Now you have assembled 4 twigs with different numbers of leaves and berries. 

Finally, you twist all the strands together to create the look you want. 

Finally, you can decorate your mistletoe with a nice bow of red ribbon. 

A Little About the Mistletoe – the Magical Plant Behind the Christmas Tradition 🌟

The mistletoe is a fascinating plant that has been surrounded by mystery and symbolism for centuries – especially during the Christmas season. Unlike ordinary plants, it does not grow in the soil but lives as a semi-parasite high up in the treetops. It attaches itself to the branches of its host tree, where its roots penetrate the bark to absorb water and nutrients. At the same time, it performs photosynthesis, staying fresh and green throughout winter – a rare sight in the otherwise bare winter landscape. This ability to remain vibrant in the cold has made the mistletoe a symbol of vitality, fertility and hope.

From Sacred Plant to Christmas Tradition

The history of the mistletoe dates back to Celtic and Norse mythology. To the Celts, it was sacred because it grew between heaven and earth – without roots in the soil. Druids used it in rituals as a symbol of peace and protection. In Norse mythology, it plays a central role in the story of Balder, the god of light and love, who was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe. After his death, however, the plant once again became associated with love and reconciliation – a theme that later found its way into Christmas traditions.

In medieval Europe, the mistletoe was seen as a symbol of luck and fertility. People hung it above doorways to protect their homes from evil spirits and to bring good fortune in love. As Christianity spread, many ancient pagan symbols blended into Christmas customs – and the mistletoe secured its place in the romantic traditions we know today.

Kissing Under the Mistletoe

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is believed to have originated in 18th-century England, where the plant was used as festive decoration. According to the custom, a man could kiss any woman standing beneath a hanging mistletoe. For each kiss he had to pick one berry, and when all the berries were gone, the kissing ended. This little ritual quickly became a symbol of love, hope and new beginnings – perfect for the warm and joyful spirit of Christmas.

The Mistletoe Today

Today, the mistletoe is still used worldwide as Christmas decoration and as a romantic symbol. Many people hang it above doorframes as a sign of love and togetherness during the festive season. At the same time, the tradition continues to carry ancient stories about nature’s magic and the belief that something green and alive in the middle of winter can bring hope and light.

Symbolism at a Glance

The mistletoe represents:

• Love and reconciliation

• Life and fertility

• Peace and protection

• Hope in the darkness of winter 💚

Whether you view it as a romantic symbol or a beautiful piece of Christmas decoration, the mistletoe holds a special place in the story of Christmas. It reminds us that even in cold and darkness, green life, warmth and love can still be found.