A Star Appreciation Gift Idea For Someone Special
Do you know someone who’s gone that extra mile in their job? A co-worker or teacher perhaps. Or maybe a nurse who’s been on her feet all day and still has a huge smile on her face? Someone who deserves more than a “thank you” for their commitment and all round amazingness. This easy to make bead star is a lovely appreciation gift idea that shows just how much you value their dedication and specialness.
And you can add a thank you tag and note to tell them just how grateful you are.
Not only is it a great gift, but it would also look lovely hanging from a door or even on a gallery wall and the recipient will always have a reminder that they are a superstar.
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. William Arthur Ward
What you need for the star appreciation gift
- 50 Large wooden beads
- 10 Small wooden beads
- Jewelry wire
- Wire cutters
- Thank you tag
For this bead star, you’ll need jewelry wire that’s strong enough to hold the shape of a star and thin enough to fit through the holes in the beads. Wire strength and thickness is measured in gauges. When I first started making wire art, the gauge was always so confusing. Why on earth would the gauge increase when the wire gets thinner? It sounds a little backward, but there’s a simple explanation. The thickness, or gauge, is measured in fractions of an inch. So 12 gauge wire is actually 1/12″ thick 😉 Somewhere along the line, the ‘1/’ bit got dropped. I used a 12 gauge jewelry wire to make the star.
Before I get to the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
The Easy Way to Make a Bead Star
If you can string a few beads together then you’ll love making these. The trick lies in using a combination of small and large beads so the finished bead star looks balanced. Start with five large beads and thread them onto the jewelry wire, followed by one small bead. This forms one side of a point of the star.
If you want the star to be smaller, or bigger, use less, or more, of the larger beads.
Continue adding the beads until you have nine “groups” of five large beads and one small bead. Finish off by adding five more large beads.
Bend the wire string of beads at the point where there’s a small bead to form a “V” shape.
Repeat until you have a long zig-zag shape as shown below.
Bring the wire together and join ………………
…… and ta-da, a star appreciation gift is born (pun intended 😉 ) Easy, peasy. By using a small bead in between the large beads it helps make a sharper point. And since the beads are all pretty much the same size it all balances out.
Add a pretty thank you tag or note. I made this one by cutting a piece of balsa wood and mod podged the word “thank you” on. Hang the tag with a piece of string and add an extra bead for love 😉
You’re welcome to download the free printable that includes 3 different tags – “Thank You”; “You’re a Star” and “Super Star”. I’ll be making a few more of these to give to some special people in our lives. How I wish I could make one for you too. As a blogger, I’m so incredibly grateful to everyone who pops round for a visit.
♥ So “THANK YOU” for being here. I appreciate it more than you know ♥
If you like the idea of making a beaded star as an appreciation gift don’t forget to pin it for later.
Pssst, be sure to make an extra star, without the beads, so you can turn it into this Scandi inspired wreath.
How do you tell someone “I really appreciate you“?
Oh and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more amazing craft ideas to share with you 😉
And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY
Until next time, hope you have an amazing, crafty week. Sending love as always.
Awesome diy but wondering exactly what size beads you used for the large and small! And the it was 12 gauge jewelry wire correct that you used?
Thank you for clarifying!
So happy you like the star, May. The large beads are about 1.5 cm (0.6″) and the small beads are 0.7 cm (0.3″). I’m assuming not all wooden beads are the same size, so your best bet would be to use a small bead that’s about 1/2 the size of the larger beads. Hope that helps.
Yes it does help and thank you.
You’re welcome. Have fun making your beaded stars
I’m sure I will. But wondering if the bead size you used would be the diameter of the bead or the hole?
Sorry to bother you again with more questions.
❤ You’re not bugging me at all Mary. It always makes my day when someone asks a question or comments on one of our tutorials. The bead sizes are the diameter of the beads. Wrt to the hole, as long as it’s big enough to fit your wire through it will be perfect.
I love stars, I could use them everywhere and yours is so lovely. I have an old rosary with big beads waiting to be repurposed and I have noticed it has slightly smaller beads, I will give it a try. Thanks about the gauge, it didn’t make sense until you explained, it also happens with the nails for my electric gun.
The gauge confused me too in the beginning. It sounded all backward so I’m glad I could help Pili
What a cute gift idea to show someone they’re appreciated. The stenciled Thank you tag is a nice touch.
Thank you Linda ❣ I would love to send one of them your way too. Hope you’re feeling better
Such a pretty gift idea. I’m sure whomever you give them too will appreciate it and the thought behind the star.
Thank you very much Suzzane. I always find homemade gifts a little more special somehow. Just the idea that someone spent their valuable time to make something is already a gift to me
Michelle this is such an easy and pretty craft. I would love to try this for the Christmas tree as ornaments. Already thinking about Christmas in this heat! Haha!!
LOL Mary and it’s flippin freezing here in S Africa right now. We’re walking around with so many layers of clothes we can hardly move ?
Michelle,
This is just darling and something that anyone would be thrilled to receive!!
Thanks so much for all your visits! I am sorry that it took me so long to respond…Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. My nephew had some complications after the surgery and has now been in the hospital for 2 weeks. Please keep him and his family in your prayers…they are in desparate need of them..
Hugs,
Deb
Oh Debbie, I actually thought of you when I made the star. You’re one of those nurses who I imagine always went the extra mile for your patients. I’m so very sorry that your nephew is not doing well ? I’ll keep you all in my thoughts, and prayers and always close to my heart. Cancer SUCKS
What a wonderful way to say thank you! I would love to get one from someone. So very crafty and creative!
Thank you Carolann ?
Very cute idea for gift giving, Michelle! The wood tag with bead is a wonderful touch too. Pinned 🙂
I wish I could teleport one of them up there to you Marie ? Thank you so much for all your support my friend
What a lovely idea for someone special!
Thank you Gail ?