Ribbon Candy Ornaments

I remember trying to eat ribbon candy at Christmastime when I was a kid. It was always a little too big for my mouth and didn’t really taste that great. But I ate it anyway, because it was one of those things that was only available this time of the year, which made it special.

As the years passed, I got over the need to actually eat the stuff, but I still think it’s pretty. When my kids were small, we found kits to make ribbon candy ornaments from actual ribbon, thread and beads. This is my take on those, using wire instead of thread. I’m sure they taste just like the original.

To make these you’ll need: Ten inches of 20 gauge craft wire, ten 8-millimeter beads (give or take a few millimeters), and two pieces of 1 1/2” wide and 17 1/2” long grosgrain ribbon. Grosgrain is the kind that isn’t shiny and has bumped-up rows on it.

Melt the ends of the ribbon carefully with a lighter so they won’t fray. Using a fine-tip pen, make small dots, starting 3/4” from one end, then every 2”.

Using needle-nose pliers, make a hook using 1” from one end of the wire. Thread on a bead. Lay the two pieces of ribbon together, making sure the ends and edges are even, with the dots on top. Stick the wire through both pieces at the first dot.

If you have trouble pushing the wire through, you can use a large needle to make a pilot hole. It also helps to cut the wire at an angle so it’s pointy.

Thread on another bead. Push the wire through the next dot.

Continue threading on beads and pushing the wire through the next dot as shown until you reach the last dot.

Add one last bead to the bottom. Push all the beads up to the top. Bend the wire 1” below the bottom bead.

Twist the remaining wire around a pencil to make a curl.

Push the beads back down and you’re done.

These are so easy and fun, I went a little crazy making them. This set is in my boy’s favorite color: camo, with a little Christmas thrown in.

These would be cute gift toppers too.

And you still have a little time to make them!

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22 thoughts on “Ribbon Candy Ornaments”

OH my goodness! Those are so cute :] They remind me of my grandpa, he used to love that candy!

These look fun to make! Adding to my (huge) To Do list. Thanks for sharing this!

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How cool and pretty. Excellent idea. Thanks for sharing it.

Thank you SO much for this crafty idea! I used to love going to Grampa Jacklett’s house during Christmas because he always had ribbon candy — what a lovely way to remember my Grampa! I lost my Grampa to cancer over 10 years ago — and sorely miss spending time with him! As you can tell, I am a grampa’s girl! Can’t wait to go home and make some!

These look super easy!! I can see gift boxes with a set of these in each persons favorite colors, Here comes the inspiration…Yes!! I just found next years crafty little gift for everyone!! Thanks so much!!

Thanks for all your sweet comments…sounds like ribbon candy was a favorite with some Grandpas!

This is so beautiful..!!!

I have no idea what ribbon candy is, but these are really pretty! thanks for sharing

So cute! i love it. thanks for sharing.

I featured this today on my Christmas in July Blog Celebration

http://passionateandcreativehomemaking.blogspot.com/2012/07/day-24-christmas-in-july.html

I have a featured button, on my blog, if you’d like

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Very cute. Great, inexpensive, quick, easy craft to make. My mom is always looking for cute ornament ideas for the church bazaar and this will be a great one for her. Thanks