Make your own Beaded curtain

Decide upon a design.

• Try multi-colored beads or even small toy fish- or bird-shaped beads.
• Arrange strands of beads into a design.
• Intersperse colored straws into your design.

Take measurements. Measure the length and width of your window or doorway.

• Try a simple valance.
• Try a three-quarter length curtain in a doorway.
• Try an ascending curve along the lower edge of the curtain.

Cut the string. Add additional length to each string to tie knots at either end and to make a loop, at the top of each strand, to hang into an eye hook. String the beads.

• Tie a knot at one end of the strings. This will become the bottom of the curtain.
• Thread beads and straws (optional- thread the toy fishes/birds)over the strings.
• Tie a knot at the other end of the strings, leaving additional string to make a loop to hang into an eye hook. This will become the top of the curtain.

Assemble the curtain rod.

• Attach the curtain rod brackets to the top of your window or doorway.
• Attach equidistant eye hooks to the wooden curtain rod. Using a ruler, mark the rod with a pencil, for each hook.

Assemble the curtain.

• Place each loop, on the strand of beads, into an eye hook.
• Place the finished curtain rod into the brackets.

Method 2

Colored string and clear beaded curtain

1. Select colored string. The string color must be the one that you want to show through. If you're creating a duo or trio or a whole rainbow of colors, you'll need to align the string colors in the right order before adding beads.
   • Cut the string to the length of the curtain, plus extra for tying around the curtain rod. Cut as many lengths as needed for covering the whole intended hanging area of the curtain.
2. Tie the string lengths around the curtain rod. Use a firm knot, knotting twice for certainty. Alternatively, you could drill holes through the curtain rod and thread the string through and then tie the string lengths in place. This will be very firm.
   • When tying, if you do have a color order, be sure to keep it.
3. Thread the transparent beads onto each string length. Add as many beads per string as it takes to cover the string length.
4. Tie the ends of the string off firmly. Check that the knot is large enough to prevent the beads from sliding off.
5. Hang the curtain rod and beaded curtain in place. Make adjustments as needed to ensure that the curtain is hanging evenly. The light behind the curtain will highlight the colors of the strings through the beads.

Tips

• Special beads can be interspersed here and there for the Method 2 curtain if you like. Plan before making the curtain.
• Be sure your rod and brackets are strong and sturdy, as this can result in a heavy curtain.