TIME TO CELEBRATE

Get crafty with some everyday finds to create chic DIY table decor for any celebration. Best of all, they can double up as gifts too!

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HOW TO MAKE BEADED NAPKINS
These double up as bracelets, necklaces or key rings for gifting.

You will need:

• wooden beads (any shape/size)
• elastic or packaging string
• scissors
• tassels (see below)

Step-by-step:

1. Thread beads onto a piece of string or elastic.
2. Bring the ends together to create a round loop, tie securely and snip off the ends of the string.
3. Thread a few beads onto the top of each tassel and tie it onto the napkin ring.

HOW TO MAKE TASSELS
These fun little fringes add flair and colour to your table.

You will need:

• stiff cardboard
• scissors
• cotton knitting yarn in your colour of choice
• large darning needle for threading (optional)

Step-by-step:

1. Cut the cardboard into a rectangle (the long side should be the length you want your tassel to be).
2. Wrap yarn around the card (lengthwise) until it's plump.
3. Thread a piece of yarn through the top to secure the wrapped yarn (using a needle makes this easier) and tie tightly on one side.
4. Slip the loop of tied, wrapped yarn off the card.
5. Tie another piece of yarn around the top to create the `head' of the tassel.
6. Carefully snip the bottom of the yarn loop open to create the fringing.

HOW TO MAKE A WIRE WREATH
This wreath is perfect for your front door, but it also makes a pretty wall hanging.

You will need:

• 3 lengths of strong, stiff wire
• softer wire, for binding
• gold spraypaint
• selection of wooden beads
• selection of tassels (see page 53)
• flowers of your choice
• packaging string

Step-by-step:

1. Bring the ends of the stiff wire together to create 3 hoops. Secure them with softer wire. 
2. Spray the hoops gold and allow to dry.
3. Undo the binding wire and thread the hoops with beads and tassels (any way you think looks pretty).
4. Bind the hoops closed again with softer wire.
5. Fix the 3 hoops together using a few more bits of softer wire.
6. Add some flowers to one side of the wreath using wire (or a hot-glue gun).
7. Tie a piece of string to the top of the wreath so that you have something to hang it by.

HOW TO MAKE TERRACOTTA CANDLES
Write a name on each pot and you have perfect placeholders for your table - and gifts for your guests to take home.

You will need:

• 6 small terracotta pots (1/3 cup capacity)
• masking tape
• 8 long plain white candles (or old candle stubs)
• old saucepan or large can (for melting wax)
• wax crayon in any colour
• packaging string, cut into lengths for 6 wicks
• 6 wooden pegs
• paint pen (or paint and paintbrush) for decorating

Step-by-step:

1. Use masking tape to block the holes on the bottom of each pot so the wax doesn't leak out.
2. Break candles in half and place in saucepan or can with wax crayon and string wicks.
3. Melt the wax over low heat, then fish out the wicks, straighten them and place them on a paper towel to set and stiffen.
4. Pierce a small hole through the masking tape and hole of each terracotta pot. Thread wick through the hole from the bottom up.
5. Clip wick in place with a peg laid over the pot's rim (this will keep wick centred as the wax sets).
6. Carefully pour the wax into the pots about 2/3 of the way up and leave to set.
7. Top the pots up with more wax and set again.
8. Trim the wicks a little shorter, if necessary, and decorate the pots.

HOW TO MAKE GEOMETRIC HANGING ORNAMENTS
These can be made mini too - use paper earbuds with the ends snipped off. Just the right size for your Triendsmas' tree!

You will need:

• stiff paper straws (6 per ornament, cut in half)
• soft wire, for threading
• gold spraypaint
• beads and tassels
• packaging string

Step-by-step:

1. Thread four of the straw halves onto a long piece of wire.
2. On a flat surface, form into a square shape and secure the wire ends.
3. Thread another long piece of wire through one of the sides of the square, and thread a straw half on each end to create a triangle (tying the ends again).
4. Repeat on the opposite side and fix the tops of the two triangles together to form a pyramid.
5. Repeat the process to create the bottom of the geometric shape as well. For a diamond shape (shown above), use longer straws on this side.
6. Spray the ornament gold and leave to dry.
7. Thread some beads on a string and tie to the bottom of the ornament, along with a tassel. 8. Tie some string on the top (threaded with beads, if you like) for hanging it up, and tie tightly on one side.

TEXT BY PAULA RABELING
PHOTOGRAPHY: UNSPLASH