Do you have too many beads after all the Mardi Gras festivities? What should you do with your excessive stash? Is your mind racing to picture creative uses for the necklaces?
Between the countless parades, parties, and powwows, people tend to bring home piles of colorful necklaces during the holiday weekend. Instead of scrambling for craft ideas on Etsy, Pinterest, and other internet sites, we have compiled a handful of the most versatile yet abundant ones yet.
1. More Jewelry (Bracelets, Earrings, Waist Beads, etc.)
Since everyone loves to discover new styles and toggle with jewelry trends, what more fun would there be than experimenting with Mardi Gras beads? Design and flaunt unique home-modified adornments. Take to the streets (and the clubs) with your way of fashion.
2. Keychains
Very little is needed to make a beaded keychain. One of the simplest ways to construct them would be to take apart the long colorful necklaces given to parade-goers. With the help of some glue or string, it should not be much of a hassle to piece together a DIY keychain out of beads.
3. Ornaments
Ornaments are some of the most straightforward items to make and can add a nice touch to your front porch or living room. “Ornament” can mean anything from doorknob hangers, plastic orbs that splatter trees, and tiny trinkets that decorate banisters.
4. Curtains & Chandeliers
When the party gets out of hand, sometimes the curtains and chandeliers need to hold up better. But there is no need to worry. You can string together cheap replacements in a matter of hours. And you can characterize them to be easily installed and detached.
5. Mardi Gras Wreath
When family and friends visit, why not let a beautiful green, purple, and gold beaded wreath greet them? Using a couple of wired wreath frames, floral wire, a lovely bow, and strings of beads, you can fashion something similar to the one below.
6. Desk/Countertop Items
You never know what neat object you may come to love in your kitchen or office. It may be the bedazzled cup holder and colorful paperweight that your daughter made in art class; or the bead-infused coasters and custom mouse pads your son conjured at summer camp.
7. Bead Mosaics
Mosaics are arguably one of the most unique forms of art. The fact that they can be made using everyday objects such as throw beads is even better. All you need is imagination, glue, and loose (or not) Mardi Gras beads.
8. Mardi Gras Tree
Select from a multitude of patterns and build your own Mardi Gras centerpiece. You can choose to make it big or small. A foam or cardboard cone can serve as a reference, making it easy to glue beads around and obtain a sturdy shape.
9. Save them for next year
All in all, if you have tried your hand at crafts and do not think they are for you, there are still things you can do to reuse your throws. Tossing the beads at next year’s parade or putting them in the recycling bin is also a smart, environmentally friendly option.
Though everyone may not be crafty, there is always something that everyone can make or do. Maybe a full-blown wreath is too much, but a handful of keychains is right up your alley. Whatever the case, don’t waste your beads from Mardi Gras 2026.
The List:
- Other Jewelry (Bracelets, Earrings, Waist Beads)
- Key Chains
- Ornaments
- Curtains & Chandeliers
- Mardi Gras Wreath
- Desk/Countertop Items
- Bead Mosaics
- Mardi Gras Tree
