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This cute little buzzy bumblebee makes the perfect springtime craft! Make this cute little bumble bee keychain with a little bit of cord and pony beads. It is perfect for bug lovers and makes a great summer camp craft or school team mascot. Fun and easy to make, this key ring is great for your key ring, to share as gifts, or to make for fund raisers.
Share your photos with us. If we use them on our website you will get 25% off of your next order!
If you make this project please share your photos with us. If we use them on our website or on Facebook you will get 10% off of your next order over $25!
You will need one connector such as a 
Lanyard hook,
or any type of 
Key Ring.
Cord:
You will need about
2 1/2 yards of cord for your bumblebee.
There are lots of different types of cords you can use. We prefer a cord that is 1mm to 2mm thick because it helps your bumblebee keychain keep it's shape better. Alternatively, you could use a thinner cord and weave a little wire or a pipe cleaner into your keychain bumblebee to help it keep it's shape that way. Either way works just fine but you can experiment with it to see which method you prefer.
One good choice is
Monofilament Cord
or
2mm metallic cording. Other great choices would be jute or hemp cord, leather necklace cord, rattail cord, shoelaces, ribbon, paracord, or a strong jewelry cord like tigertail.
For ours, we used a 1.5mm nylon cord.
Hint: If your cord end frays easily try dipping it into hot, melted wax. This will help prevent fraying and also create a stiffer end for threading into your beads.
Beads needed:
30 - Black Pony Beads.
20 - Crystal Glitter Pony Beads (Crystal or White pony beads can be used).
Other Things Needed:
GlueOptional: For a stiffer bumblebee you can include a little wire or a pipe cleaner with your cord to help keep it's shape
Beading Wire
OR
Pipe Cleaners
2. Begin threading the beads onto the cord following the pattern below. You can click on the image at the bottom of the page for a larger, better resolution photo.
3. After finishing the pattern tie a double knot or surgeon's knot in the cords at the bottom and apply glue to secure.
(Optional, and probably not needed) 4. Weave your wire or pipe cleaner through one of the widest rows in the middle of your beaded bumblebee keychain to make it stiffer and hold it's shape.
(Seed beads or E beads can be used in place of pony beads to create smaller characters.)
The illustration below shows you how each cord side is threaded into the beads. 
16 - Yellow Pony Beads
