Beaded Christmas Spider
When I was a kid I remember there being a rush every year for the person to find the Christmas Spider first and hang it on the tree. Ours was a glass ball spider and it was red, I don't know where it is now but I will always have the memory of it and now my kids can rush next year to see who comes up with the spider first and hangs it on the tree.
Here is the story behind the Christmas spider the German Legend...
The spiders wanted to see the Christmas tree and all of the presents but The lady of the house was cleaning all day to prepare for Christmas and all the spiders were moved from there place on the ceiling. That night while everyone was asleep they climbed on the tree leaving their webs behind them. They saw what they had done and feared they would be killed so they begged for mercy and suddenly an Angel appeared. The Angel said, "I will save you, but I will need some help. One of you must stay to save the rest." So one spider stayed behind and when the Angel touched the spider it turned to glass and the webs all turned to shiny silver. Today we hang tinsel on our Christmas trees to remind us how one can save many and it is now a custom to hang a spider along with your ornaments on the Christmas tree.
To make your spider you will need..
2 large beads
Seed Beads
Wire
Jewelry Pliers
Thread on one seed bead and make a loop in the wire
Next you put on one large bead
Cut 4 lengths of wire long enough to wrap around the center wire for the legs
Wrap the wire tightly around the center wire
Place on the other large bead
Thread on one seed bead
Make a loop
(now you have the body of the spider)
Thread on 15 seed beads on one of the 8 wires
Make a loop
Continue this 'til all of the legs are beaded
Make a hanger out of cord
Use a Sharpie marker to make the eyes
4 comments:
Sara, That's very interesting. My mother is German & she never told us about that tradition. Wonder if it's a southern one (my mom's from the north & for some reason that seems to make a 'big' difference...) ~ btw, before reading I was kinda like umm ~cute, but....
I'd never heard this one before. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I love the spider!
Sara,
This is cute. I laughed out loud when I first saw it. What a great story too. I didn't know that story and I am 1/2 German.
OMG! How stinkin' cute is that spider?! I love it!!! LOL!!! Awesome! Hugs! Ash~
www.ashleyscreativecorner.com
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