Pony Bead Lizard

With screen time at an all-time high, we needed a fun and simple craft project that the whole family could do. These cute beaded lizards can be used as keychains, backpack charms, wall decorations, or toys. You can create your own lizard army! This project is recommended for children over five as these beads are a choking hazard.

• Scissors
• String/Yarn
• Pony beads
• 27 beads for the body
• 9 beads for the feet
• 2 bead for the eyes

• First, we need to pick out the bead colors for our lizard. We will need 27 beads for the body, 9 for the feet, and 2 for the eyes. For the lizard I created, I chose 27 green beads for the body, nine purple sparkle beads for the feet, and two blue sparkle beads for the eyes. Choose any color combination you like. This is my favorite part!
• Next, we need to choose the string color and cut it to a length of 24 inches.
• Fold the sting in half and make a loop at the top by tieing a small knot.

• Start by placing the string loop side up on a clean flat surface (I like to use a towel to prevent the beads from rolling off the table).
• Place one of the body color beads on the left string. For my lizard, I used a green bead.
• Now, take the string on the right and thread it through the left side of the bead. Tighten the string and push the bead to the top. You want the bead to be sitting right under the knot.
• Next, place two body color beads on the left string, then take the right string and thread it through the left-hand side of both beads.
• Tighten the strings and make sure they sit under the top bead.
• Now we will give our lizard friend some eyes!
• Take one eye color bead, one body color bead, and the other eye color bead and place these on the left side string. The beads need to be placed in that exact order otherwise you will have a wonkey lizard.
• Tighten the strings and make sure they sit under the previous layer.

• Now that we have our lizard's head in place, let's give him some feet.
• Place two body beads and three foot beads on the left-hand string. Place the beads in that exact order.
• Next, use the same left-hand string the beads are on and thread the string through the left side of the two body beads. (NOTE: do not thread the string through the foot beads as this will make a long multicolored arm)
• Tighten the string, and as you tighten the string, push the beads, so they sit next to the body.
• Repeat this step on the right-hand string.

• These next steps create our lizard's body.
• Place two body beads on the left-hand string.
• Take the right-hand string, and thread it through the left side of the two body beads.
• Pull the strings tight and ensure they sit between the two feet.
• Repeat these steps, but instead of two beads, use three beads.
• Now repeat, but with four beads.
• Repeat, but with three beads.
• Ok, the last repeat, but use two beads.

• This step is the same as step 3.
• Place two body beads and three foot beads on the left-hand string. Place the beads in that exact order.
• Next, use the same left-hand string the beads are on and thread the string through the left side of the two body beads. (NOTE: do not thread the string through the foot beads as this will make a long multicolored arm)
• Tighten the string, and as you tighten the string, push the beads, so they sit next to the body.
• Repeat this step on the right-hand string.

• All that is left now is to place the last bead to keep our new friend together,
• Take the last body bead and place it on the left-hand string.
• Thread the right-hand string through the left side of the bead.
• Tighten the string and complete it by taking the two ends and tying a knot.
• Your lizard is done and ready to play!

Choose any color combination and have fun designing and playing with all your lizards!