How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Christmas Bell: Easy Step-by-Step Ornament

To make a pipe cleaner Christmas bell, coil or loop metallic chenille stems into a rounded bell body, widen the lower edge into a flare, attach a small clapper underneath, then add a bow and hanging loop at the top. The basic ornament can be assembled with twists and wraps instead of hot glue.

Pipe Cleaner Christmas Bell: Quick Instructions

1. Make a small top loop from a gold, silver or festive pipe cleaner.
2. Build the bell body with stacked loops or a widening coil.
3. Spread the lower edge to create the bell flare.
4. Make a small clapper and secure it inside the bottom.
5. Add a red, green or metallic bow at the top.
6. Attach a secure loop and reshape the ornament before hanging.

This standalone tutorial expands the bell ornament included in our pipe cleaner Christmas ornaments collection.

Materials

• 3 to 4 gold, silver, yellow or white pipe cleaners
• 1 red or green pipe cleaner for the bow
• Optional contrasting stem for the clapper
• Optional ribbon or thread for hanging
• Scissors if trimming is needed

Chenille stems have a wire core. Fold cut ends inward and supervise children appropriately when scissors or exposed wire ends are involved.

How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Bell Step by Step

Step 1: Make the Top of the Bell

Fold a metallic pipe cleaner around your fingertip to make a small loop. Twist the base of the loop twice. This connection becomes both the top of the bell and an anchor for the body.

Step 2: Start the Bell Body

Wrap another pipe cleaner around the top connection to create a compact ring. Continue downward with slightly wider loops so the body begins narrow and gradually expands.

Step 3: Build the Flared Shape

Add another stem and make the lower loops wider than the upper ones. Pinch and spread the bottom edge until the silhouette resembles a bell rather than a straight cylinder.

Step 4: Secure the Body Without Glue

At each connection, wrap the loose tail around the neighboring structural stem at least twice. Tuck the final end toward the inside. This keeps the shape together without adhesive.

Step 5: Make the Clapper

Coil a short piece of chenille into a tiny ball or compact loop. Leave a narrow tail above it and attach that tail inside the center of the bell so the clapper hangs slightly below the lower edge.

Step 6: Add a Christmas Bow

Shape a red or green stem into two small bow loops with two short tails. Wrap the bow center around the top bell connection. Keep the hanging loop free.

Step 7: Add the Ornament Loop

If the original top loop is too small for hanging, attach a separate chenille or ribbon loop behind it. Lift the ornament by this loop to check that the bell hangs vertically.

Step 8: Shape and Finish

Round the upper body, widen the bottom flare evenly and center the clapper. Tuck every exposed wire tip into the back or interior of the ornament.

How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Bell Without Glue

Keep a short tail on every added piece and use it as a built-in fastener. Wrap tails around structural stems two or three times and hide the ends inside the bell. This twist-and-wrap method also works for many projects in our no-glue pipe cleaner guide.

Turn the Bell Into a Christmas Ornament

Keep the bell lightweight and place the hanging point directly above its center. A red bow makes the ornament easy to coordinate with a pipe cleaner candy cane, while metallic bells pair naturally with a pipe cleaner snowflake.

7 Pipe Cleaner Christmas Bell Ideas

1. Gold Bell With Red Bow

Use metallic gold for the entire bell and bright red for a classic bow.

2. Silver Snow Bell

Combine silver and white stems for a winter ornament that works beside snowflakes.

3. Red and Green Bell

Make the body red and use green for the bow and hanging loop.

4. Double Bells

Make two small bells and join their top loops under one larger bow.

5. Mini Bell Ornament

Use shorter folded sections and a compact clapper for small tree branches.

6. Bell Garland

Make several lightweight bells and attach them at intervals along a pipe cleaner garland.

7. Bell With Holly Accent

Add two small green leaf loops and tiny red chenille coils near the bow to suggest holly.

Common Problems and Easy Fixes

Bell looks flat: round the side loops outward with your fingers. Bottom is too narrow: widen only the lowest loops to restore the flare. Clapper falls off: give its tail another wrap around the interior center. Ornament tilts: move the hanging connection toward the center of balance.

More Christmas Pipe Cleaner Crafts

Complete your handmade ornament set with a pipe cleaner Christmas tree, pipe cleaner reindeer, Christmas angel, or pipe cleaner Santa Claus.

FAQs