Ribbon candy is usually available only at Christmas. This beautiful candy is made by folding a flat ribbon of striped candy into a stack of soft, even curves. When viewed from one angle it is a wide ribbon of shiny stripes. Turn it 90 degrees and it is reminiscent of the curves of lovely, even calligraphy. You can make ornaments from ribbon and beads that mimic the look of ribbon candy, but will not melt, become sticky or attract pests like real candy will.
Instructions
1. Cut an 18-inch length of heavy beading filament or fishing line. Thread one end through the eye of a needle. Knot the other end and place a dot of hot glue on the knot to hold it in place and make it slightly larger.
2. Cut a 28-inch length of 2-inch ribbon. Iron a 1-inch fold on each end of the ribbon to finish the raw edges.
3. Thread the needle through the center of one end of the ribbon, 1/2 inch from the fold. Pull the line until the ribbon rests on the knot.
4. Thread a 1/2-inch bead onto the needle and pull it down until it rests on the ribbon.
5. Fold the ribbon over the bead and insert the needle into the ribbon 2 inches farther along the ribbon. Be sure to insert the needle into the center of the width of the ribbon. The ribbon will be folded over the bead, forming a loop on one side of the bead.
6. Thread on another bead and fold the ribbon over this bead and insert the needle in the same way. This will form a loop on the other side of the ornament.
7. Continue adding beads and folding the ribbon over until the entire ribbon is folded. Keep the loops on each side even to mimic the look of ribbon candy.
8. Tie an ornament hook onto the line just above the last loop of ribbon. Secure the knot with a small dot of hot glue and cut off the excess line.
