Pony Bead Axolotls

These Pony Bead Axolotls are "alotl" fun for kids of all ages to make this summer!

Are the kids looking for a creative summer activity? These pony bead axolotls are a fun and simple project that only takes about 15 minutes! This is a great activity for kids of all ages to do during summer camps or rainy afternoons to keep busy. Once you get the hang of making your own colorful beaded axolotls, you can share your creations as gifts or even start your own little business and sell them to everyone you know!

To make your own Pony Bead Axolotls, you will need these supplies:

• Regular Pony Beads and/or Glitter Pony Beads
• Black Pony Beads
• 1-2mm String
• Scissors
• Lighter (optional)

Now, to get started! The project might look complicated, but I promise that the axolotls are easy to make. I will walk you through every step of the process, but feel free to refer to the image above or download the pattern to help you along. 

For each beaded axolotl, you will need:

• 4 yards string
• 2 black pony beads
• 2 colors pony beads
  Main (light pink on pattern): 103 beads
  Accent (dark pink on pattern): 63 beads

For each rainbow beaded axolotl, you will need:

• 4 yards string
• 2 black pony beads
• 7 colors pony beads
  Main (white): 103 beads
  Accent:
  Pink/Red: 11 beads
  Orange: 9 beads
  Yellow: 11 beads
  Green: 11 beads
  Blue: 11 beads
  Purple: 10 beads

Before beginning, decide on your "Main" color beads and the "Accent" color beads. For this tutorial, the main colored beads will be white, and the accents will be a rainbow of colors. In the pattern, the main color is light pink, and the accent is dark pink.

Cut 3 meters (about 4 yards) of nylon string with a sharp pair of scissors. Use a lighter to carefully burn the ends to keep them from fraying.

Start by adding three white beads to the string, and move them to the center. For the next row, place four more beads below the first, and then bring each end of the cord through the pair of beads and out the opposite sides. You can pull the string tight, but just keep in mind that it will easily loosen at this point*.

*My daughter struggled with this issue, so I'm adding it here for others who may feel similar.

**I also had a keychain attached at the beginning, but I ended up taking it off. It was causing all kinds of problems, however, I will tell you how to attach one once the project is completed!

The next row will be added the same way as the previous one, but this time add two black beads with two white ones in between. Bring the ends of the string through the row of beads and out the opposite side.

Next, add the first of the 6 iconic frilly gills of the axolotl. Slide 5 accent beads onto the left string.

Add one more bead, then bring the end of the string back down through the third bead and pull it through to make a little triangle of beads at the end.

Add one more bead, then thread the string through the last bead and pull it through to tighten it up. Congratulations, the first frilly gill is complete!!

Make another frilly gill on the right side using the same instructions as above.

After that second gill is complete, slide 5 white beads onto the string. Thread the opposite string through and pull it tight, just like the first couple of bead lines you started with.

Follow the instructions above to add a frilly gill on each side using accent color(s), then add another row of main color. Then, add the last set of frilly gills, and then one last row consisting of 4 main color beads.

Add two more rows, then it's time to add the first set of legs. Slide 7 white beads onto one side, then thread the end of the string through the first four beads and pull it through.

Making the body of the axolotl is pretty straightforward: add 5 more rows of white beads. Make sure to count how many beads you need for each row!

After the body is added, add two more legs the same way that is instructed above.

After the legs, add one more row of 4 white beads.

Now it's time to add the tail! I made mine using a rainbow of beads ad my accent color, but you can use any amount of colors instead to suit your style.

The tail is pretty easy since it's just more rows of beads, but with a colored one on each side of 1-2 white beads. Follow the pattern to add enough beads to complete the tail.

When you get to the end of the tail, tie the string into a double or even triple knot. Trim the ends close to the knot, and use the lighter to melt the ends of the string to the knot for an extra-secure hold.

I *might* have burned the ends of the string a little, so here's another reminder to be careful when working with a lighter!!

Now the Pony Bead Axolotl is complete! It measures about 8 inches long and 3 inches wide. I love that you can change up the colors to make a more colorful axolotl to suit your style. My daughter calls this rainbow axolotl the "Neurodivergent Axolotl".

It's a fun little creature to fidget with (the smooth feeling of the beads is quite satisfying), is a cute little piece of decor, or can be turned into a keychain to add to a bag or backpack.

To add a keyring, use something like a staple remover or even a craft stick to open a gap in the keyring, and then slide it through the center bead at the top and twist it around until it's all the way through. Another option is to attach a jump ring through the bead first, and then hook that onto the keyring.

These Pony Bead Axolotls are such a fun, colorful, and easy craft for kids of all ages to make at home, summer camp, and even in the classroom. As always, I love to see your version of these projects! Please share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest #AFMCrafts

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