I just kinda wrap them around my hand and then put them in ziplock baggies and then those go into a clear sterlite tub. I keep them in my craft room because I tend to use them at other times during the year or in crafts that I make. .....

Lynne

I hadn't thought of baggies, I may try that. I pack most of them with the Christmas stuff, but I keep a few out for Valentine's. Thanks for the suggestion. - Gail

I stuff an empty paper towel roll with plastic bags to make it more solid, and then wrap the beads around, trying not to overlap. I used to used baggies, but still would have a few snafu's. ;o)

Another way to do it if you don't want to use baggies is to loosely wrap around your hand and the tie a ribbon or twist wire through the loop .....

Lynne

DH came up with idea to use pieces of sturdy cardboard and wrap the beads around them. Seemed to work when I pulled them out this year.

DD

Thanks for the ideas. Like I said I have a LOT of these, I've used the saran wrap tubes (they're really sturdy) but I can't figure a way to attach them. I may try the cardboard idea, and for the ones I don't pack away, I am going to just gather them up and tie them. - Gail

Gail,

I have a few beaded garlands. This may sound a little weird, but instead of winding them around, I just drop them gently into a tennis ball can and put the plastic cap on. All my holiday things are in storage right now so I can't measure how long a length will fit in one tennis ball can, but depending on the garland I think quite a long one will fit. The can protects them a little and keeps them clean. And the best thing is, because the cans are transparent, I can tell my red glass bead ones from the gold faceted plastic bead ones. (If you don't have a source for the cans you can generally pick a few up in trash cans around a tennis court).

- Magpie

I've used the baggies, but also sort of a version of Magpie's idea, I use the small clear shoebox size plastic containers. Several will go in one of those.
I also have draped them over a plastic hangar and hung it in my storage closet.

hugs, Karen

Dont know if someone already mentioned this, but if you put them on a papertowel cardboard roll or a christmas paper roll or a flat pc of cardboard. WHEN YOU START it, tear a little slit at the top of the cardboard...and push a bead down in it..and then start wrapping/rolling , when you get to the end...tear another slit to hold the other end. VIOLA!

These are wonderful ideas. So far I'm using the cardboard. I did cut a slit to hold the first bead and another to hold the last bead. Thanks for all the help. - Gail