Chenille stems, also known as pipe cleaners or tinsel stems, are chenille-covered wires that are used to make a variety of crafts. "Craft" pipe cleaners are usually made with polyester or nylon pile. A pipe cleaner is made of two lengths of wire twisted together trapping short lengths of fiber (pile) between them. Chenille yarn is made the same way, which is why craft pipe cleaners are also called chenille stems. Chenille stems come in a variety of colors and patterns, including neon, glitter (tinsel), or striped. Chenille stems usually come in bulk, from packages of 10 to 500.
Check out the Think Crafts blog, to see more projects that use chenille stems!