miycreations-make-it-yourself-fashion-bead-crafting

make-it-yourself creations The Spirit of making things

Miycreations Project article and photographs
by Madeleine M Langlois

Miy Fashion Crafting Project: Bead Frenzy
Brilliant beads make unique custom jewelery
“Have you or your teen caught on to the bead frenzy yet?”

Hands-on time: Under 1 hour.
Total time: Plus several hours for vinyl film to bond.
Skill: easy & fun.
Project cost: under $25.00

Materials & tools:

• 2 flat beads in an oval shape, 2 rectangular glass beads, 6 small square glass
beads
• Wire cutters, needle-nose pliers or an all-in-one bead tool
• 22- to 24-gauge silver or coloured wire
• 2 bar brooch fasteners
• Bead fix by Beadalon

(Materials for this project are available at arts, crafts, fabric and the above-
mentioned stores.)

Have you or your teen caught on to the bead frenzy yet? Beads can be used to
make all kinds of items from fashion accessories to home decorative accents. With
so many colors and styles now readily available, it’s truly endless what one can
create with beads, from watches, earrings, necklaces. Need an original sweater
accessory…try making your own fashion cufflinks or matching pins, they are truly
easy to make. Fashion cufflinks are ideal to wear as jewellery accents on ruffled
sweater or shirt cuffs.

Most craft stores have bead sections with a large selection of beads in different
colors. Beaded cufflinks and brooches require only a few basic tools, such as wire
cutters, wire and bead glue. The hardest part of the project is choosing beads from
the overwhelming collection. Or choose beads to co-ordinate with something in your
wardrobe, or a special outfit.

Cut a 35-cm (14-inch) length of wire and thread it through the rectangular bead,
centering it on the wire. Thread a square glass bead on either side of the centre
bead.

Place the rectangular bead on the flat bead. Thread each wire end through the flat
bead. Wrap the wire around the two beads four times. Cross the wires at the back
and wrap the wire in the other direction around the narrower centre, also four times.
The process is similar to wrapping ribbon around a gift. On the last turn, thread a
square bead on the end wire and place it in the centre of the rectangular bead. To
secure the beads and wire, twist the wire ends at the back of the flat bead and tuck
the ends under the previous row. Repeat steps for the other pin.

To attach the fastener bars, apply the glue to the bar and to the back of the flat
bead. Press the bar onto the back of the flat bead. Repeat with the other pin. Allow
glue to dry about an hour before wearing.
Wear them with your favorite sweater or a shirt with wide and long cuffs. Get
creative and make cufflinks or brooches to clip onto a purse, hat, jeans or belts.

Variations; Bead projects can keep kids and teens busy making necklaces,
bracelets, earrings, watches, rings and even hair jewelry. Bead kits are great for
getting started. Make a style statement with several pins in different colors. Beads
can also be used to decorate vases, candle holders, lampshades and picture
frames. Kids can also make beads out of polymer clay.

Warning: Beads are a choking hazard for young children.

Miy Beaded Fashion Crafting
C r e a t i o n s & I n s p i r a t i o n s
"f o r t h e p u r e j o y o f m a k i n g t h i n g s"