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

MIY Fashion Crafting;
No Sew Fashion
Beaded Blanket
Poncho-Wrap

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"