In this section we will show you how to make items using beads.

Let's start with something quick and easy which can be used by everyone, whatever their age:

A selection of earrings using various types of ear fittings: fish hooks, kindnry wire, clips etc., some with headpins only, others combined with eye pins or attached with jump rings.
The first comment I frequently hear is: "But I haven't got pierced ears" Well, that's no problem, neither have I!

Materials you will need


  • Headpins
  • Fishook earwires
  • Spacers
  • Beads
  • Round Nose Pliers
  • Cutters

    Method


  • first take a headpin, either silver plate or gold plate
  • then select your beads, and thread them onto the headpin, making sure you place a small spacer bead at the bottom to prevent the lager beads from falling off the end,
  • leave a 1cm gap at the top of the headpin
  • then with a pair of Round Nosed Pliers twist the top of the headpin into a loop, forming the basic part of the earring
    • Beads and spacers placed onto a headpin ready to twist the top into a loop with round nosed pliers.

    Completed earrings with the loops on the headpins attached to the loops on the Fish hook.
  • To complete: choose your ear fittings, be it Kidney Wire, Stud or Fishook for pierced ears; Clips or Screws otherwise,
  • open the loop on your chosen fitting, and attach the loop on your headpin to the loop on the ear fitting,
  • close the loop on the ear fitting making certain there are no gaps and that the two parts are securely attached together
  • repeat the above to make a second matching earring and you have now successfully made you first pair of earrings!

    • Congratulations!


    This should have only taken a few minutes to complete. Now try experimenting with various combinations of beads and spacers until you are satisfied with the look you are seeking.

    Choosing the right spacer is particularly important. One "special" bead with a selection of spacers is usually more effective than lots of beads together. Play around for a while to get the feel of it and you will soon see what I mean. Always choose either silver plate or gold plate for headpins spacers and fittings rather than a mix of the two, or be really fashionable and try the latest Black fittings and headpins.

    It's great fun and you will soon have a pair of earrings to wear with pride!


    Now you will be able to develop your own ideas and make more elaborate earrings. Try joining Eyepins and Headpins together to make the earring longer and more dangly, or use Jumprings to connect various elements together or to hang pendant type beads (those with loops at the top) directly from the ear fitting.

    Try using Hoops instead of headpins, or be really creative and use Wire to make your own shapes to thread the beads onto.

    There really is no limit, except that of your own imagination! Go ahead, have fun!

    There are many other ways to make earrings. Here is one example of earrings together with a matching pendant.

    These were made by one of our "Saturday Girls" using "Nymo" and rocailles combined with matching bugles. We sell the bugles in tubes at 95p per tube.