As promised here is a little guide as to how I make the little zip pulls on my pouches.
First up I assemble all of the bits, the beads, head pins, pliers and wire cutters.
It might look really hard and like you need loads of equipment but it's really not and you can get the pliers and cutters for about £3-5 a pair. If you fancy giving this a go you can get the bits I have used here from lots of suppliers, or maybe have a look on ebay for a starter kit with the pliers, beads and wires to get you started. I bought most of my bits from Jillybeads, Totally Beads and Rosarama Beads.
(check out my posh tupperware lid tray)
This is the best bit and the bit that takes ages, sorting out what you want to use and in what order, I usually faff with this bit for a while:
Next you grab the head pin with the round nose pliers just above the top bead and bend the wire to a 90 degree angle:
Next move the pliers up to the straight bit and grab hold again just past the bend, then using another pair of pliers wrap the wire around the pliers until it touches the starting point:
Once its at this stage this is the time to add any other embellishments and add it to the zip pull:
This is not the best picture but what happens next is that you grab the loop with one pair of pliers and with another pair you grab the end of the wire and start wrapping:
Coil the wire round and round keeping the wire taught and neat, the general rule is wrap it twice to be sure and three to be secure :)
Too many wraps will smash the delicate glass beads so just judge the space available. Once its done, snip the wire off as close to the edge as possible.
Using the crimping pliers I nip the end of the exposed wire to neaten it up and if it's still a bit raggy file it with a metal nail file.
and that's it, all done your own personal little zip pull. This method is the same for adding beads to bracelets, necklaces and earrings, once you have the basic tools you can make all kinds of stuff, and it is so addictive.
p.s. thanks to Dana for the beautiful 'made with love' tags x~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~
18 comments:
Thank you thank you thank you!!!
One question--what is the "head pin"? Is it an actual pin? I've never done beadwork before, but I actually have the pliers, etc.
This definitely makes it so much more adorable!
Oh, I see in your one photo what the head pin is. Are these sold in the jewelry section?
I just received a gift card to a craft store with an awesome jewelry and bead section...
That is great and answers alot of questions about how to finish off the pin bit. thank you.
Gillx
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I'm still hoping to replicate your gorgeous UJ make-up bags/purses.xx
They are great! Hope you have a great weekend xx
What a great idea. Will definitely try it out.
Adorable!! You have a deft hand.I must try that!
Brilliant! Ive been wanting to know how to do this for ages but didnt have a clue what I should buy! Thanks Kandi! x
Lovely lovely lovely!!
I went to jewellery making classes last year, but theres only so many bangles, bracelets etc I can make..and have loads of findings just lying about in a box and now you've given me an idea about what to do with them.
Em x
Fab tutorial, they look great.
As for the hexagons, I think it depends on the type of needle you use to sew them together, last time I used a small thinish one and it made my fingers sore, this time I am using a bigger chunkier one and so far so good ;) x
Thank you! They are so pretty =) x
Wow, that's so clever! Don't think I could do anything that fiddly though! xx
So cute. Thanks for sharing how to make them.
Hi Kandi
Another quick question. Can you use normal pliers like the ones you have in your toolbox at home and just buy round nosed and crimping ones for doing the fiddly bits? Im a bit confused about what I should buy.x
Poole I have left you a message, but I would buy the proper pliers. Have a look on ebay for jewellery making kits, for about £10 you get all you need to get you started.
Kandi x
Thanks kandi. I will get that then. Saw this too....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290465226263&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Do you think that would be any good? I think its a combination plier instead? I am clueless (as you will have gathered!) Thanks again for the tutorial and all your help xxx
The three in one are a good idea but what if you need one to hold and one to wind (see my pics above), I usually have two pairs on the go at the same time so would not go for something like that.
kandi x
OK I'm not looking (or at the very most I'm looking through my fingers) I can see this would become addictive, not looking... not looking... not looking... Jaqui x
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