How to make you own Zip Pulls...

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


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