Playing with Beads

I mentioned in my last post that I've been making some new things with beads, and here they are: bag charms!

A while back I was nosing around on Etsy, as one does, and found the cutest little bag charm for a few bucks. I didn't have any, and as I am wildly fond of bags--mainly organizing bags and especially for my stitching--I decided to get one as a little treat. I was more delighted with it than I expected to be, and that got me thinking: I can make these. So I did!

These are easy to make. I already had a small set of jewelry pliers (flat and needle nose) and a small collection of beads, so I picked up some head pins, jump rings, and lobster claw clasps and went to work. All of these findings are inexpensive and Hobby Lobby will have 50% off sales (along with beads). If you've never worked with jewelry findings, there are lots of tutorial videos on YouTube. It's easy.

Most of the beads were already in my stash, or are from Hobby Lobby, but since I know someone will ask, the iced tea glass is from this shop. I've had mine for quite some time, and when I looked them up for this post, I discovered they now have a black straw in them, which I don't care for, but I thought I would include the link anyway. Perhaps you can find some without, if you prefer.

Back to the sewing room!