How to Make a Beaded Zipper Pull

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By geltdesigns
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Zipper pulls are the rage of the playground set. They can be worn on your favorite jacket, hung from bags, purses or join a collection on your backpack. Zipper pulls are very stylish and add zing to any outfit or bag. Zipper pulls also make great presents for people of all ages. This tutorial was written and demonstrated by our youngest designer. The tutorial is an introduction to wire jewelry techniques. In this project, we will demonstrate basic wire jewelry techniques and show you how to use these skills to make your own beaded zipper pull.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

1 head pin
3 beads
1 hook
wire tools (including wire cutters, needle nose pliers, round nose pliers and needle file, cup burr or rounding tool)

Step 1

Assemble your tools and materials.
Step 2

Feed the beads onto the head pin according to your design.
Step 3

Place your round nose pliers on the head pin at the top of the last bead and bend the head pin at a right angle.
Step 4

Pull the head pin wire around to create a loop.
Step 5

Secure the loop by wrapping three times. Use your round nose pliers to be sure the end is flush. File smooth with a needle file, as needed.
Step 6

Slip the hook through the wire wrapped loop.
Step 7

Your zipper pull is now complete. Add it to your favorite jacket, backpack or purse.

Tips & Warnings

This is a great activity for girl scout troops and other clubs. It is an excellent way for children to learn wire jewelry. Once your kids have mastered a simple zipper pull, it will be easy to teach them how to make jewelry in other forms.
The drop demonstrated in this project is the basis for creating a multitude of wire wrapped jewelry, including wire wrapped pendants and wire wrapped earrings.
You can use any combination of beads that will fit on the head pin, including craft beads, blown glass beads, a lampwork bead, a dichroic bead, gold filled beads or any combination of these and other beads. Check with your local bead shop or nearest shop selling craft supplies or jewelry making supplies.
Although you can find the tools needed at most bead shops, crafts stores or jewelry supply houses, less expensive versions are available at most hardware stores.
Always wear eye goggles when cutting wire to make wire jewelry.
Be sure to sure the end of the head pin is not jagged.
Beading wire (including Beadalon and softflex) can not be substituted for a head pin in this project. See the resources listed below for instructions on how to make a head pin for this project (and other wire jewelry).
Be aware that the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was recently amended to dictate safety requirements regarding kids products that contain lead and other phthalates. For purposes of the CPSIA, a child is defined as a person 12 years old and under. So check to be sure any parts used for projects with kids do not contain lead or phthalates.