How to Make Crystal Animal Bead Charms

From Pandora bracelets to beaded lanyards, jewelry with charms allow both the designer and the wearer to express themselves easily. While charms purchased for charm bracelets once were simple items that reflected travels or special occasions, now they have become extensions of a person's personality. Animal charms can be created simply and added to a piece of jewelry.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Multi-piece bead cap in an animal shape 6mm to 10mm round or bicone crystals for each animal Jewelers glue or E60 epoxy toothpick

1. 
    
   Animal bead caps from firemountaingems.com include a frog, bear and cat.

   Assemble your supplies. Purchase your multi-piece bead cap animal from an online store or bead store that handles more unusual findings. Several different types of animals are available. Frogs, cats, bears and rabbits were found online after searching for "animal bead caps."
   Once you have your bead-cap animal, purchase the crystals or beads you feel will look best. The range is usually from a 6mm to 10mm crystal that could be round or bicone in shape. It depends on the shape of the animal you wish to have.
   The jewelers glue or epoxy is permanent and waterproof and should be applied with a toothpick. Cover your work surface to prevent any damage to furniture. Epoxy (E60) will set up quickly, while jewelers glue will take longer and the project will need to be held until set.

2. Pick up the head of your animal charm. Using the toothpick, apply a small amount of adhesive to the top. You do not want the adhesive to be seen once the crystal is in place. Place the crystal, hole side up, into the indentation of the top and push to seat it tightly. Immediately wipe away any adhesive that might have leaked onto the crystal. Allow to set.

3. Place a small amount of adhesive to the bottom of the animal charm. Place the bottom in position on the bottom of the crystal, so the "legs" are facing forward. Push the pieces together to seat them tightly. Again, immediately clear away any excess adhesive. Allow to set overnight before attaching it to a piece of jewelry.

Tips & Warnings

• Other multi-piece bead caps are available for fun and interesting charm making.