How to Make Beaded Hair Accessories

Almost any type of hair accessory can be dressed up with beading. These designs are fast and simple and designed for crafters who are new to beading. Making intricate designs with small beads takes a bit of patience and a steady hand, but is actually quite easy once you get the hang of it.

Things You'll Need

• Hair accessory of your choice
• Beads
• Beading string or wire
• Scissors or wire cutter
• Thin elastic strips
• Clear craft glue

Instructions

1. Make beaded bobby pins. You can simply pull beads through the top part of the bobby pin and glue the end of the pin so they don't fall off. Or you can glue small beads to the top of the pin.

   Alternatively, take a beading string or wire and cut it to just a bit longer than the length of the bobby pin. Tie off one side and thread a row of beads that is a little shorter than the length of the bobby pin. Tie off the other end of the string or wire. Place a few drops of glue on the bobby pin and attach the beaded string.

2. Create beaded hair clips. Unlike bobby pins, which only have a straight line to work with, metal hair clips start off narrow and get wide at the end, which leaves more room for beads.

   Glue a strip of small beads across the entire top of the hair clip. You can glue each individually or simply place glue along the entire hair clip and dip it in a bowl of small beads. For a much simpler look, glue a single large bead on the wide end of the hair clip. Or combine the two designs and glue a strip of small beads on both sides of the hair clip and add a matching large bead at the wide end.

3. Add beads to headbands. Start with a simple headband, preferably one with a simple fabric covering. Glue beads onto the headband in whatever style you choose. For example, create alternating rows of black beads and white beads, or glue beads in diagonal lines running across the top of the headband.

   To create a headband from scratch, pull a beading string or wire over your head starting from below one ear to below the second ear. Thread a string of large beads onto the beading string or wire and secure both ends very well. On each side of the string or wire, knot an elastic strip onto the string right above the last bead so that the last bead will keep the elastic from sliding down. Pull the beaded wire and elastic around your head and tie the elastic in the middle so that the headband feels snug.

4. Make a beaded ponytail holder. Cut a thin strip of elastic a few inches long --- the length depends on your hair type and amount of hair you wish to tie up with the ponytail holder. Thread the beads onto the elastic string, leaving about 2 inches of empty space and secure both ends of the elastic. Pull the beaded elastic around your ponytail. Tie the elastic so that if fits tightly around your hair. Once the elastic is tied, you can remove the homemade ponytail holder and use it again as you would any other hair tie.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are gluing beads, let them dry overnight before wearing the hair accessory.

References

• "20-Minute Crafts: Beading"; Katherine Stull; 2006