How to Make a Badge Holder
Did your business issue you a boring old badge holder? Now you can make your own. Add flair to your wardrobe by beading a wonderful lanyard that will hold your badge securely yet provide that measure of safety every employer is looking for. In just a short amount of time, with materials that appeal to your personality, you can create your own style and have your co-workers begging you to make one for them.
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Things You'll Need
- Assorted beads and crystals 36-inch piece of .012 gauge beading wire Strong magnetic clasp Jump ring Crimp beads Crimping tool or needle nose pliers
Instructions
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1
Select your materials. Beads need to be somewhat lightweight so as not to pull too heavily on the magnetic clasp. Consider mixing different-size beads as well as those made with different materials. A mix of glass and plastic will lighten the final product.
Choose the color of your wire to match that of the jump ring and clasp. The same is true for the crimp beads. Your magnetic clasp should be the strongest you can find yet one that pulls apart easily. Your bead choices may be influenced by the clasp you are able to obtain. Everything should coordinate. -
2
Thread one crimp bead onto the 36-inch piece of wire. Place half the magnetic clasp on the wire, and thread it back through the crimp bead, leaving only a 1- to 2-inch "tail." Slide the crimp bead as close as possible to the clasp, and crimp (or flatten) it closed with the crimping tool or needle nose pliers. Thread the first few beads onto the wire, including both the main wire and the tail. This will help secure the wire and give extra strength to the clasp ends of the badge holder.
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3
Thread beads on the wire until you reach the halfway point of your holder. Place one larger bead on the string, then place the jump ring on the wire. Wrap the wire around the jump ring several times, then pass it back through the last bead strung. Continue to string beads until you have an equal amount of beads on each side of the jump ring.
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4
Place a crimp bead on the wire, then add the second half of the magnetic clasp. Thread the wire back through the crimp bead and several of the beads already strung on the wire. Pull the wire snug. Crimp (or flatten) the crimp bead with the crimping tool or needle nose pliers. Trim the tail of the wire.
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5
Attach your badge to the jump ring.
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Resources
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