How to Make a Bead Lanyard

ID badges have become the newest in fashion accessories in the workplace. Needing to be worn at all times, the standard issue lanyard does not give that sense of flair most women want when dressing for the office. Creating a bead lanyard allows you to express yourself while enhancing your attire.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flexible beading wire
• Cloth or towel
• Beads, crystals and/or gemstones
• Jump ring
• Crimping beads
• Magnetic clasp
• Crimping tool
• Wire cutters

1. Cut a length of wire approximately 35 to 40 inches long. Your finished project will be about 28 inches long, and you can lengthen or shorten it depending on your preference. The ID badge holder should hit about the middle of the chest halfway between your shoulders and waist. Set the cut wire aside.

2. 
   Use jump rings or toggle clasps.

   Spread the cloth or towel over your work area. Place your beads, crystals and gemstones on the cloth in a row. Concentrate on the design you want to conclude with, using a mix of the materials you have to create the look you wish. Continue working on the design until you have it laid out to the proper length.

3. Place the jump ring in the center of the design, slightly below the row of beads. Lay out two or three small beads and one larger bead. You will use these to connect the jump ring to the rest of the lanyard.

4. 
   Thread wire back through crimp beads.

   String one crimp bead and half of the magnetic clasp onto one end of the wire. Bring the wire back through the crimp bead and allow a tail of about two inches. Move the crimp bead up snuggled against the clasp. Using the crimping tool, crimp the bead so that it securely holds the 2 pieces of wire.

5. Place your beads on the wire, making sure to place the first series of beads over both pieces of wire. This will give extra strength and security to the back section of your lanyard. Continue stringing beads until you reach the halfway point. Add the beads you have set aside to hold the jump ring, starting with the larger bead, then the smaller ones.

6. 
   Wrap the wire around the jump ring, then thread it back through the beads.

   Place the jump ring on the wire, wrapping the wire around the ring two or three times. Thread the wire back through the small beads and the larger bead. Continue placing the beads on the wire according to your design until you have finished.

7. 
   Thread wire back through crimp beads and prestrung beads.

   Add one crimp bead and the second half of the magnetic clasp to your wire, threading the wire back through the crimp bead and about two inches of the previously placed beads. Pull wire taught so that the crimp bead is snuggled up against the magnetic clasp. Using the crimping tool, crimp the bead. Trim the excess wire from the project. Attach your ID badge to the center jump ring.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the closed half of a toggle clasp instead of the jump ring to add additional flair to your lanyard.

References

• Ezine Articles
• Bead and Button

Resources

• Bead patterns

[gputscher]

on 10/27/2009 Great article on How to Make a Bead Lanyard. Will have to try this. Thanks for sharing.

[FranticMommy]

on 9/5/2009 Great tips on making a beaded lanyard!