How to Customize Letter Openers

Beads come in many colors to decorate your letter opener.

Stationery has almost always been decorative or at least personalized. Letter openers fall into the category of stationery, but are often overlooked as a decorative item. They can be decorated very nicely to fit the style of your stationery or desk set. Even if you don't use letter openers, they add a nice touch to a desk or stationery gift set.

Things You'll Need

• Letter opener
• Double-sided craft tape
• Plate or tray
• Micro beads
• Super glue

Instructions

Beading The Handle

1. Select some clear micro beads for this project; they should be small and grain-like with no holes through them. Decorate letter openers with any shaped handle, as long as there is an obvious distinction between the handle and the letter opener itself. The handle sould be smooth with no rough texture at all.

2. Pour the micro beads onto a plate or other dish large enough for the letter opener to fit in. Spread them out evenly. If you have several colors of micro beads, you may want to arrange them in groups or stripes of color to create a design on the letter opener.

3. Remove the paper backing off the double-sided craft tape, on one side only. Wrap the handle of the letter opener completely in the double-sided tape. Do not overlap passes of tape. Overlapping may result in pieces of the paper backing getting stuck under other pieces, and it will be difficult to remove all of the paper backing.

4. Remove the last of the paper backing from the tape. Peel very slowly to avoid ripping the tape.

5. Place the letter opener into the tray filled with beads. Press firmly to ensure the beads stick well to the tape. Shake or wipe off any loose beads, and the letter opener is ready to be used.

Selective Designs

1. Pour some micro beads onto your plate or tray and spread them out evenly.

2. Apply super glue to the letter opener in a design or feature word, phrase or your initials. Apply the glue only where you want beads to stick.

3. Dip the letter opener into the beads, covering the entire glued area, and press. Do not use your fingers because super glue bonds instantly to skin. Allow the super glue to dry and reapply glue and beads in areas where it may be necessary to fill in the design.

Tips & Warnings

• Flat metal letter openers work very well because they are smooth enough to hold beads and the handle is larger than the blade.

• Use caution when using super glue. If eye contact occurs, see a medical professional.

References

• Scrap Friends