How to Make Beaded Purse Handles
Craft your own stylized beaded purse handles to make old purses look new or to make new purses look retro. It's also an easy way to repair a favorite purse with a broken handle. Purchase wooden or sparkly new beads from a craft store or bead shop. Make the rounds at thrift stores for inexpensive vintage beaded jewelry or salvage the beads from your own broken necklaces and bracelets. Only a few additional supplies make this an easy project to complete in an hour or two.
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Things You'll Need
- 16- to 20-gauge wire or a purchased wire handle
- Assortment of wooden, acrylic, or glass beads of your choice
- Needle nose pliers
- Wire cutter
- Felt tip marker
- Sandpaper
- Marker
- Vice grip or a second pair of pliers
Instructions
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1
Determine the desired length of the completed purse handle and add three more inches at each end. Cut two lengths of the wire with the wire cutter.
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2
Mark the wire three inches in from each end. Sand down the sharp edges with sandpaper.
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3
Bend the wire into a loop at the 3-inch mark. Make the loop as small or as large as needed, depending on the style of purse, by crossing the wire.
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4
Place the vice grip on the loop below the crossed wires and hold tight. Wrap the end of the wire tightly several times around the longer end of the wire. Cut off any excess wire and sand it smooth.
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5
Add beads of your choice until you reach the 3-inch mark at the other end of the wire.
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6
With needle nose pliers, bend the wire about 1 inch from the last bead. Fold the wire over the pliers to form the loop. Twist the excess wire as before. Cut off the excess and sand it smooth.
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7
Attach the handle to the purse.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Make sure the beads you use have holes large enough to slip over the wire.
Always take care when working with wire. Make cuts clean and smooth them with sand aper. If te wire is heavy duty, wear safety classes to prevent shavings from flying into your eyes.
