How to Make a Registration Badge Holder

Beads, a little chain and some ribbon make attractive badge holders.

Most multiday conference and workshop organizers now issue a reusable badge to identify attendees. The holders for these badges are rarely attractive, but you can make your own fashion statement with a handmade, personalized holder made from a few craft supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Beading wire
• Badge clip
• 2 crimp beads
• Crimping tool (or flat-nose pliers)
• Beads
• 14-gauge jewelry wire
• Needle-nose pliers
• 4 mm beads
• Jewelry chain
• Jump rings
• Ribbon
• 10 mm bead or pendant
• Polymer clay

Instructions

Beaded Holder

1. Thread one end of the beading wire through a crimp bead, through the badge clip and back through the crimp bead. Use the crimping tool to close the bead.

2. String beads in the desired pattern to about 1 1/2 inches from the other end of the wire.

3. Thread the wire end through a crimp bead, the badge clip and back through the crimp bead. Close the crimp bead.

Beaded Chain Holder

1. Cut 14-gauge wire into 2 1/2-inch pieces.

2. Wrap one end of each piece of wire around the needle-nose pliers to form a closed loop.

3. Thread three 4 mm beads on each piece of wire.

4. Wrap the open end of each wire around the pliers to form a closed loop.

5. Cut the chain into 5-inch pieces.

6. Slightly open one closed loop on a beaded set and thread on one end of a chain length. Close the loop.

7. Open the other loop on the beaded piece. Add a different piece of chain. Close the loop.

8. Add a beaded piece to the open end of the chain. Continue until the badge holder reaches the desired length, ending with chain lengths on both ends.

9. Open a jump ring. Thread one chain end, the badge clip and the other chain end onto the ring. Close the ring.

Ribbon and Chain Holder

1. Weave the ribbon through the chain links.

2. Thread the ribbon ends through a 10 mm bead or the bail of a pendant. Tie the ends into a knot. Add a drop of jewelry glue to secure the knot, if desired.

3. Open a jump ring. Thread the badge clip on the ring and close the jump ring.

4. Open another jump ring and thread it onto the chain link behind the bead or pendant. Add the ring holding the clip. Close the new jump ring.

Retractable Reel Holder

1. Shape polymer clay around the top and side button portion of the badge reel. Do not wrap the clay under the button.

2. Embellish the clay base with more clay or by carving designs into the base.

3. Bake the base according to the directions on the package of clay.

Tips & Warnings

• Embellish the chains by adding dangling beads. String the beads on a head pin, make a closed loop at the end, and attach the loop to the chain links.

• Be sure that the retractable reel is oven-safe. If you are unsure, use the top of a cover-it-yourself sewing button as the polymer clay form. After baking, use jeweler's glue to attach the button to the reel.

References

• Article Snatch: Wear Your ID With Style and Pride
• Article Snatch: A Necklace With a Practical Purpose
• Article Snatch: Personalized Badge Holders and Other Fun Projects for Kids
• Article Snatch: Avoid the Plain ID Badge Holder Trap and Brighten Things Up With Beaded Lanyards
• Article Snatch: Make Your Teacher's Day With Beaded Lanyards