How to Make Key Chains With Glass Beads

You can select from a plethora of glass beads to create your handmade key chain.

As there are numerous colors in the rainbow, so are there numerous colors of glass beads you can use to make your own key chain. Making a personalized glass beaded key chain has advantages, including the fact that your keys will be easy to identify and will even reflect a bit about your personality to the world. Use beads in your favorite colors or ones that are cut from your birthstone or other semi-precious stone, or use lettered beads to spell out your name or initials. Glass beaded key chains make nice handmade gifts for friends and family too, with little investment other than your time and love.

Things You'll Need

• Glass beads
• Stretchy cord elastic
• Scissors
• Tape
• 1 inch cardboard square
• Jewelry glue
• Key ring

Instructions

1. Purchase key ring from a craft shop. Choose a lightweight ring such as a split ring so that it will not weigh down and stretch the elastic cord.

2. Select enough beads to make a 6-inch line, and place them on a flat surface that is covered with a towel or other nappy material to prevent them from rolling away from you as you work.

3. Arrange your selected beads in the order in which you want to string them. Keep in mind that you will need to use one large bead to cover the end of the elastic cord where it will be tied. This bead can be considered the showpiece bead of your key chain.

4. Cut a 9-inch piece of stretchy cord elastic. Tape a small piece of cardboard to one end of the elastic to keep the beads in place as you string them on.

5. String your beads onto the elastic beginning with the largest bead first. Imagine that this is the showpiece, or centerpiece of your key ring, and add complementary beads accordingly.

6. Slide the key ring onto the string of beads. If you are using a split ring, slide the string of beads right through the center. For a jump ring, thread the end of the elastic cord through the attached eye pin.

7. Remove the cardboard piece from the end of the elastic cord. Tie the two ends of the elastic cord together flush with the last two beads using a double knot. Pull the elastic tightly to ensure that the knot is secure. Trim off the excess elastic cord.

8. Place a drop of jewelry glue on the double knot and slide the large bead over the knot, allowing it to dry in place before using your glass beaded key chain.

Tips & Warnings

• You can practice your design by using a piece of string before committing to the elastic.

• Allow the glue to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions before putting your keys onto the key ring.