How to Make Your Own European Beads
European beads are glass charms made with a hole size measuring 4.5 mm. These charms are lined with silver tubing and are designed to fit on "European-style" chains, which are typically silver or gold wheat chains. These beads are called "European" because many of the first charm-making companies originated in Europe. You can learn how to make your own European beads by inserting carefully measured pieces of silver tubing into beads using a riveting technique.
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Things You'll Need
- Glass beads with 4.5 mm holes
- Silver tubing
- Dapping punch
- Leather pad
- Rawhide mallet
- Caliper
- Band saw
- Metal file
- Silver polishing cloth
Instructions
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Select glass beads with 4.5 mm holes and inspect them to ensure there are no cracks, chips or uneven ends. Clean the inside of bead holes with a hand-held reamer or craft drill bit.
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2
Measure each bead from hole to hole with a caliper. Add 4mm to that measurement and cut a piece of .25mm thick silver tubing to that size using a band saw. Use a metal file to remove any burrs or rough edges from both ends of the silver tubing.
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Insert the tubing inside the bead hole and place the bead on a leather pad with the silver tubing sticking up straight.
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4
Select a dapping punch that is slightly larger than the diameter of the silver tubing and place the punch on top of one side of the tubing. Tap several times with a rawhide mallet. This will begin the "flaring" process of turning the edge of the tubing under to create a "lip" of silver that will eventually fit snugly against the bead hole. As soon as the metal begins to flare, turn the bead over.
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Repeat the dapping process on the bead's other side. Alternate between flaring one side and then the other to ensure an even flare. When the flares are even on both side and very close to touching the surface of the bead, switch to a slightly larger dapping tool to bring the silver in contact with the glass bead.
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Use the rawhide mallet for the "finish work" of creating a snug fit of silver tubing against glass. The core of the bead should not be able to "spin" or move at this point. Gently hammer down any "gaps" where the silver does not touch the bead.
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Polish the silver core with a silver polishing cloth. This will shine the silver and remove any minute scratches on the surface.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also make your own European-style beads by gluing silver or metal rivets into bead holes.
Glass can chip or crack during the riveting process. For best results, use only high-quality glass beads that are symmetrical and have holes that are flush with the side of the bead.
Wear safety glasses when cutting silver.
References
Resources
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