- Collect a variety of beads that can include different size faux pearls, glass, wood, seed, metal and plastic beads. Small buttons with embedded beads can also be used. To secure beads to a craft project, have a hot glue gun and glue sticks, thread and a fine jewelry needle, vinyl-covered stretch wire and 20- to 24-gauge jewelry wire in silver and gold. Tools to have when working with jewelry wire should be wire crimper (to flatten and secure two ends together), jewelry tweezers and wire cutters.
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Make a pretty fabric lavender sachet in the shape of a heart. Decorate it with ribbon bows and a tassel, then randomly add small faux pearls on one side of the sachet using a hot glue gun.
Decorate a plain, clear, glass vase with a neck with seed beads or small glass beads. String assorted beads on a long piece of vinyl-covered jewelry wire. Wrap the wire with beads around and around the neck about five or six times or until satisfied with the design. Cut the wire with a wire cutter and use jewelry pliers to twist the two ends of the wires together. Flatten the sharp ends with a crimper and tuck the ends in.
Enhance a bookmark by trimming it with beads. String one bead onto a 10-inch piece of jewelry wire. Fold in half so that the bead is at one end. Add assorted beads leaving 1-inch with no beading. Punch a small hole at one end of the bookmark, slip one end of the two wires through the hold and secure by twisting with jewelry pliers and crimping the ends. - Inexpensive beads (from old jewelry) or craft beading can be found at garage sales or thrift shops. If shopping at craft shops such as Fire Mountain Gems, BJ Craft Supplies or AC Moore, use discount coupons whenever possible. These are usually in the Sunday paper or you can sign up for email specials on their websites. The Dollar Store also has highly discounted jewelry with beads that can be used for decorating crafts.
