Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “Using ‘Swellegant’ Metal Coatings & Colorants”:“It would probably be best if you visit Christi Friesen's site & ask the question there.…” read »
on “Using ‘Swellegant’ Metal Coatings & Colorants”:“Can the patina's or Swellegant line be mixed with epoxy to make a color for inlay?…” read »
- on “Crimping Basics”:
“thank you so much for this tutorial! you guys are great! love your site love your…” read »
on “D.I.Y. Tassels”:“I like the twine chosen. The varied pastel colors look so soft and pretty.…” read »
- on “Make a Bolo Necklace”:
“Leave it up to LIMA BEADS to bring us the latest, coolest and best findings and…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“Oops, wrong pic sent. Square knots between beads...…” read »
- on “Using Collapsible Beading Needles”:
“Love your site. Your selection of charms, beads, and supplies is a feast for jewelry artists.…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Using Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm Tibetan Agate matte 8mm, African Turq 6mm Joesphine macrame knot …” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Love this knot! It holds the bead in place and keeps it from spinning when I…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Wow this is gonna be fun learning!…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“I will definitely try this. Tana R -- Thanks for the heads up.…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“8mm gemstone rounds that 2 strands did not fit through that I tried: African Turquoise Tibetan Agate…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Got my order today to make bracelets using 8mm gemstone rounds, Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm using…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“I am definitely going to try this! I love the look of knotted work, but have…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“Oooooohhhhh ... this looks so cool, absolutely something I'll try.
…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“Thank you for the written and visual instructions for the snake knot! I found the…” read »
- on “Using a Helicopter Punch”:
“I'm using alcohol inks on your blanks and having a great time, experimenting.…” read »
on “DIY Pom-Poms”:“Who knew? A fork of all things! Looks like a fun way to make pom poms.…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Depending on where you tie it, you could make tiny tassels too. Thanks for the…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Brilliant, with a greater chance of uniformity than i am used to!…” read »
on “DIY Pom-Poms”:“A fork?! Of course! Brilliant! These are too cute! Time to go check out the bakers…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“What an easy way to make pompoms!…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Adorable! I bet these would make cute earrings.…” read »
- on “Coloring Metal with Alcohol Inks”:
“I am excited to start using alcohol inks and especially on metel.…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Hi! Do you have any suggestions on a way to possibly tighten my threat on a…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Great video instructions but I wondered if you have ever created a PDF for it? I…” read »
- on “Rejuvenating Gilders Paste”:
“Alas, I've tried Gamsol too, with the same poor results - grainy, thinly tinted Gamsol. …” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Great tips maybe my covers won't look so horrible now thanks a lot. Lisa Aceto…” read »
- on “Rejuvenating Gilders Paste”:
“Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! I have been looking for what to do with my…” read »
on “How to Use Colorful Enamel Accents”:“Would love it if they also came in metallics-gold, silver, copper, etc. I'd use a…” read »
- on “Using Tassel Caps”:
“How would you attach a bead/tiny crystal tassel to a tassel cap that does not have…” read »
- on “Wire Wrap a Bail on a Teardrop”:
“I love this. I could make a great pair of earrings with this way of…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank goodness you have examples of how to use your products.That puts you head and shoulders…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“These instructions are so easy. I had followed some others, and they were awful! …” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I've been making these for years, but never thought to glue both overhand sections of the…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I love making stretch bracelets. They are super easy and so stylish. I have not…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“A friend gave me a bunch of beads and asked me to make some stretch bracelets…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank you for the tip , I always wondered how to string it. Very helpful.
…” read » - on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“I love it. Can you use this technique with glass and crystal beads? I'm a fenatic…” read »
- on “Using Tassel Caps”:
“For caps like 42012, you'd have to use glue--either epoxy or E6000 would work. First try…” read »
About this Tip:
Here's a cute way to turn a bead into a charm: wire wrap it with a head pin and pliers!
Components:
The products featured in this tip are listed below.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
|
Step 1: Put a head pin through your bead. |
|
Step 2: You can use chain nose or round nose pliers for this step. I prefer round nose. Bend the wire at a 90-degree angle up from the bead. |
|
Step 3: While keeping your grip with the round nose pliers, wrap the wire over the top round nose. |
|
Step 4: Wrap the wire around the nose, continue gripping the wire with your round nose pliers and wrap the end around the wire. |
|
Step 5: Wrap the wire around as many times as needed to get to the bead. |
|
Step 6: Cut the remaining wire with wire cutters and press in the end with chain nose pliers. |
|
Step 7: Check out your finished charm. |
Designs using this Technique:
Buy Products from this Technique
You are viewing all 5 items.
| Piece | $9.40 |
| Package of 10 | $3.15 |
| Piece | $23.90 |
You are viewing all 5 items.
On Sep 20, 2011 at 10:13 pm #
S Wagner says:I still cannot get the “hang” of tucking in the end of wire, any suggestions out there?
On Sep 26, 2011 at 9:33 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:I use my crimping pliers to tuck in the end. Works every time for me!
On Oct 03, 2011 at 12:26 am #
Jade aka Caryn says:Great idea Lynn. I will try that next time
On Oct 04, 2011 at 3:06 am #
juku7 says:Sounds like a plan, Lynn. Will try it out. Thanks.
On Apr 04, 2012 at 7:00 pm #
DB says:Finally a simple and pictorial explanation! I will definitely use this hint!
On Oct 19, 2012 at 7:08 pm #
reiljreilj says:love all the tips!
On Feb 27, 2013 at 1:31 pm #
stylinga says:Try using bent nose pliers. They are perfect for getting in hard to reach places. Also, the way these are shaped they are perfect for wire wrapping. I use these every single time and they tuck that wire right in without having to worry so much about messing your wire up while your wrapping. Try’em out for all your wrapping.
On May 02, 2014 at 12:51 am #
DreamingFoxStudio says:this is a really helpful technique, thanks!
On Apr 22, 2016 at 8:45 pm #
KittysCrystalCreations says:That is a great idea Lynn. Can’t wait to try it. Hugs, Kitty