|
Beaded Eyeglass Leash Tutorial |
|
Why lose your glasses when you could have a fun eyeglass leash? This simple project is great for beginners and for anyone who never again wants to lose their glasses.
Beaded Eyeglass Leash Tutorial
For an eyeglass holder similar to this one, you will need:
Toho Seedbead Mixes. We used the Lilac Kimono Mix
though you may choose any mix of your liking. We ended up using about half a bag, but depending on the mix you may use more or less of the bag.
Sophisticated Lady Glass Bead Mix. We picked three beads from this mix for the focal beads but any
beads will work.
Beadalon 19 Strand Wire. The 19 strand Beadalon is for lightweight beads and strength but any Beadalon will work for this project. You will need to cut a piece of Beadalon about 4" longer than the desired length of the final product.
2 Sterling Silver 2x2mm tube Crimp Beads.
2 Sterling Silver 3mm Crimp Covers.
2 Sterling Silver 5mm Closed Rings.
2 Sterling Silver 6mm Open Jump Rings, 18ga.
2 Eyeglass Findings. We used Silver Plated Nylon Eyeglass Findings, but you may choose any eyeglass finding you like.
The finished length of this eyeglass holder is about 24 inches (26" with the findings). You can make yours any length you want, but make sure that you cut your Beadalon at least 4" longer than you want your finished project to be.
Tools you will need:
Simple Instructions:
Start with one end of the eyeglass leash:
- Cut a 28 inch (about 72cm) piece of Beadalon wire. This gives about a 4 inch allowance for attaching
the eyeglass holders.
- String on a crimp bead then a 5mm closed ring. String the end of the Beadalon back through the crimp near the end of the wire
leaving about a one inch "tail". Use the crimping tool to close the crimp. Cover the crimp with a 3mm crimp cover.
- String on the Toho beads in any pattern or at random (like we did). The first few beads need to have large enough holes to fit two strands of wire through.
- After about 22 inches (about 56cm) add any focal beads so that they will hang next to the cheek.
- String the remainder of the beads to make the eyeglass holder about 24 inches (about 60cm).
- String on a crimp bead then a 5mm closed ring.
- Bring the Beadalon back through the crimp and about one inch of the Tohos.
- Crimp. Cover the crimp with a 3mm crimp cover.
- Clip off the loose end and tuck it in if needed.
- Finally attach the eyeglass findings using 6mm open jump rings (open them sideways).
Notes:
- Jump rings work best if you open them from side to side. Don't open them by making the diameter
larger - that will just deform the shape of the ring and make it hard to get the ends butted up against each
other.
- The 6mm open jump rings allow you to be able to change the findings if they break - or if you just want to change them.
- For lighter beads it is good to use 19 strand Beadalon but if you are planing to use heavier beads 7 strand Beadalon is fine.
|
|
|
