Spare Ribbon

Hair Barrette

This pearl hair barrette is easy and fast. This cute clip can add style to any outfit. It is a simple craft that can be worn by you or a fiend.

Materials: 2 inch barrette, pearls (color of your choice), clear wire ( I used something very similar to a fishing wire so that you wouldn’t see it, and scissors.

Step One: Create a knot at one end of the wire so that the pearls will not fall off.

Step Two: Cut about 10 inches of wire (you want enough to string the pearls and then some).

Step Three: String the pearls onto the wire, I had enough room for about ten pearls.

Step Four: Once you have added your pearls, knot the other end to prevent the pearls from moving. Though you knotted the end of the wire, do not cut the excess wire off.

Step Five: Take the extra wire and wrap it in between each pearl so that it is secured. If you flip the barrette over (looking at the underside), the wire should create an “X” shape. Note: Please see photo below for a better understanding.

Step Six: Knot the wire once again, hiding it on the underside of the barrette. Your barrette should be complete!

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Pearl Bracelet

Sometimes you just can’t find that bracelet you are looking for. Or when you do it’s outrageously expensive. Why bother searching for that beautiful pearl bracelet when you can make your own?

Materials: At least 32 inches of white pearls, 20 3-4 mm gold or brass faceted beads, crimping pliers, cutters, 4 strand gold or brass slide clasp, 40 inches of thin beading wire (I used .014), and 8 gold or brass crimp beads. Tip: You may want to buy the what’s called Stretch Magic. This is a type of wire that will expand so that you do not need a clasp.

Step One: Cut your wire into four ten inch lengths.

Step Two: Each piece of wire must be attached to one end of the prongs on one half of your clasp.

Step Three: Take a brass or gold bead and slide it onto each strand and push it up to the clasp. This will create a row of your beads (brass or gold) on the bracelet.

Step Four: Take your pearls and string them on all four strands of the wire. Make sure you mix three brass or gold beads onto each strand to create a pattern. Hint: Maybe you want to add a brass or gold bead every ten pearls.

Step Five: After about 7 1/2 inches of length on each strand of wire, add the last four brass or gold beads at the very end.

Step Six: In order to make sure your strands do not come apart, add some tape at the end. This will prevent the beads from coming off the wire.

Step Seven: Take a crimp bead and secure it to the other half of the clasp. Lastly, you want to make sure your bracelet is secure and can move around your wrist. Once you’ve tested the bracelet you can secure the last crimping beads.

Step Eight: Cut any left over or excess wire from the bracelet.

Tip: Because I am unable to video tape myself. I have listed a great You Tube Video with very similar steps. The video is not for a four strand pearl bracelet, but it will aid in the bracelet making.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJEDlk86Ll4

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