Beaded pins are back in vogue. First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on the cover of a recent issue of Parade magazine wearing three beaded pins.
One great thing about this look is the supplies are relatively inexpensive and easy to purchase. Get some wire and beads ready to follow these quick and easy beginner level instructions to make this beaded fashion accessory!
Supply List
- Package of size 8/0 steel colored glass beads. The beads used in this project are manufactured by Glick® and are available at many different craft stores such as Michael’s and JoAnn Fabrics. Delica® gunmetal color beads can be substituted. Otherwise any round bead that is approximately 1/16th inch in diameter will work.
- 5 inches of gold-filled dead-soft round 20 gauge wire. To cut costs for this project, substitute any 20 gauge beading wire. Available at many craft stores, the gold-filled wire is also available online through Fire Mountain Gems. The order number is H20-1026WR
- Pin back. These are also widely available at all craft stores, both brick and mortar and online.The pin back form used for this project is a 1-inch square piece of copper. Unless it’s cleaned regularly and stored properly, copper will eventually over time oxidize and become a cool verdigris color. The beads selected for this project coordinate well with both the original copper color and the eventual green verdigris hue.
Note: Wearing copper next to the skin will leave a green mark. To keep from having clothes discolored when wearing this pin, glue a thin layer of suede to the back of the pin with a cutout for the locking pin assembly.
Can’t find a suitable pin back? Any metal, wood or laminate shape will work for this project if a locking pin bar is glued to the back of the pin back.
- Quick set glue
- Optional – a pair of round-nose pliers
Instructions
- Thread the beads onto the beading wire. Reference Image 1.Use slightly more beads than it is expected will be needed. The excess can easily be removed when finishing the project. This project used sixty beads.
- Use fingers or a pair of pliers to shape the end of the wire into a circle to keep the beads from falling off the end.
- Form the beads into a circular shape wrapping each circle around the inner circle. Start with the closed end from instruction 2. Reference Image 2. It’s not too late to add beads if there are not enough to cover the pin form. The project has a border of about ¼ inch.
- When happy with the coverage on the pin form and the shape of the circle, use fingers or a pair of pliers to shape the opposite end into a decorative shape. Multiple circles were used for the project pin. Trim any excess wire.
- Glue the beads to the front of the pin back using the quick set glue. Allow to dry per the manufacturer's instructions.
The copyright of the article How to Make a Beaded Pin in Beadwork/Jewelry Making is owned by Maire Loughran. Permission to republish How to Make a Beaded Pin in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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