how do you make a keychain out of beads?

Question

I'm wanting to make beaded keychains for my bridesmaids and I don't really know what all I need. I just want them to look sort of like this http://www.creativeheartdesigns.com/images/018.jpg ... also, does anyone know if there are fake lampwork beads available anywhere??

Answer 1

That's not hard at all. It's a charm and a bunch of beads on a straight wire hung from a split ring. Of course, when you get just the right beads and charm, you'll have a lovely keychain.



What do you mean by 'fake' lampwork beads? I don't get that. Lampwork is not, by definition, handmade. You can get machine-made lampwork beads. For a keychain, I'd suggest getting beads with nothing sticking out from them.



First, head for Michaels (or a similar crafts shop) and check out the 'split rings' that can be gotten in large numbers. For under $5.- you can get a pack of about 20 of the 1" or 1.25" split rings. That's the actual 'keyring' part. Check out the charms while you're there. They sometimes have nice ones. You'll also need a pack of 8mm or 10mm jump rings. Look at the beads, too, while you're there. You can get the tigertail wire and crimp beads you'll need at this type of store as well.



If you don't find charms or beads you like there, head for www.firemountaingems.com. It's my favorite beads shop. They're a wholesaler that also does retail. They also have instructions on the website for putting things like this together. You can find out how to use the tigertail and crimp beads, for instance -- complete with photos! Go look through their charms and beads. If you think acrylic beads would be more durable as a keyring, they have some gorgeous ones there, too.



This keychain was made with tigertail wire and crimp beads. For each keyring, figure that you'll need:



3-5 larger beads

4-6 smaller spacer beads (glass or metal)

6" to 7" of tigertail wire

2 crimp beads

1 jump ring, 8mm to 10mm

1 split ring, 1" to 1.25" (25mm to 28mm)

1 charm

chain nose pliers

Answer 2

Michaels has some fairly reasonably priced lampwork type beads, im not sure about the fairy charm, you need beading wire, crimp beads, two jump rings for each, the beads, and a key ring for each. put the wire through thejump ring and key ring run through a crimp bead, then run the other tail of the wire through the crimp bead, with needle nose pliars crimp it, then string the beads on, the other jump ring with the fairy attatched, the other crimp bead, then back through the crimp bead and crimp with the pliars, then clip the wire ends and use some clear jewelry glue to put over the tiny tips of the raw wire so it wont snag on things. when you put the fairy on the jump ring be sure you slightly twist the ring open then back closed rather than pulling it apart or you will have a terrible time keeping it round and getting the ends to meet exactly. its not hard at all, it just takes some practice and the supplies, happy wedding.

Answer 3

http://www.yakscorner.com/stories/craft_beadedkeychain.htm



http://www.beadshak.net/freepatterns/BeadShakF-011.gif



http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=c00036&categoryid=84375



http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/76311/how_to_make_beaded_key_chains.html