For me wooden beads and plastic lanyard cord reminds me of summer camp in the forest. Ahhhh. I can still smell those Eucalyptus leaves! And making something useful brings memories of a joyful summer into the whole year.
The projects here are quick yet satisfying, something to do as a break between other more time consuming activities, or as a great activity to do at a birthday party or barbeque. Your young (and old?) guests will go home with that feeling of satisfaction gained only when one makes something with their own two hands.
Wooden beads are available at dollar stores and craft stores. Lanyard cord is also widely available in the United States, sold generally in spools. In Israel lanyards are made using a round plastic cord which is sold as separate pieces like shoelaces. Jump rings and clips of all kinds can be found at the hardware store as well as the art supply store.
Instructions For Scissors/Key Chain Necklace (top photo):
You’ll Need:
- roughly 20 long wooden beads
- plastic lanyard cord, at least twice as long as the desired finished length
- one jump ring or key clip
How-To:
- Find the middle point of the cord and attach jump ring or clip to cord with a single knot.
- Thread both ends of the cord through the bead by inserting the left end through the bead from the left side, and by inserting the right end through the bead from the right. The two ends have now crossed over each other inside the bead. (got it?)
- Continue as in step 2. with 5 more beads or as many as desired.
- Attach single long beads at intervals by inserting the cord through the bead, and then bringing cord back down over the bead and re-inserting in the same hole. This way ou have essentially tied a knot around the bead and it stays fixed in place. If you prefer symmetry, try to match the intervals of bead placement on the right and left sides.
- When you have reached the desired length tie the two ends together in a tight double knot.
- Optional: before tying the knot slip on an extra bead and after the knot is tied, slip bead over knot for a nice finishing touch.
Instructions For Double and Single Beaded Key Chain (bottom photo):
You’ll Need:
- 12 square beads for single beaded key chain and 10 square beads plus 4 long wooden beads for double beaded key chain
- plastic lanyard cord, at least four to five times as long as the desired finished length
- one jump ring or key clip
Work as in instructions above, and when finished, tie off each cord singly as in project on left, or tie the two ends together by bringing them back down toward the beaded work and making a knot that will be as least visible as possible.
If you are planning to do this project with group do some examples your self first so you’llnow the length of cord needed for your project, and you’ll have some nice examples to get everyone inspired! If you like the look of the items I created then I recommend using either cool colors (blue, green, purple) together, or warm colors (pink, orange, yellow, red) together.
And use your imagination to create something unusual. Think beyond the scope of the projects I’ve shown you and make something uniquely yours! Most importantly, have fun creating summer memories!
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