How To Use Leftover Beads

How To Use Leftover Beads – Don’t Throw Anything Away!

Every beader is eventually left with out-of-fashion beads that they can’t use. You could try selling them at a fair in a bargain box, but in all probability, they’ll be hard to shift. Strangely, people can sense if the stock is stale. Customers’ are looking for new. You'd be better to toss them in the bin and display new designs.

However, in these financially-tough times, you need to consume everything. You can't afford to throw anything away. Fortunately it’s possible to use these odd beads to make jewellery that will sell.

Don’t be afraid to disassemble old jewellery. Unstring the beads and mix them with new beads in a different design. Some beaders do this with jewellery they have brought from charity shops - mixing old with new. Even plastic with semi precious. Also, don't forget to use lots of findings, like spacer beads - these will extend your designs, add style, and make your beads go further.

What to do with leftovers:

1. Separate all your leftover beads into three different sizes and place each size in its own cup.
2. Take any bead at random from one of the cups and lay it out for a necklace on your beading board.
3. Then add a bead from a different size cup, and so on. If the beads are small, add a few, before a large bead – to build uniformity to the design.
4. After you’ve laid out half the necklace length, look at the design and see where you can add spacers or caps to improve the style.

In a short time, you’ll end up with an original freeform necklace!

Bead tablecloth weights
Table cloth or cup weights make great presents, especially for summer BBQs.

1. Take a silver bulldog clip and thread wire through the hole.
2. Loop it back on itself, and slide a crimp over both pieces, pulling it tight to the clip.
3. Squash the crimp flat to hold the wire in place.
4. Thread beads onto both strands of wire and finish with a crimp to hold the beads in place.
5. The weights are then clipped onto the corner of a tablecloth to prevent the wind from blowing it off.

 Other ideas for leftover beads:

• Put individual beads on head pins & make a dangle bracelet.
• Simple loop earrings.
• Put them on headpins & attach a jump ring or clasp to make a necklace.
• Make cell phone charms or key chains from individual beads.
• Make toggles for bathroom light pulls.
• Sell larger beads on their own as lucky charms.
• Christmas tree decorations.
• Make mobiles to hang in young children’s bedrooms.
• Beaded serviette holders.
• Use seed bead to make beady bags.
• Lampshade