Skip to Content

Easy Summer Bead Craft

I don’t know about you, but for me Summer is the worst possible time to try and get anything done. With the kids out of school, it’s all about swimming, VBS, going to the park, and trying not to watch too much TV. Don’t get me wrong – I love having my kids home. I just need to realize that every year, 2 1/2 months will go by without any accomplishment whatsoever. (Unless you count happy, somewhat-well-adjusted children.)

So when a blogging buddy of mine asked me to take part in their Summer Blogger Challenge, I hesitated because I knew I couldn’t realistically put together a big project. Then I thought maybe you, my dear reader, might be finding yourself in the same spot as me…plenty of creative energy, but no time to spend on crafts. So I decided to make a project that can be done in very little time, and can even involve kids. (If yours are anything like mine, they want a hand in anything you’re doing, especially if it’s colorful and creative.)Summer Blogger Challenge Header Revised

This is a quick and easy craft, and it turns out to be pretty useful too! We’re making a beaded sunglasses holder that you can easily clip to your purse or beach bag to keep you organized on the go. If sunglasses aren’t your thing, you can also use it to hold your keys, chapstick, or a sample sized sunscreen or bug repellent.DIY-Beaded-Sunglasses-Clip

You’ll need:

  • Beads
  • String or Wire (I’m using wire, but string is just as easy, and sometimes more readily available. If you use string, you’ll probably want to use a needle to make threading the beads easier. If you use wire, you’ll need two crimping beads and crimping pliers.)
  • Key Ring Loop
  • Lobster Clip (Find these in the beading section of your hobby store. They are spring loaded clips usually used for jewelry clasps. I found these cute heart shaped ones, but the basic ones are pretty too. They look like lobster claws, hence the name.)
  • Scissors

Summer-Bead-ChallengeI got all my supplies at Hobby Lobby for about $10, and I probably have enough of everything to make about 6-8 of these chains.

Here’s how to make your own beaded sunglasses holder:

  1. Cut your wire or thread to a length of about 24 inches.
  2. Thread the lobster claw clasp onto the wire or thread, and move it to the halfway point. Double the wire or thread by folding it in half from the clip. You’ll use both ends of the wire to add the beads. If you’re using string, thread the needle onto both string ends.Beading-lobster-claw
  3. Begin adding beads in any pattern you like. The clasp will keep them from falling off the end of the string.Beading-chain
  4. When you get to about 2 inches from the end, stop beading and thread the key ring loop onto ONE of the strings. Tie a strong knot in the thread, around the key ring. If you are using wire, use crimping beads and pliers to fasten the wire ends.Beaded-key-ring
  5. Thread the ends of the wire or string back through as many beads as you can until you run out of string.Beading-crimping-bead
  6. Use the lobster claw to clip the end of the chain to the key ring, around your purse handle, and slide your sunglasses through the key ring.Beaded-sunglasses-holder

Bonus: I thought mine needed a little extra something decorative, so I whipped up a little tassel out of yarn. Here’s how:

  1. Wrap the yarn around your hand about 20 times and cut the end.Tassel-wrapping-yarn
  2. Holding the loops together, slide the yarn off your hand and cut through the bottom loop so the yarn is no longer a circle.Tassel-cutting-yarn
  3. Thread the chunk of yarn through the key ring. Double the yarn back up to make the tassel.Tassel-threading-loop
  4. Tie a knot of yarn around the loops, right under the key ring.Tassel-tying
  5. Wrap the yarn around this knot several times and then tie once more. Tuck the end into the knot.Tassel-finishing-knot
  6. You may need to trim the ends to get a nice clean edge. Tassel-trimming

Now you have a chain with a loop on one end and a clasp on the other. Simply wrap it around your purse or bag strap and grab the key ring with the clasp to fasten it. Drop your sunglasses onto the key ring and head outside!Beaded Key Ring

 

Don’t forget to check out my creative co-hosts’ projects. These ladies really know their way around a beading project!

Summer Challenge Carole

Carole @ Garden Up Green

Summer Challenge Karen

Karen @ To Work With My Hands

Summer Challenge Patti

Patti @ Garden Matter

Summer Challenge CD

CD @ CD’s Country Living

Summer Challenge Jemma

Jemma @ At Home with Jemma

Summer Challenge Susan

Susan @ Momcrieff

Summer Challenge BonBon

BonBon @ Farmhouse 40

 

DIY - Yard Garden Beaded Globe - FARMHOUSE 40

Thursday 2nd of February 2017

[…] The Palette Muse […]

DIY Beaded Hanging Basket: Summer Blogger Challenge - To Work With My Hands

Friday 2nd of December 2016

[…] The Palette Muse […]

Summer Clay Pot Bead Challenge – Garden Up Green

Sunday 23rd of October 2016

[…] off. To Work With My Hands Garden Matter CD’s Country Living At Home With Jemma The Palette Muse Momcrieff Farmhouse […]

Stacey

Thursday 23rd of June 2016

What a cute idea!! You girls are very talented with your beads. :)

Meredith

Tuesday 28th of June 2016

Thank you Stacey! It's fun having the same starting point, and seeing how different each project ended up!

momcrieff

Wednesday 22nd of June 2016

What a creative idea! I NEED to make this. More for my car keys, because I can never find them in the bottom of my purse. The beads are so pretty and I just love this idea!

Meredith

Tuesday 28th of June 2016

Thank you Susan! I agree about the car keys. I think I'm going to make another shorter one for my keys as well!

ABOUT MEREDITH


Creating a color-filled life. Conquering my little world one DIY project at a time. With lots of coffee and chocolate. Albuquerque NM. Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ Facebook