One Step Looper Pliers Review

I love gadgets - be they for the kitchen, my glass, metal or enamel work - I love gadgets; but, they have to be actually useful. And, like cooking guru Alton Brown, I'm not too fond of unitaskers (perform only one task). That is until I found and fell in love with Beadsmith's One Step Looper pliers. Finally, a tool whose only job is to help me make consistently sized, rounded eyepins and fast!

One Step Looper Pliers by Beadsmith

These wonder pliers help you create your own eyepins by creating the loop and trimming it all in one motion. I think we've all seen how and probably already know how to create an eyepin and, over the years, it has been simplified to make it easier on your hands. But, I remember when I first learned how to create a simple loop, it involved a pair of round nose or rosary pliers, a headpin and some very weird hand/wrist manipulations. If you have to create a lot eyepins or loops, this becomes a real pain in the hand.

Well no more! With Beadsmith's One Step Looper Pliers there is no more weird hand movements. I tried the loopers with a few beads on a head pin, inserted the wire, closed the pliers, gave the loop a tee-tiny little twist and VOILA - a beautiful loop was created. I even tried it using plain wire - creating one loop, adding beads and created the second loop and it worked like a charm. I also found that it is perfect for making that first loop when making spirals.

If you have to make a lot of dangles, having consistent loops is critical, especially if they are all for one project. They also make your work will look professional. With the One Step Looper Pliers by Beadsmith, you can now do that effortlessly and consistently.

The One Step Looper by Beadsmith works with dead soft and half-hard wire in sizes from 18 to 26 gauge and are available locally and online (I bought mine at Spring Beads). They retail for $29.95.

Now go bead something.

Beaded Bead Caps

What's not to love about these earrings? The colors are smashing, they have a little (not too much) bling, pearls and seed beads all in a project that shouldn't take but an hour. 

Some lush fringe, herringbone and ladder stitch all combine to dress up any large or focal bead in your stash. Mix and match the colors to create a pair of earrings for any and every occasion.

Beaded Bead Caps
Project by Amy Johnson
Photo by Bead & Button Magazine

Click HERE to get the directions.

Now go bead something.

Drilling Through Sea Glass

Here's a handy tutorial that shows you how to drill through those lovely pieces of sea glass that some people seem to find when walking on the beach. I never find anything like that. I just usually find pieces of dead jellyfish or dried up pieces of seaweed... you get the picture.

But, I digress.

Learning to drill through sea glass or any type of glass or rock for that matter is not for the faint of heart. It involves power tools (a drill - preferably a drill press), but so what! Drills are now available in all sizes, types, brands, power, prices and, yeah, even colors. 

Picture and Project by summerlane for
Instructables.com

The creator of this tutorial even used the most easiest of drill to use - a Dremel - for this project. 

The only thing to the tutorial that I would add is to place a thin piece of wood (like a piece of 1"x 4") or, even better, a piece of dense rubber (I've even seen old flip flop bottoms used) between the sea glass and the plate to not only help cushion the impact of the drill bit, but to also protect the plate. And, although a "dentist's drill bit" is okay, I would invest a little bit of money in a diamond coated bit if I was going to be drilling a lot of  pieces. But, no matter, this tutorial is a good place to start. And, remember practice, practice, practice before starting your masterpiece.

I really like the idea of creating a wearable piece out of a memento you picked up on a special trip. And, they make lovely gifts too.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Word Bracelets

Sometimes, we are all crunched for time, so here is a super easy 10 minute bracelet project using a one word bead and some hemp or embroidery floss (or anything else you have handy) from Happy Hour Projects.

Project and Photo by
www.happyhourprojects.com

She used hemp (don't you just love the colors) and word beads she found at a craft store and voila - a bracelet in probably less than 10 minutes. No special skills needed - all you have to know is how to tie a knot. No word bead, no problem, I think any type of large bead or focal will work and it makes a great anklet too.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Woven Yarn Bracelet

I'm not a big bracelet person, but I do love bangles and the more the better or the larger the better. So, check out this tutorial for a yarn woven bracelet using a couple of basic metal bangles, a bit of yarn and wire, glue and a pair of scissors. 

Woven Yarn Bracelets by Emily for
instructables.com

The technique involves some easy weaving that she demonstrates on the site so with a little practice, you should be able to make these in no time.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Polymer Clay "Stone" Necklace

Polymer Clay Stones Necklace by Maria at
mashiacrafts.com

What a fun necklace this is and so simple to make! So, if you haven't sunk your hands into polymer clay, at least once, this is the project to help you get started.

All you need are a couple of colors of polymer clay, some jump rings and a chain or neck wire and you are set. There is no complicated color mixing - really, so easy you can teach your kids to create them too. And, although you can use any color clay you want, I really love Maria's color choices because they are so cool and beachy.

Click HERE to get the instructions from Maria at Mashia Crafts.

By the way, did you know Houston has a fabulous polymer clay guild that meets right after Houston Bead Society? Well, it does - click HERE to go to the Houston Polymer Clay Guild site to learn more about what they do and all the wonderful projects they create.

Now go bead something.

Rhinestone Friendship Bracelet

I never went to summer camp as a child, but some of my friends did. Regardless, I don't need summer camp memories to help me like this sweet little Rhinestone Friendship Bracelet by the blogger at Love & Rosen. And, my love of fibers is no secret to anyone so for me, this bracelet is a winning combination of fibers and bling.

Photo and Project by Love & Rosen

The thing about this project is that it can be very sophisticated or hippy chic depending on the fibers that you use. I would love to see this bracelet using black floss or even with tans and turquoises with a string of turquoise color beads to wear with my favorite white shirt.

Regardless of what colors you decide to use, it's bound to be a hit. Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.