Joining Parts & Attaching Findings

Here is how to turn finished beadwork into earrings, straps, bracelets and hair ties. All the findings are available at any craft store.

Opening a jump ring (the basics)

Open a jump ring with two flat-nose pliers by twisting the two sides front-to-back, not pulling them apart sideways (pulling sideways ruins the round shape). Close it the same way, lining the ends back up.

Open a jump ring by twisting front-to-back; pulling it apart sideways distorts the round shape

Make earrings

Pass a jump ring through a bead at the top of the finished piece.
Hook an ear wire (or clip/screw finding) onto the jump ring.
Make a matching second piece for the pair. For non-pierced ears, use clip or screw-back findings.

Make a strap

Fold the band in half, wrong sides together, catching the strap cord or ring in the fold.
The peyote edges interlock like a zipper — stitch the ends together by passing through the up-beads alternately (the zip-up join). No seam allowance needed.

Zip-up join: the first and last rows interlock like zipper teeth; stitch through the protruding beads alternately

Choose any finding: the classic cord-and-ring, a lobster clasp + jump ring for a bag charm, a ball chain for a keychain look, or a key ring for your keys.

Make a bracelet (sheet-end clasp)

Finish off all threads and keep the first and last rows straight.
Slide one end into the channel of the clasp bar, then gently squeeze it closed with flat-nose pliers (protect the metal with a cloth; a drop of glue inside is optional).
Attach the second bar to the other end the same way.
With jump rings, hang a lobster clasp from one loop and an extension chain from the other. Hook the clasp into any link to fit your wrist.

Sheet-end clasps come in bead-width sizes — pick one that matches your band (too narrow squashes it, too wide lets it slip out).

Make a hair tie (wrap it — before finishing off)

Weave the full band. Don't finish off yet — the join uses the same working thread.
Wrap the band around the cord of the hair elastic so the first and last rows meet.
Those two rows interlock; stitch around with the zip-up join to close the band into a tube around the cord. No extra beads needed.
Finally, weave the tail into the tube and finish off.

Use a seamless hair elastic (no knot, no metal crimp), about 4 mm thick — a knot won't pass through the tube.