Making Magical Accessories - Pin It!

Part 2 of Making Magical Accessories!

While searching the jewelry section of our local Michaels, hubby and I brainstormed this cute little craft.   It can be a fun way for children to Earn their Ears (see post), a handy way to pin important information to your child in case they get lost (phone number, name) or a one of a kind accessory for your park tote or diaper bag.

Magical Pin:

Supplies: 

• Bead Landing, 2.25 inch pins – These pins are nickel free and come in a 5 pack for $2.99 at Michaels.
• Bead Avenue, Square Black Alpha Blocks – The black alphabet letters are from Bead Avenue and were on Clearance for $.79 at Michaels, what a bargain!  For the white heart beads see Part 1 of the Making Magical Accessories.

Decide if you want just a single pin with letters or multiple pins to form a phrase or several words (like above).  Plan out your beads first, then place them on the pins.  If you are making a phrase (like above), string the pins onto a single pin and place beads in between.

As is, your creation can be pinned to a strap of a diaper bag or purse.  If you want to pin it to clothing or a flat surface, securely attach a Bead Landing Bar Pin.  Bar Pins are sold in variety packs and can be attached to anything to make them a pin.  I attached the heart beads on my creation to the Bar Pin and made sure it was securely attached.  Feel free to use hot glue if you are nervous it will fall off.  The pack of Bar Pins ran be $2.99 at Michaels and included over 26 different pin backs.

As a side note, my bag is from a company called Initials, Inc.  I love that their personalization is Free.  The only thing you have to beware of is that you can't personalize with anything trademarked.  But you can get creative with phrases like "WDW 1971" or "Got Ears?" as I did above.

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Make Your Own Bead:

Want to make your own beads for your pin or necklace?  It is so easy to do with Polymer Clay.

 

 

Supplies: 

• Craft Smart, Polymer Clay  – The 2 oz packages of Craft Smart Polymer Clay come in a variety of colors.  I selected black and red and purchased them for $1.49 each at Michaels.

To make the Mickey Ears:

1. Roll 3 separate balls of clay, one large (the head) and two small (the ears).
2. Push a pin or toothpick through the head to create the hole for the bead (so it can be strung on a necklace or a pin).
3. Place the two small ears on top of the head to see how they look.  Be sure they align right with the hole you created.  If the ears do not look quite right, try making them larger or smaller until they look like Mickey.
4. Be sure the ears are pushed securely onto the head or add a small amount of clay between the ears and head to help.  This may take a little trial and error.  If the ears are not secure, they may fall off after baking.
5. For Minnie's bow, flatten a piece of red clay.  Use a toothpick to trace a bow out of the clay (cutting all the way through).  Mold your bow until it looks just right.

Don't forget that it shouldn't look perfect.  Handmade is not perfect and the imperfections add character to your piece.  Also, don't be afraid to test and try and retry and try again.  You will need to get use to the clay and different methods may work for you.

Follow the directions on the Polymer Clay for baking and let the items cool before touching.