Blogger's Challenge and a Bead Tutorial

This week's Blogger's Challenge is a color combo: red, white and blue.  Of course I immediately thought of the 4th of July and firecracker.  I'm not sure I pulled off the "firecracker", so I'm telling you, "This is a firecracker".  LOL!!  And, as promised, I have a quick tutorial on how to incorporate beads and staples on your projects.

  Does it look a firecracker to you?  I sure hope so!

First, you need small glass beads like the Duo Beads Stampin' Up! sells.  I used the Blue and the Red on this card.  You also need staples and you will notice that I slightly straightened one end of the staple.  This makes it easier to get the beads on.

Put a few beads into the palm of your hand.  Then take the staple and "pick up" a bead.  Repeat until the main part of your staple is full (about 5 beads).  The long tube beads do not work well for this project.  Use just the round beads.

 Here's what  your staple will look like after you add the beads.  Notice that I bent the side that I had slightly straightened earlier.

Next lay your staple where you want the ends to go.  Use a needle and punch tiny holes (the Paper Piercer holes are too big) for your staple.  Push the staple ends through the holes you created.

Carefully turn your card stock over and push down the ends of the staples.  If you want, place a piece of Scotch Tape over the ends.

Now finish your card.  Here's a close up of the beads on my card.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you need to purchase the Duo Beads so that you can use this technique, email me.  Order several of the colors and you can make a "rainbow" on your staples!

Thanks for the visit!!

Comments

[Lynn Mercurio]

Oh my...what a clever way to attach beads to a card. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. You're card is absolutely fabulous...love the firecracker!

[Robin Merriman]

Super idea with the beads - now I have to add some to my next order! Enabler!

[Connie]

Cute! Yep...it looks like a firecracker! I need to remember to show my customers that bead trick we learned at Leadership...thanks for the reminder!

[Chris Dickinson]

WONDERFUL! Love the beads. Great added touch! TFS!

[Lisa Somerville]

Neat idea to incoporate the beaded staples - great tutorial!

[Tara Kieniner]

Neat tutorial...thanks for sharing. Love your card too!

[Barb Hardeman]

How delightful and a tutorial to boot! What a very cool idea, and I think the doo look like firecrackers!

[Elizebeth]

This is so cute, definately a fire cracker!

[Tammy Hershberger]

How cute is that??? What a terrific idea! And yes, it absolutely looks like a firecracker! Great job, and thanks for sharing!

[KimberlyG on SCS]

Great card Sheryl! Thanks for sharing your very clever way to attach the beads with staples! :D

[Kim Howard]

I think your firecracker is darlingand how creative!

[Nikki]

This is beautiful! And thanks for the bead tutorial...how clever! {SMILES}

[Amy Caraluzzi]

This is terrific! I still haven't tried the beaded staples yet...you've inspired me!

[Lori]

Very creative! Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us.

[Ida]

Fabulous idea! I would have never thought of using beads and staples together. How fun that you used them to create a fire cracker for your card.

[Lisa B.]

Thanks for the tutorial! I love how you did your firecracker! Just simply a wonderful card!

[Beckie Carlson]

Cool card and idea! Thanks for sharing!

[Toni]

Thanks for the instructions Sheryl. Great card!

[Gerrie]

Yep yep yep, I see a firecracker! fer sure....and the beads on the staples...how clever is that GF!

[Martha]

What a great idea. I never would have thought to use staples like that to hold beads not to mention it opens up a whole realm of possiblities. Thanx for sharing!

[Jac-ee]

How cool! Who comes up with these ideas?