Multi-layered Bead Cap Beads

I've been working on Friendly Plastic beads over the weekend - gorgeous colours..... blue, turquoise and gold - colours that work so well together. 

But when I came to assemble the beads into a bracelet, I had nothing in my stash that worked—my gold beads were too bright and brassy-looking, and my blues were all the wrong shade. So it was time to get creative and think outside the square.

 
And this is what I came up with: use the bead caps I'd used on the Friendly Plastic beads to create my own matching, multi-layered gold beads. Here's what I did.

I gathered a variety of bead caps, beads and of course, eye pins. An inexpensive way to get a selection of bead caps is with one of these bulk mixes that contain an assortment of sizes, shapes and textures.

I decided on this combination: a smooth gold metal spacer bead, a pointed bead cap to add height, and a filigree bead for texture and visual interest. The red bed is simply to keep the two filigree bead caps in place. It's slightly visible when the bead is assembled, so you'll need to coordinate it with the beads you're using.

Assemble the beads and caps in the order shown, then reverse the order for the other end.

Hold the eye pin in your flat nosed pliers close to the end of the last bead and bend it at a 90° angle...

then turn a loop using round nosed pliers.

And voilà, a very unique, one of a kind bead that matches the bracelet perfectly!

EXPERT TIP!

If you find your bead isn't sitting quite right, add a few dabs of a metal jewellery adhesive to the bead caps - something like Beadalon's Bead Fix Gel or Beacon's Glass, Metal & More will do the trick!

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Happy Jewellery Making!

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