Kids Crafts Necklaces?

On Wed, 4 Feb 2004 6:05:05 -0500, Otsinekwar wrote (in message ):

The SpiderWire or Power Pro would be a really good balance of economical and quality materials - For something like this, I'd use the 15 lb. test Power Pro. The wires are terrific for more advanced projects, but for a kids' party

- I wouldn't do it. Using wire would require crimp beads, crimp pliers and requires too much of a learning curve for one day.

I'm not in love with screw-on clasps, because they unscrew so easily. You can add a "safety chain" to the finished pieces, so that when the clasp unscrews, the necklace or bracelet doesn't drop to the floor. If you can bring back the screw ends, I'd recommend replacing them with a hook and eye closure, which is really easy for children to manage.

When using the line, you can use a surgeon's knot (like a square knot, with an extra pass of thread on the top knot), or even a couple of doubled overhand knots - after all, these are kids. Put a dab of clear cheap nail polish on the knots for extra insurance. (Wet and Wild Nail Polish is widely available for very little money - usually under a dollar per bottle)

With the age of the kids involved, definitely not. Use the fishing line.

You're going to have to do a lot of hand holding, especially with the little ones, to keep them from being frustrated. I'd have the cut lengths of line waiting for the kids, with half the barrel clasp already attached. If the beads look like they'll give the kiddos the least bit of trouble, dip the end of the line (not the clasp end) into the nail polish, set onto a piece of waxed paper, and let dry. That will stiffen the end of the line to make a self-needle.

Yeah, that happens. At least they didn't chew the earplugs off the line. (Don't ask me how I know)

Kathy N-V

Cheap barrel clasps will cut thru cheap monofilament fairly quickly -- I've been asked to repair kids' necklaces made that way which had broken, and it was obvious (looking at the remains) what had happened. I think fishing lines are more durable, and a better choice for this than beading wire.

A couple of overhand knots should hold the clasps on fairly well. You'll need something like an awl or heavy needle to push the knots tightly into the clasps, and some glue to dab on the knots afterwards if you want to make *sure* they hold. I think any basic household cement will work for this, but you might want to pick up some actual jeweler's glue at a crafts store just to be safe.

Celine

Especially with kids, you might want to think about incorporating a "weak link" (like a lightweight jumpring or something) into the necklaces so that if it gets caught on something the link will break first and the child won't get hurt.

Nia:wen Thanks for the reply. Why is monofilament a nono with Beads? Too strong so danger of strangulation? Too thick, or too difficult to tie?

Thanx

Nia:wen kowa, many Thanks. I was actually thinking of buying some crimp beads to attach the clasps. These necklaces are unlikely to be kept forever or long ;-) more of a time passer for the kids at the party. Then again you never know, another idea my wife had was to have the kids make necklaces for the teddy bears they will also be making at the party. Making is a stretch tho, more like stuffing with fluff and zipping the back up.

What are your thoughts on using the "Super" fishing lines such as Spiderwire? If I'm not mistaken they are braided kevlar and extremelt strong. I've a spool or two of that lying about.

Nia:wen kowa Many Thanks

I think crimping would be tough for little kids with small hands - Stretch Magic or Gossamer Floss would be good stretchy cord to use. Also, pearl cotton or equivelent would be good - and they can just tie knots on the ends. I would not use monofilament - I don't think that's strong enough. I am not really very experienced with children, but I would think that this would be dangerous for 3 year olds - small beads and all can be swallowed. Maybe age 5 and up? Anyway - good luck - sounds like fun! :)

It rots from sunlight.

Tina

It's great that you ar encouraging the kids to make things. Too often we just entertain children. It short changes them.

By the way, what is your language?

Tina

Not only that!! This is why we have delinquints in society IMHO..

We so often underestimate children and doom them to boredom and delinquency..

Mavis

DOH! Nia:wen kowa Thank you kindly, makes sense so that it doesn't remain forever in our waters. never knew that.

O:nen ki' wahi' Bye for now.

Kwe Kwe Hello, my kids LOVE to make beaded necklaces and bracelets, hoping when they get a bit older to start them on the loom too with seed beads. My language is Kanyen'keha, the Language of the People of the Flint, commonly known as Mohawk which is a mispronounced form of an Algonquin word, Mohiak, remember the Algonquin People and the Rotinonsyonni(People of the Longhouse aka Iroquois another Algonquin word misspelled meaning Red Adders) were enemies in days past, Mohiak means "Eaters of Men" I'm told.

If interested in learning more of our language one of the best sites on the web for it is

, my site has some basics on it as well as a children's video in progress. If your the Instant Messager type, check out Monica Lamb's AI BOT Akhsotha(Grandmother) or her page at O:nen ki' wahi' Bye for now Skennen kenhak Let there be Peace.

Nia:wen Thank you, the Crimping will likely be done by me only. The only 3 year old at the party that I know of is my daughter Angelique and we've beaded together along with her Sister several times. Going to be a small party and their Mommy's and Auntie's will be there to help the kids. The birthday girl , Dominique, will be 4

O:nen ki' wahi' Bye for now Skennen kenhak Let there be Peace.

Especially with kids, you might want to think about incorporating a "weak link" (like a lightweight jumpring or something) into the necklaces so that if it gets caught on something the link will break first and the child won't get hurt.>

I always do this if I string a child's necklace on SoftFlex -- How? use a soft silver jump ring to attach the clasp to the necklace - the jump ring will pull open - but the necklace will stay intact...

Cheryl last semester of lawschool! yipee! DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

How about something like Irish waxed linnen? You can buy a roll of it which would be more then enough for a few dollars (try

You can fix the ends to something by tying or even by just rolling it (it's pretty sticky). It should go through pony beads just fine, and is large enough to be easy for young kids to handle. This is what I use to make kids' necklaces I sell (a couple of charms on the waxed linnen). Kids and teenagers even seem to like the texture of it. Not exactly fine jewelry, but that isn't what you're looking for.

marisa2

Ots>

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My DD is not even 2yrs old yet, and an avid beader :-D It is dangerous for kids that aren't properly supervised, or are not experienced with what beads are really for. Kids are so individual, really only a parent (or someone very close to the kid) can judge what is safe for them.

I think crimping would be tough for little kids with small hands - Stretch > Magic or Gossamer Floss would be good stretchy cord to use. Also, pearl > cotton or equivelent would be good - and they can just tie knots on the > ends. I would not use monofilament - I don't think that's strong enough. I > am not really very experienced with children, but I would think that this > would be dangerous for 3 year olds - small beads and all can be swallowed. > Maybe age 5 and up? Anyway - good luck - sounds like fun! :) >

Nia:wen Marisa, Thank you. Trying to keep costs down as the cost of this LITTLE party is starting to get crazy ;-)! My Wife is getting Fairy Outfits for our daughters complete with wands and wreaths etc etc , Party has Fairy's EVERYWHERE! Plates napkins etc.

Thats why I'm going to fool with Monofilament and Spiderwire, already have Spools and Spools of it on hand. Now that I'm home alone as Ista'a ne Ake'nihstenha, Auntie and Mommy, are at a Yoga class and my daughters are with our friend Phyllis and her daughter playing so time to TEST! I think the Spiderwire will be easiest as it's thin and strong! easily tied too. Compared to Beadalon it's pretty inexpensive too. 150 yards about $7 , If I'm not mistaken Beadalon was around $5 for 10-20 yards.

Mebbe it's my Scottish/Mohawk ancestors The McCombre's peeking thru, I DEFINITELY have the Short arms Deep Pockets syndrome ;-)

I feel like Mr Crocker on Fairly odd Parents.....Fairies Fairies!!!!!

O:nen ki' wahi' Bye for now

Kwe Kwe Helen, this is one reason the rubber "cord" I have is nice, breaks fairly easily.

Good and Bad in one ;-) But the main flaw was my girls would STREEEEETCH it over there heads THEN waists till they finally broke! Methinks with the screw together clasps they MIGHT not do this ;-)

O:nen ki' wahi'

Kwe Kwe akwekon, Hello all, just was playing with a few pieces of Spiderwire and Trilene and a thought came to me, will 1*1 crimp beads be sufficient to keep Pony beads from sliding right over them and jamming against the Barrel Clasps? Or should I dig in my miserly pocket and get some of them nifty Brass Spacers I've seen? I'm talking bout the ones that are simple flat circles with a small hole thru the center kinda like Heishi

Hmmmmmm, if I was doing these as a "Ebay" project I'd likely use Paua or mebbe Turqouise Heishi. Dunno bout going that far for kids crafts that are likely to be lost broken within a week

Nia:wen kowa Many Thanks