The Popcorn Bracelet

It's no secret!

I love popcorn!

I also enjoy making popcorn beads!

I made this bracelet to take with me to the Bead and Button Show,

but,

because I was hooked on red and purple at the time,

I didn't take it with me.

So, I just want to show you the bracelet and encourage you to make one of your own.

It doesn't have to be like mine.

You can design it any way you like.

It's fun to wear, too.

Now, I don't have the photos to show you, but here's how you make it.

You are simply stringing the beads on to the beading wire.

I made 18 popcorn beads.

If you know someone who makes glass beads, or if you make them,

HERE'S

 a quick tutorial on how I make these beads.

You will also need 

21 4mm bicone crystals

The amount might vary depending on your wrist size.

You need a clasp.

I love my toggle clasps.

You will also need beading wire and two crimps.

Crimp covers are optional.

Begin by adding 1 crimp bead and one piece of your toggle to the wire.

Crimp your toggle in place.  

Add and alternate one crystal and one popcorn bead until the wire is a fit for your wrist.

I needed to add 3 more crystals before I added the other crimp and toggle piece.

Add the other end of your toggle and crimp it into place.

Optional:  Cover your crimps with crimp covers.

Ta-Da!  You are finished, and you have a fun bracelet to wear!

I hope you enjoy this!!!

Easy Peasy Tutorial - Making Lampwork Popcorn Beads

I haven't written a lampwork bead tutorial in ages,

but at the request of someone on Lampworketc, 

I decided it was time to write a tutorial on making

Popcorn Lampwork Beads.

These beads are very easy to make.

What do you need?

You need glass rods and stringers.

I use white rods and stringers and whatever color of yellow I have on hand.

I pull a stringer from the yellow rod.  It should be about the size of a 3/32" mandrel.

Sorry for the poor quality of photos.

It's hard to make beads and take photos at the same time.

You will also need mandrels dipped in bead release.

I use 3/32" for these beads because whatever I don't use or sell can then be donated to 

Beads of Courage

for the children who participate in the program.

Begin by making a white spacer bead on the mandrel.

See, so far, so good.

Using your yellow stringer, add a good sized dot to your white spacer bead.

Continue to flash your bead in the flame, but do NOT melt the dot.

Using your white stringer, now add 5-6 dots around the yellow dot.

Do not melt into the white bead.

Place your new bead in the kiln and anneal.

Pop!

You've made a popcorn bead.

WoooHooo!

Lampwork popcorn beads = no calories!

You can find them

HERE!