Jewellery School - A Bead Caddy Spinner

When threading numerous mini beads onto a beading wire, a bead caddy spinner is a useful and quick tool. Insert a beading wire through the end of a beading needle, spin the bead caddy spinner by turning the lever in the middle and the needle will fill with beads automatically.

1. Cut a piece of beading wire measuring approx. 70cm. Squeeze the beading wire flat at the end so that it can easily go through the eye of the needle.

2. Fill the bead caddy spinner with rocaille beads (preferably lots).

3. Insert the needle into the spinning beads in the opposite direction of the spin.

4. Turn the lever in the middle with your left hand clockwise and hold the needle as shown with the hook to the left and the needle will automatically fill with beads.

5. Push the beads from the needle onto the wire. If a bead is stuck on the needle or wire, crush it with flatnose pliers.

Christmas Decorations you can make yourself: Weaving Paper Strips

1. Weave a base using 8 x 8 paper strips. For a basket measuring 11 x 11 cm use the wide paper strips.

2. Glue as shown in the photo and cut off excess strips.

3. Fold along the two outer layers of all four lengths.

4. Punch holes with a fiskars eyelet setter in all four corners as shown in the photo.

5. Set eyelets.

6. The basket gets its shape by gathering all the corners with organza ribbon.

The Robots’ Universe

These are lifelike robots made from cardboard boxes, plastic pots, flexible cord and modeled with silk clay. They are decorated with craft paint and beads.

1. Make a hole in two plastic tubs for the feet. Then make holes in the box for the arms and legs.

2. Make the legs from flexible cord with self-hardening clay feet.

3. Then attach the arms and the legs onto the body of the robot (the cardboard box) with a glue gun.

4. Make the head and other loose parts in silk clay.

5. Glue on the head using the glue gun.

6. Paint the robot with craft paint. Give it two coats to give it a great finish.

7. Finally decorate the robot with beads and rings with a silver finish.

8. The finished robot.

Robot variants

Of course you can make your own robot, just as you want.

The possibilities are endless.