DIY bags and accessories with crystals on them
One of the hottest trends at the moment is bags and accessories covered in wildly sparkling crystal beads. From handbags, mobile phone cases, mug holders, key rings and much more. The technique is simple, but can be a little time-consuming if you have a large bag :-)
In this blog post, Charlotte presents detailed instructions on how to make your own bag or mug holder with crystal beads. In the examples, we use square acrylic beads that resemble real crystals as they are lightweight, durable, cheap and fit well together to create a dense surface. However, there's nothing wrong with using round beads or others for a more varied look. At Smyk.dks, we have a large selection of colours and shapes in both acrylic beads, wooden beads and stone beads. Of course, you can also buy both locks and inserts for bags as well as various chain straps from us so you can get started on your DIY project right away.
Go to the mobile bag tutorial here
Go to the cup holder tutorial here
The weaving technique used to make these bags consists of circles. Each circle consists of 4 beads that are sewn together into the desired shapes.
Bead bag with crystals and chain
The following materials have been used for this bag:
1 large bag Acrylic bead square faceted, light grey, 8x8x7.5 mm, 1700 pcs.
Approx. 168 pieces Acrylic bead square faceted dark green, 8x8x7.5 mm
Nylon cord full coil 0.6mm (used approx. 26 metres)
1 magnetic bag clasp, golden brass
1 bag insert, dark brown 16.5x13x5 cm
Approx. 2.6 metres Twisted flat anchor chain, gold-plated steel
2 jumprings open 5mm, gold-plated steel
Sew with about 2 metres of cord at a time.
Further down in the blog post, you will see how to tack the ends and attach the new cord.
This sewing technique consists of circles sewn together. There are 4 beads in each circle.
Start by cutting about 2 metres of neylon cord. Thread 4 beads onto the string and place the beads in the centre of the cord.
Pass one of the string ends through the last bead (opposite way through)... So a circle is formed.
Tighten the string...
Thread 2 beads on the left string and 1 bead on the right string.
Pass the right string through the 2nd bead on the left string (opposite through.... ) all the way through in the opposite direction, as this bag consists of circles.
Tighten the string to...
Continue in the same way to make circles..... Make 15 circles. Now it's time to make the last circle...
Thread 3 beads on the right string.
Pass the left cord through the 3rd bead.
Tighten the thread... Now both ends of the string come out of the same bead at the top, so you are ready to make the 2nd row of circles.
Thread 3 beads on the right string.
Pass the left cord through the 3rd bead.
Turn your work around... tighten the strings...
Pass the bottom string through the next bead on the right.
Thread 2 beads onto the top string.
Pass the right cord through the 2nd bead.
Tighten the string to .... Pass the right string through the bead on the right...
Continue in the same way... Feed 2 beads onto the thread.... make a circle and move the string one bead to the right.
When making the last circle, place 2 beads on the thread to the right.
Pass the thread on the left through the 2nd bead...
Turn your work over. Pass the right cord through the next bead on the right....
Continue in the same way to make circles. When the last circle is made... place 2 beads on the right string.
Pass the right string through the 2nd bead.
Tighten the strings to.... 2nd row is now made.
How to change the lanyard :
Pass the right cord through the bead on the left...
... through the pearl above on the left...
... the right cord through the bead on the left.... Both ends of the string now come out in the same place.
Tie a knot... tighten... Pass one end of the string through the bead underneath.
If there is room, pull the knot into the bead. Pass the other end of the string through random beads. If necessary, add a little glue to the knot. Cut off the excess string.
Cut a new piece of string... thread it through 2 beads (see image) and continue in the same way to make rows of circles.
This shows the width of the bottom of the insert. It corresponds to 4 rows of circles.
Check when the bead bag is the right length. For this insert, you need to make a total of 28 rows of circles. 12 circles for each side and 4 for the bottom.
Now it's time to make the sides. Cut about 2 metres of string. Feed the string through the 2 corner beads (see image) and place the beads in the centre of the string. Place 2 green beads on the right-hand string.
Pass the left string through the 2nd green bead. Tighten the strings...
Turn your work around... Pass the right string through the next grey bead (see image).
Thread 2 green beads on the left string.
Pass the right cord through the 2nd green bead. Tighten the string.
Pass the string to the right through the next grey bead.
Thread 2 green beads on the left string. ... Feed the right cord through the 2nd green bead again.
Tighten the string to...
Now it's time to fix the corner. Thread the right string through the next 2 grey beads.
Place a green bead on the string and feed the other string through the same bead. Tighten the string...
Pass the top string through the next grey bead.
Thread 2 beads onto the left string.
Pass the right cord through the 2nd green bead.
Tighten the string to... Pass the right string through the next green bead.
Thread 2 green beads on the left string.
Pass the right cord through the 2nd green bead.
Pass the right string through the next green bead.
Thread 2 green beads on the left string.
Pass the right cord through the 2nd green bead.
Pass the right string through the next green bead.
.... on through the next grey gem .... and before a green bead on the same string.
Pass the left cord through the green bead (see image).
Continue in the same way to sew on the green beads. Weave in the strings. One side of the bag is now complete.
Sew the other side of the bag in the same way.
Now it's time to make the flap for the bag. Make a square of circles in grey beads. It is 10 x 12 rows.
Cut a new piece of string. Thread a bead onto the string and place it in the centre of the string. Pass one end of the string through the first bead in the flap (the side with 12 rows to be sewn on the bag). Pass the other end of the string through the 3rd bead sticking out on the bag.
Thread a bead on one string and feed the other string through the same bead. This will form a circle again.
Feed each end of the string through the next bead (see image).
Thread a bead on one string and feed the other string through the same bead. This will form a circle again.
Tighten the cords.
Continue in the same way until the flap is sewn onto the bag. Weave in the ends of the drawstrings.
Sew one part of the magnetic clasp to the front of the bag.
The magnetic closure is located approximately 3.5 cm from the edge of the bag. Fireline 8lb white has been used to sew the magnetic clasp in place. Nylon cord can also be used.
Sew the second part of the magnetic lock to the inside of the flap.
Place the insert in the bag. Sew it to the bag if necessary. .... with a few stitches at the edge or bottom.
All that remains is to attach the chain to the bag. You can also make a row of beads as a handle instead of a chain.
The chain is attached or passed through the rings on each side of the insert.
Feed the chain through the 2 rings as shown in the picture.
Here, the ends of the chain are joined together with 2 eyelets. This way of attaching the chain makes the chain double.
Your beautiful crystal bead bag is now complete.
Mobile phone case with crystals and chain
The following materials have been used for this bag:
approx. 700 acrylic beads, square, faceted, transparent coconut brown
approx. 70 acrylic beads, square, faceted, transparent dark turquoise
Nylon cord, full spool 0.6mm (used approx. 18 metres)
1 magnetic bag clasp, golden brass
approx. 1.3 metres Twisted flat anchor chain, gold-plated steel
2 eyelets 12mm, gold-plated steel
Start by making one side of the bag. This bag is 9 rows wide and 15 rows long.
The procedure is the same as shown under the beaded bag.
Make the other side of the bag the same way. Front and back.
Now sew the 2 sides together. The sides and bottom of the bag consist of 2 circles.
Place the 2 pieces next to each other as shown in the picture.
Thread a new string through the side to the left.... the bottom bead sticking out. Place the bead in the centre of the string. Place 1 bead on the bottom string and 2 beads on the top string.
Pass the bottom string through the 2nd bead. Pull tight.
Feed 1 bead on the bottom string... Pass the string through the bottom bead sticking out of the side to the right.
Thread 1 bead on the right string.
Pass the left cord through the same bead. Tighten...
Pass the right string through the next bead that sticks out.
Thread 2 beads on the right string.
Pass the left cord through the 2nd bead.
Pass the bottom string through the bead on the left... and then through the next bead... (see image).
Thread 1 bead on the right string.
Pass the left cord through the same bead. Tighten the string.
Continue in the same way.... Pass the left cord through the next bead that sticks out. Continue in the same way until the end of one side.
Now it's time to sew on the bottom. The thread ends now come out of the bead as shown in the picture.
Feed the left string through the bead on the left... feed 2 beads on the same string.
Pass the right cord through the 2nd bead. Tighten the string.
Pass the bottom string through 2 beads on the right.
Place 1 bead on the string to the left.
Pass the right string through the same bead.
Pass the right string through the next bead that sticks out.
Continue in the same way to finish sewing the bottom.
Sew the other side of the bag together in the same way. Sew one part of the magnetic clasp to the bag.
Fireline 8lb black is used here. The magnetic clasp can be sewn on before the sides are sewn together.
Now sew on the flap for the bag. Thread a string through the 4th bead sticking up. Thread 3 blue beads on the right string.
Pass the left cord through the 3rd bead. Tighten...
Pass the left string through the next bead sticking up.
Thread 2 beads on the right string.
Pass the left cord through the 2nd bead... Pass the left cord through the next bead that sticks up.
Thread 2 blue beads on the left string.
Pass the right cord through the 2nd bead. The first row in the flap is now complete.
Thread 3 beads onto the left string.
Pass the right cord through the 3rd bead. Continue in the same way until the flap is 10 rows long.
Sew the second part of the magnetic lock to the flap.
Attach chain to bag with eyelets.
Your mobile case with crystals is now complete.
Cup holder with crystals
The following materials are used for this cup holder:
approx. 150 acrylic beads, square, faceted, transparent light golden yellow
2 key rings with flap and chain, gold-plated brass
2 pcs. Jumpring closed 6mm, gold-plated steel
4 pcs open jumpring 5mm, gold-plated steel
1.25 metre twisted flat anchor chain, gold-plated steel
Make a row of circles as described earlier. Make it to the desired length. This has a length of 24 rows.
The 24th circle connects the ends. Place a bead on each end of the string.
Feed both ends of the string through the 1st bead at the start of the row. Tighten...
Continue passing one string through the next 2 beads in the last circle.
Tighten... now the string ends come out on either side of the same bead. The first row is now gathered into a ring.
Thread 3 beads onto the left string.
Pass the right cord through the 3rd bead.
Tighten the string. Pass the right string through the bead on the right.
Finish the 2nd row. Weave in the ends.
Attach a keychain to each side.
Now it's time to make the handle. Feed the string through a closed loop... place it on the centre of the string.
Feed both ends of the string through a bead.
Continue adding beads to the strings until the handle is the desired length. For this handle, 28 beads have been used.
Feed both cord ends through a closed loop.
Feed both ends of the string back through the last 3 beads.
Tie a knot.
Feed the string ends through 2 more beads. If necessary, add a little glue to the knot. Cut off the excess string.
Attach the handle directly to the keychain or secure it with an open loop.
Attach the chain to the keyring with an open loop.
Your cup holder is now complete :-)
Don't forget to stop by our bead shop at Islands Brygge in Copenhagen, where we are ready to help you :-)
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