Small beads

Isobel
by Isobel
I have thousands of teeny tiny colored beads [size about 2 to 3 mm] that I don't know what to do with. Got them from a friend whose daughter bought them in bulk for one or other project, but never used it.
Advice will be much appreciated, as I really want to do something with them?
  10 answers
  • Bron Bron on Nov 27, 2016

    I don't know what to do with thousands of beads but you could use a few of them to decorate glass candle holders, or photo frames.

  • Pam Pam on Nov 27, 2016

    When my daughter was in kindergarden, we went to a craft store and bought several beeds as you described, a plain small white tin bucket, and craft glue. We put the craft glue onto the tin and gently sprinkled the beads onto it. We did this section by section allowing the beads and glue time enough to dry so they wouldn't roll off. It dried quite quickly actually so it didn't really take much time at all. It is quite easy to draw on the tin if you want to do shapes or seperate by color. Even if the beads are a mixture of color it would still work. We ended up buying small post-it's, pencils, paperclips, a small kleenex pack,etc., as kind of an emergency supply kit.

    This could be any of several type gift packs that you may need or even a sampler tin for cocoa, coffee, chocolates, etc., that you may come up with.

    My daughter is now in her first year of college so I don't remember all of the specifics but I think it was around Christmas time and was probably a gift for that because I remember using red and pearl colored beads. Because it's been so many years I have no idea where a picture of it would be but you might also want to try a search on pinterest, they may have ideas there as well.

    Good luck! I look forward to seeing what you decide to do and maybe you'll give me an idea for the several beads I still have in my craft collection of supplies to use!

    • Isobel Isobel on Nov 27, 2016

      Wonderful ideas that you passed on to me, Pam - thanks SO much, especially since my grandchildren will also look for something to keep them busy if out weather at the sea is not so good! So all I need to buy is craft glue, and voila! Really appreciate your input, I wish you could see the beads and get an impression on how many I have ...

  • Sue Sue on Nov 27, 2016

    Do they have holes? Obvious (too simple) answer is thread them for lots of jewelry. Multiple long necklaces, make a knot with all chains, cover with a coordinated gudy pin, or more, an you have a statement necklace. Also, if you entertain, always need ore wine glass identifiers; different colored beaded stem bracelets with any bauble or charm on the end.

    • See 1 previous
    • Isobel Isobel on Nov 27, 2016

      I wanted to give them to charity organisations to use at old age homes or special schools, but seeing that they are so very, very small everybody said that the persons won't be able to get the strings through, otherwise they would have taken it!

  • Lisa Cain Lisa Cain on Dec 12, 2016

    Valentines is around the corner. Put glue in the shape of a heart on a piece of wood or small canvas, the sprinkle the beads onto the glue, let dry and then scrape off the rest of the beads outside the heart. Add some initials somewhere on it (i.e. A + C) and you have your own little valentine to give.

  • Janine Bartram Janine Bartram on Dec 13, 2016

    If they are plastic to can cover the hollows in cup cake or muffin trays and bake in the oven until all melted together. Turn out when cool and drill a small hole in from the edge and hang as sun catchers or wind chimes

    • See 1 previous
    • Isobel Isobel on Dec 15, 2016

      What a wonderful idea, Janine - at what temperature would one melt the beads, and do I have to spray the trays with oil at all?

  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Dec 14, 2016

    Does anyone remember "love beads"? long strings of seed beads looped around neck or wrist.

    I have lots of these beads too. Just got an interesting shaped bottle from a friend. Was thinking of stringing up a lot of these then criss-cross the beads on the bottle and glue down. Filled with colored water could make a nice candle holder.

    Strings of them could be used as base for a crown, with some flowers attached.

    Get a paper towel tube, push tooth picks through tube and glue ends, trim excess. Or I thought about using metal wire like for jewelry making. Cover outside of tube with paper, duct tape, or material. close off one end and fill about 3/4, with rice or beads. Makes a soothing sound when rocked back and forth.

    • Isobel Isobel on Dec 14, 2016

      WOW, thank you Deanna - really easy-to-make ideas you gave me! Will try this, especially the candle holder could work for me. Appreciating your input!

  • Joy McAuley Joy McAuley on Dec 14, 2016

    See if Native American residents can use them for tribal dress.

    • Isobel Isobel on Dec 15, 2016

      Unfortunately I am far, far away from America, Joy - I live in South Africa!

  • 62q10370829 62q10370829 on Dec 14, 2016

    You can make Christmas decorations out of them & see if the school by you have school Christmas sales & give to school to sell so the kids can go on field trips or what ever they are raising money for. Good luck.

  • Sal3170064 Sal3170064 on Jan 09, 2017

    Use them as you would mosaic.

  • To Work With My Hands To Work With My Hands on Jan 09, 2017

    Here's a project I made last month using beads. You could make a whole forest of Christmas trees with your beads!  http://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/christmas/beaded-christmas-trees-made-from-couch-springs-26082033

    You can also use them to decorate hanging baskets, like this: http://www.toworkwithmyhands.com/2016/06/diy-beaded-hanging-basket-summer-blogger-challenge.html


    Just get some small jewelry wire for either of these projects and wrap that around the "base" wire in each of them. Those smaller wires are pretty flexible. Hope this helps!