I have been volunteering at a local mission giving jewelry classes for homeless and inner city women. I had a good supply of leftover beads and thought this would be a great way to use them up and share something positive with others less fortunate then I. I only have about 40 minutes per class and need very easy projects for them. I have done elastic bracelets and bracelets and necklaces using jewelry wire with a clasp. We just did a chain necklace in the back with 2 strands of beads in the front, which was a little too much for them to finish in 40 minutes. Most of these dear women want me to finish their projects (crimping, tying knots, etc.) because of poor eyesight, etc. so I need very easy projects. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Thanks!
detamarie

Dear Detamarie,

Hi!

One of the projects we do at the retirement community where I volunteer, is to make magnetic bracelets using magnetised heamatite and fire polish, or size 6/0 seed beads for colour, your students could string them onto Beadalon and you can finish them off,with a crimp at each end they can be worn either as necklace, or 2 or 3 times round the wrist as a bracelet, and they don't need clasps,.

Love, Jan

Another quick and easy is to put pendants on a cord, then tie the knots at the ends so the length is adjustable. No crimping or pricey findings required.

Do you do any work with polymer clay? In 40 minutes or less it's easy to roll a large bead, use a knitting needle to make a large hole, bake, and string one or more onto a cord to make a simple necklace. Polymer clay is aorund $2.70 for 2 ounces, or sometimes on sale at Michael's for $1.25 and they can make 8 or more quite large beads from one pack of clay. If you select PEARL clay it has mica in it and makes some really neat swirls as you roll the beads.

Thanks Jan and Jilla! Great ideas!!! Jan, do you have a good, CHEAP source for the magnetized hematite? The mission's budget is pretty bare bones so cost is a definite factor. I think the ladies would get a kick out of making their own clay beads, too. I've done a little with PC so am familiar with it. Thanks again for the ideas!!!
Detamarie

Dear Detamarie,

Hi!

Leslie and I usually visit a gemshow in Chicago 2 or 3 times a year and buy beads for the department, there are several sellers there, so you need to compare prices, online try Sandi at Beadstorm, the ones we have are like the hex barrel style on her website:

http://www.beadstorm.com/magnetic_hematite_beads.htm

Fire Mountain have them too and the price per strand may be less, but the shipping can be very high, plus Sandi has a mom and pop business...She belongs to another forum I belong to and is very knowledgeable and helpful.

If your project has a wholesale liscence then you could try Rings and Things, Russ is the owner of that company:

www.rings-things.com

Hope this helps,

Love, Jan[|)][:)]

Memory wire bracelets are easy to make and look great with just seed beads.

Melanie

QUOTE: Originally posted by silvermaid Memory wire bracelets are easy to make and look great with just seed beads. Melanie

I did a class at a local senior center earlier this year and did memory bracelets. The ladies LOVED them, and it was fast and easy - about an hour tops.

Suggestion instead of seed beads if you have ladies with bad eyesight, shaking hands is to use a nice mix of larger glass beads (the holes are generally bigger). Or you can enlist a girl scout troop or teens from a church to go and help string on the memory wire while the ladies lay out the beads in the design they want (my son helped at my class, and he was a God-send!)

Good luck...this is a nice thing you are doing. I hope it goes well!!!

To take it a step further - I was next to a booth at a show once where they were selling the jewelry made by the homeless women, and the proceeds benefited the center. They received lots of donations of beads and components. They actually had a lot of sales just because people felt that it was for a good cause.

Knotted cotton lariats?

Here's an idea a little off the subject...what about the bandana headcoverings with a few slits cut around and beads (large holes...even the cheap pony beads work) Thread on the slits and tie knots so they won't come off...sometimes homeless women aren't able to get good hygiene and this would be a way they could cover their hair in an adorned way....they could also make an old timey jewelry bag with an bandana...simply turn down the amount on the edge to encase a piece of ribbon...thread ribbon thru...put beads on end of ribbon so it won't go back thru...they have a drawstring bag (not sure if I explained it right, but maybe you get the idea)....often times AC MOORE and Micheals will have really good buys on ribbon and bandanas

A friend of mine is a missionary to Uganda. Some of the women there have been successful in making and selling necklaces and bracelets made out of those rolled up paper beads. The ones where you cut colorful triangles out of shiny magazine pages and roll them up over a toothpick (long end first ) and seal them then string them. It would be inexpensive and easy.
Jeanie

Hello,

A super easy way to use up extra beads is to make dream catchers. My mom works in a job with homeless people and they had a craft night and they had made dream catchers--and this sweet lady was so appreciative of how my mom was helping her, she gave it to her! It would be super easy, make a small round frame with craft wire, then use the miscellaneous beads you have to string the beads on & wrap them back & forth in a pattern you like, then wrap the frame itself with whatever--ribbon, faux seude, etc. Then attach dangles or wahtever if you want. For a REALLY simplified version, check out this link:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Dreamcatcher.shtml

http://www.foundationtv.co.uk/f-tips/dreamcatcher.html

http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/nativeamerican/a/blcddreamcatch.htm



Some other craft ideas that would be simple:

http://www.foundationtv.co.uk/f-tips/getknotted.html
http://www.foundationtv.co.uk/f-tips/chopituptop.html
http://www.foundationtv.co.uk/f-tips/pocketpurse.html

Hope some of these help!

alyssa

Also, if you want to send me an email, I would be happy to put together & donate a bead package to send to you for the homeless that you are working with. If you want, please email me and I will get back with you!

alyssa