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Flower Pots & Arrangements
 I do a few things with my orphan beads. I put them in the soil of plants to cover the soil, almost like covering the top of the soil with river rocks.
Also, for flower arrangements or water plants, I put the beads in the bottom of the vase along with clear glass pebbles. I have one that has a fish shaped bead it in and people always mistake it for a real fish.
-Lisa Romanowski
Great ideas Lisa, my flower pots will NEVER look the same again. Congrats...$10 BeadBabe.Com coupon is on the wire to you. – Rena
Window Dangles
I string mine randomly with other “eye catching” beads and hang them from a piece of funky coiled wire to make beautiful sun catchers. They are jewelry for your windows.
- Jen
Cool Idea Jen, I quickly made these up for the tip, but will really work on something more creative and funky! I’m emailing your Bead.Babe.Com $10 Coupon directly to you today – Rena
Beaded Belts
I used the orphan beads with wire and twisted them up into “Links” and made a beaded belt. It is like a large size version of a twisted wire and bead necklace.
I also use them to make talismans for different purposes.
- Mickey
Micky, what a great idea! You can make these belts as simple as you want (single strand as pictured) or just let your creative side go wild with multiple patterns or strands. The BeadBugle.com coupon is coming to you! –Rena
Three Great Tips From Italy
 TIP 1. Hatpins. Have a look at mine. Anyone can make better!
TIP 2. I have threaded my orphan beads at random in a rough cord with casual knots. It must be very long, and you can use it as a beautiful wall hanging.
TIP 3. Thread your orphan beads in the ribbons of your gift wrappings on Christmas. Nothing will be more personal than your presents
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I suggest not to forget our UGLY beads: they deserve some good treat: after all ugly beads are often orphan too! I hope my hurried hangings may be of some inspiration for some good and meditated work.
Laura Schiavoncini
Florence, Italy
 Make a cellular phone decoration!
- Mount the orphan bead onto a headpin and loop the end to make a charm.
- Using 8 cm of .019” or .022” SoftFlex or Tiger Tail, thread both ends through a 3x3 crimp bead to make a large loop. Thread the ends through the loop on the orphan bead and loop them back through the crimp bead. Crimp with crimp pliers. To attach to your phone, feed the tip of the large loop of wire through the phone’s lanyard holder. Pull until you can feed the charm (orphan bead) through the loop. Then pull the charm until it is secure.
Happy beading!
-Onye
~Designs by Onye~
What a unique idea Onye, I did have to look hard for the lanyard loop, but it works great! A $10 Coupon is headed your way from Beadbabe.com. - Rena
Low-Cost Wire Wrap Rings
I love my orphan beads, and tell them so often. I coax them to my work table where they quickly become low-cost wirewrap rings that I give as prizes and favours at home jewellery shows. They are also “naturals” for the making of wineglass charms.
Regards,
Thea Kolosseos-Kendis
SPARKLE PLENTY
Good Ideas Thea! Several people have suggested wineglass charms, but you’re the first for a wirewrap ring. $10 Coupon from BeadBabe.com is being emailed to you today – Rena
Unique Bookmark Designs
 I use mine to make napkin rings (which you’ve already mentioned) and bookmarks.
The center is comprised of size 11 seed beads, or bugle beads. They do not mar the pages at all. People LOVE to get these, along with a bookstore gift card.
The bookmark on the inside of the “rainbow” is actually strung on leather. Knots hold the beads away from the center. The ends of this one are crimped with large crimp beads, but I’ve also just knotted the leather and dabbed it with glue.
The ends of the other bookmarks are crimped, and then the wire is trimmed close to the crimp bead. Shawna
Thank You Shana for the very good bookmark designs. I really like the idea of sending bookstore gift card as well, the only thing better is sending a beading book <S>. $10 coupon from Beadbabe.com is on the wire - Rena
 Having Another Party
I use my orphan beads when we have bracelet parties. Off times when persons who are invited to these parties and who make their own bracelets like to add a variety of beads to their creations. This is where the orphan bead comes in handy. Sometimes a single bead will work well with what they are making. Thank you, Erlene Taylor
Have you ever noticed that beaders really love to get together? Whether it be bead society meetings, friends visiting or just some fun topic like this idea from Erlene Taylor. Thank you Erlene, we are sending you the $10 Coupon from Beadbabe.com as well! - Rena
 Clothing Adornment
Lately I’ve been seeing more and more clothing adorned with beads - and it’s typically pretty expensive. You can spice up your own run-of-the-mill clothing by sewing on little clusters of your orphan beads for accent. Try adding a bead_cluster_cu02little flowery cluster of beads at the bottom of a V-neckline, or dots of beads around the neck of a tank top. You can also add some dazzle to underwear this way! For example replace the little bow in your bra with several sewn-on beads. This is a good use of orphan beads because just a tiny bit of beadwork goes a long way on clothing, and you don’t need many (or any!) matching pieces.
Attach some fusible interfacing tape to the back of the fabric before sewing on the beads. This will give some stiffness to the fabric. For thread, you can simply use Nymo
Chris Franchetti
Owner/Designer, Chetti Designs - www.chetti.com
Editor, Bella Online Fashion Jewelry - www.jewelryinfo.net
Thanks Chris for your great ideas! $10 Coupon from BeadBabe.Com is on its way to you via email. Rena
 Hairloops and Jean Jewelry
Well, I do some different things. I make bead clusters on hairloops. They look great on my niece Jordyn’s, ponytail. The one attached is mostly greens -- a few reds and white. She also has a blue one and a pink/purple one.
I also make “jean jewelry”. Something like a zipper pull, I suppose, but to wear on the loop of a pair of jeans. Great for the younger set that like to show their loops!
Holly Lee Howe
www.hollyleejewelry.com
Thanks Holly for these great suggestions. Be sure to check out Holly‘s Bead Scene article by Clicking Here(no link). BeadBabe.Com is sending you a $10 Coupon as well. - Rena
Party Time!
 Have an Orphan Bead Party with the a bowl of orphan beads as a centerpiece. Tell everyone to bring their tools as this will be a fun, “working” party.
Have some odds and ends materials beading wire, cord, beading thread, miscellaneous findings and earwires, seed beads, etc. and let everyone create something special to take home. Combine this with a cookie exchange and you’ll be all set for Christmas and some extra special fun, too!
Here are three other ideas:
- Use as a focal bead for a pendant at the center of a necklace or bracelet
- To make one of a kind napkin rings using memory wire
- Unique button covers nothing says they have to be the same and this could add interest/color to any outfit
Jo Quaglia
What a fun idea Jo! You add chocolate to that party and I’m sooooo there! $10 Coupon From BeadBabe.Com is headed you way. – Rena
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