Tutorial - little beaded zipper pull

It may be a bit grand to call this a tutorial, perhaps it's more of a suggestion, a way of prettying up your zip containing creations and adding your unique creativity. It's an embellishment idea for a beaded zipper pull.

I like making pouches, wristlets, purselets, zippys or whatever else you'd like to call them and sometimes I get into a bit of a rut with just putting ribbon through the zip pull. Yes - it does look nice and yes, it helps make the pouch look finished but I'm just a little taken with beaded zip pulls at the moment. I think they've a lot of potential if you're making clutch bags or anything which needs to look a bit special, steal attention and say 'want me' . (Bags, I'm talking about - tsk! honestly! :) )

.... I'm using this as a 'stunt' bag - an illustration!

They can add a touch of glitz, glamour and sparkle. Use them to accent the colours you've used in the bag itself.

All you need are a few beads of your choice, and there are sooooo many beautiful beads out there and so many ways you can combine them to make a unquie addition to your zip. You'll need a head pin or eye pin and some tools to cut and bend the head or eye pin with. (.... Oh! and a zip to decorate.:) )

... a set of pliers to cut the wire with, some round nosed pliers to curve the wire over with and something to make sure that everything is squeezed tightly shut so that it won't come adrift....

I used a head pin with an antique brass finish, but you can get them in lots of different finishes and precious metals.

Thread the beads onto the head pin ...

and trim, (using your wire cutters) the pin so that there's approximately 1 centimeter protruding beyond the beads.

Then use the round nosed pliers to curve the remaining part of the head pin around to form a loop - a bit like a tiny fish hook..

... I won't bore you with how many times I lost the seed beads trying to take this photograph.....

Hook it onto the zip pull and squeeze and flattten slightly to secure.

There, one pretty little beaded zip pull - especially to make your bags and pouches stand out from the crowd!

Hope you can have some fun with it!

Comments

[Topcat]

another beautifully described and photographed tutorial - thanks

[maria]

It looks lovely, such a great idea it adds a little va va voom!.
I've never worked out how to insert a zip into the top of a bag. Any suggestions for tutorials or anywhere I might find out how to do it?

[Kitty Ballistic]

Very pretty and effective - love the fabric too.

I have a handy hint for you re: seed bead spillage. If you drop some beads on the floor and can't find them, tell your husband not to walk barefoot near your work area. Dead cert that he'll find them, and let you know (loudly). Also works for tiny pieces of headpin which 'ping' off when you snip the wire, needles, and pins. :-D

[chickadee cards]

Ooh, very pretty bad and pull!

[chickadee cards]

Of course I meant 'bag' not 'bad' (doh)

[woollywotnots]

This is beautiful and perfect for the spring.

[Pips]

Lovely zipper pull and beautiful bag! Really enjoyed reading this tutorial - very clear instructions and great photos!

[Gloria]

Really very pretty and soo professionally done. I love the colour combo's!

[Andrea]

They do make a pretty touch to a purse etc. Go on how may times was it? I useually find them again when I am vacuming the carpet!!

[Dolores Sedore]

Ohhhhhh, this is so nice. So much better than the yarn I was using. I will be trying out the beaded zipper pull next time I make a pouch. I just have to get some of those head pins. Many thanks.

[dottycookie]

Verrrrry pretty!

[Kitty]

It looks gorgeous. You're right - it is one of those finishing touches which make all the difference. x