Even the most frugal beader often comes up with a stockpile of extra beads. It’s hard to justify buying more unless you can eliminate some of your current stash. Here are several ideas to artfully use the overages, so you can indulge in more!

Lampshade Décor:

You can use either wire or tigertail to make a long string of beads to loop vertically around a lampshade. Another option is to drape the string horizontally around the shade. Click on lamp picture to enlarge it.

 To create twists in wire, use a long, narrow swizzle stick, dowel or rigid piece of metal, plastic or wood. Wrap the wire three times around the bottom of the rod to secure it, then add a bead. Twist the wire twice more around the rod, then add another bead. Continue until you reach the end of the rod, then you can remove the strand and stretch it out just enough to loosen the wire a bit, but not enough to get rid of all of the kinks. This adds interest to the strand and also lessens the amount of beads needed to complete the project.

To attach the string to the lamp, hook the wire around the metal frame at the top. If you’re using tigertail, make a loop around the frame and use a crimp bead to secure it. A drop of hot glue will also work as an anchor. Around the bottom of the lampshade, you can hook the wire on the underside or use more hot glue.

Candle Lace: Loop a piece of chain around the top of a cylindrical candle horizontally, then open up one of the links and attach it where it overlaps. Take another piece of chain and attach it to this juncture, draping it downward and winding it around the back of the candle, where you can now drape it upward and attach it at the same central point.

The lower V-shaped strand is attached at the two lowest points of the draped section. Use headpins to string complimentary beads, then make a tiny loop at the top of the headpin using bent-nose pliers. Keep a section of the loop open, attach it to the chain, and close. Add as many headpin sets of beads as you like, all the way around the candle or just in the front.   Click on candle picture for enlargement.

Purse Handle: .

These metal handles are available at Michael’s or other crafts stores but you can make your own.  The  ones in the picture are attached to cigar box purses, but any purse or box that needs a handle can be used. Click on purse picture for enlargement.

Measure out a piece of wire that is twice the length of the handle. Wrap it three times closely at one end, tucking the tail under this coil. Then, string a small bead, a large one, and then a small one that matches the first, and wrap the wire twice more around the handle. Continue until you reach the end of the handle, then wrap the wire three times around the end, cutting it an inch after that and tucking the tail under your wrap. Attach the handle to the purse or box and change the beads as the season dictates!