Handmade Charms

     I've been seeing all these charm swaps, but I've only just gotten into making mini albums, so this is all new to me. I've had a collection of beads for years, but never did a lot with them besides put them on cards or scrapbook pages. This is a blast! lol Here's the first 2 that I've made.

     I've added a line to the storage bins beside where I work so that I can get to them easily. Again, it's all about functionality...no beauty. If it's tucked away, I forget to use it. I know that I can't have everything out in the open, but the things I use most often, I want at my fingertips.

     I can't wait to use the heart one on a Valentine mini!! My thoughts are running away with me. I have so many ideas that need to come out that I don't know where to start first. :-) It's going to snow tomorrow...so guess where I'm going to spend the day??!! It's time for some hot tea and PLAY TIME!

     I'm not sure what everyone is using for the charms, but I chose to use wire. I just thought it would hold up a little better. I have the bead Stretch Magic, but I didn't like how it tied...maybe I'm doing something wrong or there's a trick to that I'm not aware of. I can't seem to find my jump rings to attach the charm at the end, so I just threaded the wire through the charm and wrapped it around about 4 times before cutting it off and clamping it down so you don't get the sharpe edge. I then just slid the beads down the wire the way I wanted and repeated the wrapping process at the top onto a Eagle Claw Barrel Swivel w/interlocking snap (you can find these in the fishing section at Wal-Mart).