ECT TV Episode 19: Making Charms With Unconventional Materials

In this episode of Emerging Creatively Tutorials Television, learn how to make a charm from unconventional items!Also, get inspiration and ideas from some charms that I have made with buttons, keys, rulers and sewing supplies!Here's the video:Here are some photographs of the charms I showed in the episode:How to Make a Charm with Buttons and a Dangle:Episode 19's jewelry making tutorial is how to make the charm above.  You can stack a couple buttons or just use one and you can really dangle anything you want from the bottom.Materials and Tools:

• A couple buttons of your choice.  Shank buttons won't work as well for this tutorial, but you can use 2 hole buttons or 4 hole buttons.
• Something to dangle from the bottom.  I used a tiny key that I painted for this tutorial, in the video I used an unpainted tiny key.  Or you can use any charm like the feather charm I used in the other charm I made in this way.
• 20 gauge half-hard round wire.
• Jump ring.
• Wire cutters
• Chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Bent nose pliers (or another pair of pliers that you are comfortable with)

Step #1If you are using two buttons, stack them so that two of the holes line up with each other.Step #2Cut a piece of wire about 5" long.  Slide the buttons on.Step #3Center the buttons on the wire.  I usually just make a slight bend to find the middle at first.Step #4Cross the wires.  Center the cross in the middle of the buttons.Step #5Twist the wires.  You can use chain nose pliers to make sure you twist it tightly or just use your fingers.Note:  Make sure to keep the button holes lined up at least somewhat while you're doing this.Step #6Hold one wire in your round nose pliers.For a quick tip on how to make your loops uniform, click here.Step #7Bent the wire down around the pliers toward you.Step #8And then around the barrel of the pliers between the pliers and the twist you made.Step #9Take the charm off your pliers and then hold the loop in chain nose pliers.  Continue to wrap the wire around once and straighten the loop so it's directly on top of your buttons.Then continue to wrap at least a couple times.Then wrap the other side around at least a couple times.Step #10Use your wire cutters to cut off any excess wire.Step #11Use your chain nose pliers to gently make sure the ends are not sticking out.Step #12Repeat for the other side.Step #13Open a jump ring.  If you need help with this, click here for a quick video how to properly open and close jump rings.Step #14Add your dangle and you're done!  Now you can attach it to your charm bracelet!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Want to learn how to make your own charm bracelet from creating your own chain to headpins to several kinds of charms?Check out my Charm Bracelet eCourse!