Charms Handmade Using Polymer Clay, Bead Wire, Crimps, Jump Rings
"Very Pretty! I can see them on hair slides or grips or similar. Or how about wine glass charms for parties?" ~Silverleaf
As a polymer clay bead maker, you are probably always keeping an eye out for ideas on what to do with the beads you make. Polymer clay beads can be easily transformed into charms for hanging from key chains, cell phones and of course charm bracelets.
A common way to create a charm when using flat beads such as the leaf cane bead in the photo above, is to hang the bead from a jump ring. The thicker the bead and the further away the hole is from the edge, will determine the size of jump ring needed to create the charm.
A heavier gauge jump ring (the lower number, the heavier the gauge) will be stronger, but will need a larger bead hole. So keep that in mind.
Another alternative for hanging charms, is to use bead wire and a crimp, like the round bead charm in the photo. This was created using a folded length of colored bead wire. The two wire ends are passed through the bead and crimped under the bead where the two wires stick out like tails. The fold becomes the loop to hang your charm.
I like to use this bead wire charm as dangles for earrings. The colored wire adds interest and the little tails give the bead a playful look.
There are other many other ways as well, to make polymer clay charms using headpins, links, etc. Do you have any questions or ideas you'd like to share about making polymer clay charms? Let me know in the comments section below!
Filed Under: 11: Bead Projects by Comment. 
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Comments on Charms Handmade Using Polymer Clay, Bead Wire, Crimps, Jump Rings
11:35 am
I'm so glad I found this absolutely awesome site! I'm new to polymer clay crafting so this site is just what I need.
Thanks so much for all this valuable information!
11:52 am
I like to use charms for bracelets but just never made really small beads to use for that purpose. Great idea for the small pieces left after a project so it doesn't have to go in the scrap pile.
5:43 am
Funny I was just about to write and ask for 'proper' instructions for making jump rings. Well done Cindy, the collective subconscious and all that!
I can make jump rings no problem and cut them fine, its when I come to attach them (I know about the sideways opening) they always seem asymetrical to me and when I try to rectify the shape I always seem to crush them. I've read about 'conditioning' but I'm not quite sure what it means.
So far I've avoided the issue by making wrapped loops mostly, but I would like to be able to produce beautiful ROUND jump rings and be able to use them as spacer beads or whatever. Any chance of a video??????
7:37 am
Welcome Sonya! Hit the link to your site, what a treat!
Such adorable crocheted chi's (not going to phonetically work that out) and excellent instructions and tips. Especially liked the tips for finding hooks that work for you, and make it easier.
7:26 pm
I agree with Jocelyn Sonja… Glad to have you here! Make sure to travel around the site and take a good look. There is lots here for you to explore!
Thanks everyone for your great tips and supportive comments. I really appreciate them!
5:29 pm
@Polyanya: I'll be adding bits of wire working techniques from time to time in the member's library. I will add your requests to the list.
1:06 am
Thank you Cindy, I'll look forward to that!
12:16 pm
Hello Cindy. Great tips like always. Love this site! Thank you for letting me reference some of your stuff on my blog. I am working on a new line of charms so these tips were helpful. We always seen to be on the same page some how. LOL
Thanks again.
12:39 pm
Thank you for the kind words Susan… and thank you for the reference at your blog about the color recipes. I've just been talking to a member at the library who uses Kato clay and she is going to be converting some of my Premo Color Palettes into Kato color recipes. So look for that. She is starting with the Vol-009 B-series Pansy Flower Palette.