Waist beads have been a token of traditional West African culture for centuries. For many African tribes, beads are not simply objects. They serve as an important symbol of status or identity. In this cool tutorial, we're gonna show you how to make your own waist beads, inspired by the West African culture we love so much!
Things You'll Need
Step by Step Instructions
1 Cut String
Cut 50 inches of the tiger tail and tape its end to your working table.
2 Design a Pattern
Lay out the pattern that you'd like your beads to be strung. Be creative!
3 Bead Away!
Bead this pattern all the way through to your desired length
4 Attach crimp and lobster clasp
First start by adding your crimp
Then add your lobster clasp
5 Get your crimp in place
Form a loop by stringing the wire through the same crimp.
This will secure the lobster clasp in its place
6 Crush the Crimp
Use the crimp pliers and crush the crimp bead using the slot closest to the handle
You should have a pressed crimp bead that looks like a book
7 Fold the Crimp
Fold the Crimp bead by putting it inside of the first slot of the crimp pliers to secure it
8 Create a Link
Create a link from the jump rings by opening them with pliers and joining them together.
9 Prepare wire for wire-wrapping
Cut 1 ½ inches of 24 gauge silver wire
10 Fold the Wire
Fold the wire around the tip of the round nose pliers molding it to create a key shape
11 Overlap the Wire
Overlap one end of the wire over the other two times, using your finger
14 Secure the Bead Charm
Follow steps 10, 11, and 12 to secure your bead charm
15 Press Wire In
Press on the end of the wire to keep it from sticking out
16 Attach End Charm
Finally attach your end charm to the last jump ring and secure
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