How to make a double loop bead bail for a side drilled hole bead

I have had these beautiful sick green colored beads for so long but couldn't figure out how to make a pair of earrings with them because the holes in them went sideways and I don't really like wire wrapping. Well, I finally figured out a way to hang them and I thought I'd share it with you.

Here are some of my first attempts that I didn't like.

1. I tried to use a giant jump ring, I couldn't make it symmetrical and I chipped a bead doing it.
2. I tried the wire wrapping but just convinced myself I didn't like it.
3. I tried a loop on each end and thought maybe I would hang a chain but still thought that would be too big/fancy.
4. My success!

Here is how I made what I am calling a double loop bead bail.

I threaded a piece of wire through the bead.

Then I bent the wire around the top of the bead and bent the two ends up to run next to each other.

 Then I slid a small white bead over both wires and bent them out in opposite directions.
I then formed loops with both wires so that they aligned next to each other.

 I trimmed each wire loop so that it wrapped around twice.
All that was left to do was link them onto the earring wires.

For more great jewelry making inspiration check out one of my all time favorite inspiration books

1000 Jewelry Inspirations
by
Sandra Salamony

A visual catalog for jewelry, bead artists, and crafters for hundreds of ideas at their fingertips to inspire their own projects.

1,000 Jewelry Inspirations is a stunning showcase of contemporary jewelry pieces that will feed the creative appetites of crafters and jewelry makers everywhere. Become inspired by this feast of color, sparkle, texture, dimension, and clever, creative use of materials. From simple and elegant to beautiful and elaborate “bling”styles, over 1,000 full-color images will be at your fingertips to inspire your own creative projects. An exploration of jewelry-making techniques will help even inexperienced jewelry makers on their way to making beautiful jewelry.

What you’ll find:

Beads and Baubles

Paper and Mixed Media

Polymer and Precious Metal Clay

Vintage and Repurposed

Fibers and Fabric

Wire and Metal

Halloween bead and button spider from the book Artful Halloween

Have you started your Halloween crafting? Well I just did with the super inspirational book Artful Halloween: 31 Frightfully Elegant Projects.

 I have seen spiders made from beads before but I love how Susan mixed it up and used a button for the spider body. Using the easy to follow tutorial in Artful Halloween: 31 Frightfully Elegant Projects I whipped up a trio of spiders that looked great on my black sand zen garden (or inspiration word of the day tray).

I tried a lighter weight gauge wire and different beads so this project is super flexible. I bet probably whatever you have in your stash will work great! I can't wait to make more of the projects in Artful Halloween over the next few weeks to dress up ye old casa for Halloween.

More about the book from the publisher Lark Crafts:

Artful Halloween: 31 Frightfully Elegant Projects

by
 Susan Wasinger

"These 30+ costume, pumpkin, and home-decorating ideas are not just beautiful--they are scary beautiful. From unique pumpkin decorations to a “blood”-splashed dinner-party centerpiece to a Yard Specter made from two poles, a string of lights, and torn, draped fabric, these creepy but stylish Halloween projects will give your home a spooky, sophisticated look . . . with gothic flair!

Susan Wasinger designs houses, products, books, and magazines. Her work has been featured in Metropolitan Home, Stitch, Natural Home, and Piecework magazines, as well as on HGTV. She is the author of several books, including The Feisty  Stitcher (Lark, 2010). She  lives in Boulder, CO."

Beaded wire gift wrap from the beautiful book The Art of Gift Wrapping by Wanda Wen

If you make jewelry you probably have a huge stash of beads and wire. This is just one of the great ideas from the book The Art of Gift Wrapping to use interesting and somewhat unconventional materials to gift wrap a package.

It was really simple. The gift in the book used crystals but I had this fun bright mod polka dot paper so I went to the bead stash and used some light blue beads about the same size as the dots on the paper.

Ss I bet you could do just about any combination of beads and paper that suited your fancy!

All you do is take lengths of thin gauge wire and slide a bead to the middle. Thread one end of the wire through the bead again to form a loop around the bead to secure it in place. Repeat working out toward each end of the wire randomly spacing the beads.

Then wrap the wire lengths around the package.

Like this idea and want more unusual and beautiful ways to wrap gifts? Grab a copy of:

The Art of Gift Wrapping: 50 Innovative Ideas Using Organic, Unique, and Uncommon Materials
By
Wanda Wen
More about the book from the publisher, Potter Craft:

"From organic and eco-friendly wraps to lush and romantic presentations, the more than 50 projects and ideas contained in The Art of Gift Wrapping will remind you that it is as much fun to wrap as it is to receive. Gift wrap and paper expert Wanda Wen knows what it means to give thoughtfully wrapped presents—a talent that has made her and her store, Soolip, a favorite among celebrities and tastemakers. With her expert tips and techniques—and creative vision—she invites you to use natural, luxurious, and everyday materials to perfectly dress any present for its occasion. Whether nestling your gift in a bed of all-natural moss, creating custom packing tape, cascading fresh flowers down a tower of boxes, or simply matching a festive paper with just the right ribbon tie—your thoughtful packages will leave lasting impressions long after the gifts have been opened.

Wanda Wen is the founder and creative force behind Soolip, the Los Angeles paper and lifestyle boutique that is a favorite among Hollywood celebrities and tastemakers and corporate clients. Wen has successfully combined her passions for paper and nature with her background in fashion, launching the unique brand Soolip with multiple extensions and satellite businesses. Wen and Soolip have been featured in numerous publications, including Martha Stewart Weddings, Town & Country, Vogue, InStyle, Elegant Bride, Travel + Leisure, People, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Wen has also appeared on Today, HGTV, the Style Network, E!, and the Fine Living Channel. She is also an expert gift wrapper for Scotch brand and a judge for the annual Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest. Wen resides in Los Angeles with her three children, a dog, two birds, and a guinea pig. Visit her online at www.soolip.com, www.asoolipwedding.com, and www.soolip.blogspot.com."