As promised...

So, I have finally taken all the pictures, and now I just have to write out the tutorial for making Stitch Markers.  I will also be selling these in my Etsy Shoppe, and I think I'll have a give-away for a set of Stitch Markers, for those not interested in making their own.  Because I mean, those people do exist.  Heh.

Here's where we start.  Gather your supplies:

The wire cutters and the beads shown above will be different in the following pictures.

You will need:

• Fox-tail beading wire
• Two different types of beads (one focus bead, and two each of a smaller bead)
• Crimp-beads (not shown)
• Wire cutters
• Crimp-pliers (necessary for crimping the crimp-beads)

Step 1:

Grab a small section of the beading wire and hold onto it.  I usually leave the length of it attached to the spool.  This way I waste much much less of it in the long-run.

String a crimp-bead, one of the smaller beads, your focus bead, and another of the smaller beads onto the beading-wire.

Create a loop in the wire, by sliding it back through the tops of each bead.  Just be careful not to pull the loop completely closed, because you will have to scrap it and start over.  It will cause a permanent kink in the wire.

Slide the wire all the way through, and out the end of the crimp-bead.

Now, using the crimp-pliers, press on the crimp-bead, closing it around the beading-wire.  On most crimp-pliers, there are two indentations.  You want to use the one that is smooth on one side, and serrated on the opposite side.  This will put the correct crimp in the bead.

Now the bead is crimped, and the wire will not slide around and/or out of any of the beads.  Your Stitch Marker is secure.

Next, you want to clip the ends of the wire.  I stop about 1/16th of an inch from the crimp-bead.  I don't creep closer, because I don't want to accidentally cause the crimp-bead to fall out.  Experiment, and find what works for you.

And here you go!  All three of the Stitch Markers ready to go.  I like having a set with one "different" bead to use a beginning of round marker.  

Alright, there you go!  Hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  Come back later -- possibly today, maybe tomorrow -- for the giveaway!  For those not interested in making their own.  Or anyone else who wants cute free stuff.  Sign me up!  Oh, wait...I made these.  Guess I can't be part of the give-away, can I?  Dammit.

Alright.  Enjoy your Friday night.  Jon and I are going to see Hunger Games and to dinner.  Hope you have fun plans, too.

Happy Friday

~j.b.