DIY Network

Stick Beads Sticks and stones...make cool jewelry. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-111

Strut your stuff with sticks you turn into jewelry.

Money doesn't grow on trees—but jewelry does, especially in Michele Beschen's yard. The B. Original host can make interesting jewelry out of just about anything, and that includes plain, simple sticks.

She shows how to turn run-of-the-mill sticks into beads that form the basis for cool rustic jewelry in this easy how-to. It's one more way to make something beautiful from everyday items.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Materials:

sticks
vise
rotary drill with small drill bit
pruner
paint
eye pins
needle-nose pliers
jump rings
jewelry clasps

• Choose dry, solid sticks for your beads (figure A). They should be thick enough to drill through lengthwise with a narrow bit, but not so thick they'll look clunky as jewelry. Look for sticks with straight sections at least 1½" long.

• Cut your sticks into segments (figure B). Start with pieces about 1½" long; you may want to try different sizes later.

• Spray paint your sticks with high-gloss paint. Michele Beschen painted hers black for this project.

• To make a bead, clamp a stick segment in the vise and use a rotary drill with a small bit to drill a hole lengthwise through the center of the stick (figure C).

• Insert an eye-pin (figure D) through the hole so that it comes out the other side. Use the needle-nose pliers to curl the sharp end of the pin, giving you a loop at both sides of the bead.

• Repeat the process for the other beads until you have enough to craft a piece of jewelry.

• Use jump rings to attach the beads to each other,
  adding rings as needed (figure E). You also can thread glass beads onto eye pins and attach them to the piece (figure F).
  

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

  Once your piece is the desired length and you're happy with the design, add a jewelry clasp and show off your new creation!