Eyeglass cords are a must-have accessory for those who find reading glasses a necessity. They eliminate the constant search for where your glasses ended up the last time you took them off, and can accent any outfit, from casual to funky to elegant. Making your own eyeglass cords allows you to customize the length to your own height and neck width, making them much more comfortable.
Instructions
things you’ll need:
Tape measure
Aluminum foil or two 36-inch dowel rods
Masking tape
Scissors
Large glass, metal or ceramic accent beads
Seed beads
.012 diameter cotton, nylon or silk beading cord
Eyeglass holders
Crimp beads
Flat-nose pliers
Prepare Your Work Surface
1 Sewing tape measures can be found at discount stores.
Determine how long you want your eyeglasses cord to be by draping the tape measure around your neck and adjusting the measurement to your comfort level. For most people, the ideal length is between 29 inches and 36 inches.
2 Use a piece of wood or any surface with a long crevice to hold your beads.
Lay out your pattern of beads. If using tinfoil, cut a piece that is two inches longer than your desired length for your eyeglasses cord. Lay it out on your work surface. Crumple the sides of the foil to create a long, smooth channel in the center. Secure the ends of the foil to the work surface by running a piece of tape across each end of the tinfoil to keep the beads from rolling out. If you are using dowel rods, use masking tape to attach them to your work surface parallel to one another with a gap between to hold your beads. Secure the ends with a small piece of masking tape..
3 Use beads from old jewelry to make a cord for your eyeglasses.
Organize your beads in the channel in the order in which you want them to appear in the cord. To keep larger beads with larger holes from sliding off of the finished cord, place a small bead between them.
Beading Your Project
1 The sharper your scissors are, the less your beading cord will fray.
Measure your beading cord to your desired length, plus three inches. Cut the cord.
2 Thread a crimp bead onto your cord, followed by the eyeglass holder. Turn the cord and thread it back through the crimp bead, leaving a 1-1/2 inch tail. Using your pliers, flatten the crimp bead so that it sits snugly against the eyeglass holder with just enough give that the eyeglass holder will turn slightly.
3 Hold the tail of your beading cord against the main length tightly. String your beads onto the beading cord, covering the tail with beads. To create a decorative gap in the beads, string a crimp bead onto your cord and flatten it against the grouping of beads using your pliers. Measure and mark your gap space. String on a second crimp bead, and flatten it at the other end of the gap before continuing in your pattern.
Continue in your pattern until all beads are strung.
4 Let your favorite jewelry pieces inspire the pattern for your eyeglass cord.
Once your pattern is complete, slide on a crimp bead, then an eyeglass holder. Pass your cord back through the crimp bead and through as many beads as you are able. Tug the cord snugly, then flatten the crimp bead and snip off any remaining cording close to the beads.
Tips & Warnings
For elegant, professional cords, choose monochromatic beads (either glass or ceramic). For a funky, offbeat look, mix and match multiple colors and types of beads.
Small bead shops often allow you to buy beads one at a time, which is better for beginners who don’t want to make a huge investment.
Before buying carved wood or irregularly cut glass beads, consider how they will feel against your neck and whether the weight of your glasses will make them uncomfortable against your skin.