How to Make a Beaded Wire Bookmark

What you need to m ake a beaded wire bookmark :
20 Gauge Craft Wire
Head pin
Assorted Beads (make sure your have some small enough to anchor the design at the bottom of the head pin)
Round Nose Pliers
Wire Cutters

Step 1 Cut 25" to 28" of wire (a few inches longer for round design). With your round nose pliers, start the design (square, round, triangle, etc) at one end of the wire and continue until the design is the size you want, making sure to leave at least 8 to 10 inches for the center design and top.

Step 2 Bend wire in a back and forth pattern (can be pointed, round, squared off or wavy), leaving enough straight wire at the top to extend beyond the binding of a book and include another half inch for the loop that suspends the beadwork. Bend the end of the wire up and around to form a loop, then bend the loop down so it's at an angle to the flat top of the wire. Make sure the loop is closed as tightly as you can get it so the beaded work won't fall out. Set aside.

Step 3 Create the beaded design on the head pin, leaving at least 1/2" to make the loop that will connect to the bookmark.

Step 4 Bend the top of the head pin so that it's forming a loop but don't close the loop yet. Insert the open end of the head pin loop through the front of the wire loop of the bookmark, so that the loop will connect in the back of the design. Close the head pin loop so that the beaded wire is dangling from the bookmark.

Step 5 Enjoy your handiwork! These make great gifts, especially when accompanied by gift cards to Amazon, Borders or Barnes and Noble!

Beaded Wire Bookmark Tips and Variations

The design at the bottom doesn't have to match the design in the center--if you've made a round bottom, don't feel obligated to round the corners of the center design. It's ok to vary the patterns.

The bead designs can either contrast or blend with the wire color.

Use an eyepin instead of a headpin and attach a charm or more beads or a little ribbon, etc., to the bottom of the beaded design.

Make a larger scale design with beads at each curve in the pattern, then make a big inverted U at the top as a hanger instead of the straight, looped piece, and dangle in a window or on a rearview mirror as a sun catcher.
Resources

Shopping for beads, wire, headpins:

Michael's
Wal-Mart Bead Shops
Tall Mouse
JoAnn's

To Learn More about working with beads and wire:

Adult Ed classes Bead Store classes
Books and Magazines in Craft and Bead shops