Wine glass charms are so simple to make, you could make your kids do it! Unless you’re particular about the outcome.
Seriously, though, if you made a macaroni necklace in kindergarten, you can make wine glass charms for home accents, party favors, gift giving, or just as a great way to extend the theme of a party.
All the supplies you need (and there aren’t many) you can get in any craft store or online retailer of bead crafting supplies. You’ll need to buy a set of charms, beverage rings (these are sometimes called glass markers or goblet rings) and beads in coordinating colors.
Charms
Any cheap charms will do. In fact, they don’t have to be charms at all. I’ve also bought novelty buttons. Shank backed buttons are the easiest to use, just attach through the loop on the back. For flat buttons, either twist a piece of wire or a head pin around and make a loop at the top for the beverage ring to go through. Button retailers also sell small plastic shanks that can be glued to the back of a flat button to make a shank (loop) backed button.
Other places to look for charms are online bead and craft suppliers, jewelry suppliers and in the craft aisle where you purchase your beads. Charms have become popular and widely available in a large range of prices with the spike in popularity of beading, jewelry making and scrap booking. Often, you will find sets of four to six charms that are all coordinated but different. These work perfectly for your wine glass charms.
Sets of identical charms can be used as well. This is especially beneficial if you are using the charms as party favors your guests can keep. You may find buying identical charms in large quantities is cheaper, too. If you are using identical charms, it will be the color of the beads on the ring, rather than the charms, that allow guests to identify their glass, so plan for many different colors of beads. Beads can be bought in packages of individual colors or, depending on how many colors you need, you can buy one container of multiple colors mixed. Buying this way is helpful because the colors are already coordinated.
Beads
Other than determining whether to buy beads in one color or multiple tones, there is little to know about buying beads. Plastic, glass, metal or wire, any type of bead is appropriate. It matters only that the beads look good to you. Each bead has its own benefit. Plastic beads are the least expensive, but are often large and somewhat gaudy; sometimes, though, a little gaudiness is called for (like Halloween). On the other hand, there are many beautiful looking plastic beads that you would never suspect of being made from plastic. Glass beads cost little more than plastic (often there is no difference at all) and offer a little classier, jewel-toned shine to your project. Beads are made from many materials. Choose what you like to go with your charms.
The most important thing to consider when buying your beads is the size of the opening. You need to be sure the beads will fit onto the wine glass rings without too much difficulty.
Tools
To craft wine glass charms, you do not necessarily need any tools, but having a pair of jeweler’s pliers or needle nose pliers on hand will be helpful. Depending on the kind of rings you buy, you may need to loosen one end to make it easier to slip the beads on, or tighten the closures so beads don’t fall off the completed project.
Crafting
Crafting your wine glass charms is simple. Before you begin, decide on the color and number of beads for your rings. Think about whether you like an alternating pattern of beads, or if your just prefer to use one color. Remember you will need the same number of beads on each side of the charm for an even wine glass ring. Once you have figured this out, put half of the beads in the proper order on the ring, slide on the charm, and finish the pattern on the remaining side. That is all there is to it. You are ready to enjoy your charms and your guests.
Wine Glass Rings As Gifts
A unique handcrafted set of wine glass charms can be a great gift all by itself or given with a nice bottle of wine for housewarmings, wedding, birthdays, office parties, hostess gifts and of course, holidays.
As a simple way to display your crafted charms, use a piece of card stock, inside of a blank card or index card. Arrange the charms on the card and tape across them with a piece of clear scotch tape. For something a little dressier, use a small hole punch, punch two holes where each charm will mount, and tie the charms with a nice piece of small ribbon. Your charms are ready to add to a gift basket, or tuck into a card.
Wine glass charms can be used to express any number of themes and interests. Wine glass charms can be used to add life to a party or as a solution to a tight gift giving budget. Your guests and recipients will especially appreciate knowing you took the time to make them a unique gift with them in mind.
Reference:
- www.goldenblossomhoney.com/amazingfacts -Honey Facts; www.cierracandles.com -candle supplies
