There are times I get stuck in a crafting rut and have a hard time coming up with new ideas. Stepping back a few steps and looking at my supplies in new ways can help.

I have always made earrings, bracelets and necklaces with my glass bead supplies, but a new revelation has lead to using my beads and a little bit of craft wire to create rings.

This is a craft that can be really rewarding and fun. Kids can do it with a little supervision and create some really fun rings for themselves or friends. Have fun with different beads of different shapes to make your rings. Experiment with decorative buttons.

The look for these rings is completely whimsical and trendy. However, since there is a minimal cost to make them, you can have one for every fun outfit.

Local craft stores are on the make-your-own-jewelry bandwagon and have devoted aisles to the craft. Add in the private bead stores that have popped up, and making jewelry seems to be one of the trendy crafts to do right now. It's also rewarding, because for just a few dollars you get great results.

Choose your beads wisely: You will need beads that have somewhat large holes through which you will thread your craft wire. If the hole is too small, the wire will not pass through.

For this project, you will need glass beads, craft wire cutters, round-nose pliers, 22-gauge wire (the color should complement your bead) and a highlighter or other wide-base marker.

Create a bead ring

Begin by cutting a 6-inch piece of the craft wire for your bead. If you're using oblong or circular beads, insert one end of the wire through your bead and thread your bead about 1½ inches onto the wire.

Hold the marker or highlighter with the bead and use the marker as the guide to create the ring base. Wrap the long end of wire around the marker and insert it in other side of the bead and feed it through. Wrap the wire around the marker one more time and feed it back through the hole.

Trim the wire so you have about 1 inch poking out on each side. Use the pliers to wrap these ends around the double wire that is your ring base. Hold the ends with the pliers and feed them around the wires, keeping the wire tight as you wrap. Finish off both sides of your bead this way.

If using a bead with only a center hole, insert the wire down through the hole. Continue, wrapping the wire around the marker. Bring the wire back up through the hole and finish by twisting it tight with the pliers.

E-mail: cesbenshade@lnpnews.com