The Bead Bandit: make masculine beaded men's jewelry!

July 18, 2012

Well, hello there, bloglandia. Do you ever feel like most jewelry findings are designed to look feminine? Even if they aren’t frilly or covered with hearts and flowers, there is often something innately delicate about most DIY jewelry findings. When you want to make beaded men’s jewelry, it can be a problem. Crimp beads and bullion just don’t look that tough! Luckily, jewelry designer Jeff Fulkerson invented a solution: the Bead Bandit.

bandit-bracelet

A strand of 8mm round beads make a simple, masculine bracelet when finished with a large clasp and Bead Bandits.

This patent-protected device is made of two pieces that screw together, hiding the crimp bead or knot on the end of your beading wire or cord under a burly piece of metal.

bead-bandits

Silver plated Bead Bandits

Bead Bandits are really easy to use: just unscrew the two pieces and string the small piece onto your beading wire. Knot or crimp the wire, trim, and then screw the cover into place.

bandit-with-crimp

bandit-on-beadalonI found it easier to crimp than to knot the Beadalon, and with either method, I’d recommend adding a dab of glue just to make sure the crimp or knot doesn’t work its way loose over time. Attach a clasp with jump rings and you’re all done!

For a complete list of parts for this bracelet, see our Design Gallery!

bandit-endsSimple solutions are often the most elegant… or in this case, most manly.

Congratulations on your invention, Jeff! ~ Cindy

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5 Comments

  • Reply Jeff Fulkerson July 18, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    Thanks for the great blog on my Bead Bandit, Cindy! I put a drop of glue on the threads before I screw the collet on so that it can’t work loose with wear. (But NOT SuperGlue) Blessings,

  • Reply Katya February 17, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    I don’t get it!! I’m bit understanding how to purchase those crimps! Why is it not obvious???

  • Reply Katya May 15, 2013 at 11:45 am

    I am really disappointed in those! As much as its the nicest way to end bracelets they tarnish heavily into a copper tone! Any alternatives I’m desperate And my customers are not happy

    • Reply Polly May 16, 2013 at 12:12 pm

      Hi Katya,
      I’m sorry to hear that! We’ll let the vendor know and ask if there is a solution. Perhaps this batch had a thinner plating than normal.
      It sounds like what is happening, is your customers are wearing through the plating — and this happens with all plated items, but it should not happen too fast.

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