As another summer draws to a close, it's time to prepare to send the kiddos back to school. For some of us, this annual occurrence is bitter sweet. We've become used to the everyday 'noises' that indicate our kids are at home. The running through the house soaking wet because they forgot to take a towel outside to the sprinkler. The left out popsicles melting on our kitchen counters. Keeping the entire neighborhood stocked with Capri Sun since every child somehow ends up at your house. Yes, these are the nuances of summer. Yet, while we may whine and complain about them at the time, come fall and back to school, we will miss each and every one of them. And the all day quiet in the house will take some getting used to.
For many of us, school has already been in session for a week or more. And for others, it will start next week, after Labor Day. Either way, we've all most likely been buried in school supplies and endless stacks of papers and notes and emails and texts from the teachers, the school district, the PTO etc... I have three kids, ages 12, 7 and 4 and school began for them on August 19th. So needless to say, I was beyond buried in school supplies, not to mention penniless after buying them. I dumped everything out on my bed one afternoon and with each child's supply list in hand, began the daunting task of organizing the supplies and packing up their backpacks. And that's when the light bulb went off in my head. I was zipping my son's backpack and the ridiculously short cord broke in two and fell off, leaving me with only the metal sliding part of the zipper. As I was huffing and puffing about now having to figure out something to use as a zipper pull, it hit me...zipper pulls - I can make those!
I immediately went to my beading studio and got to work. But then I realized that this could be something fun for my kids too. I had to get them involved. So, we had a 'zipper pull' party and I allowed each of them to choose their own beads and charms for me to design and assemble. We had a blast and the options are endless. You can personalize them with their names and favorite colors, you can use charms to represent their favorite animals, you can design them with a favorite sports team in mind or you can make message zipper pulls saying "LOVE", "PEACE", "HOPE" etc. Whatever you want, you can do. And, we have everything you'll need and more at Brightlings Beads.
This is my son's zipper pull. Correction. This is my son's 1st zipper pull of two so far. That week, he was into skulls. This week, it's the color red. I'm waiting to see what he'll request for next week. But, I digress. For this zipper pull, he chose Fern Green and Jet Swarovski Crystal Bicones with a single Carved Swirl 9x7mm Rondelle Bone Bead. His name is spelled with Silver/Rhodium Plated Pewter Letter Beads. The charm was made using a gun metal plated head pin and a 12mm green skull from our Mixed Color Turquoise Skull Bead 16 Inch Strand. For his clasp, he chose a simple Silver Plated Greek Clasp.
For my youngest daughter's pull, we used Light Amethyst and Amethyst Swarovski Crystals with the Silver/Rhodium Plated Pewter Letters. The charm she chose is a beautiful 10mm Swarovski Xilion Heart Pendant secured with a Silver Plated Pinch Bail. Her clasp is a cute Silver Plated Heart Lobster Clasp.
The beads for these last two were chosen by my oldest daughter, who loves all animals. The "I Love CATS" pull features Light Smokey Topaz Majestic Faceted Bicone Crystals with Turquoise Cat's Eye Beads. She then chose two cat themed Silver Plated Charms to complete the look.
The "I Love DOGS" pull features Iris Green and Garnet Czech Fire Polished Round Beads with two dog themed Silver Plated Charms and a lovely Antiqued Silver Ornate Heart Lobster Clasp.
Making these zipper pulls was not only simple and fun, it was also a great way to spend time with my kids and get them involved in what I love to do. These were also a huge hit at school and all of their friends have been asking for one! So, choose an evening, assemble the kids, and have your own Zipper Pull Party!
We hope all of our student readers have a wonderful school year! And their parents too!!
Jewelry supplies & beads, balance
& harmony – Brightlings Beads
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