stardust hair combs You ll feel like Cinderella in these delicate combs made of stardust-silver beads, frosted-glass briolettes, and rhinestones. With lengths of elastic cord that cross between the pair of combs, the design is uniquely structured so the elastics can be stretched apart to hold elaborate hairstyles (such as French twists, upsweeps, and buns) in place yet remain connected. The Stardust Hair Combs are perfect for a wedding or any special occasion when you wear a fancy do. The beads featured here are in a monochromatic palette, but they can be changed to match anything your heart desires. materials 2 square pointed back Austrian crystal rhinestones with silver sew on settings with 4 holes each, crystal, 8 mm wide µ 8 mm long µ 5 mm thick 8 German pressed-glass 4-sided briolettes, frosted crystal, 4 mm wide µ 15 mm long µ 4 mm thick 4 German pressed-glass quilted discs, crystal AB, 8 mm dia. µ 5 mm thick 6 round beads, laser-finished sterling silver, 8 mm dia. 24 faceted quartz crystal rondelles, clear crystal, 5 mm dia. µ 3 mm thick 32 round metal beads, silver, 4 mm dia. 5 g (approximately 216) silver-lined seed beads, crystal, size 11/0 1 ft/ 30.5 cm rhinestone chain, silver setting, 3 mm wide Silver wire, dead-soft, 28 gauge Elastic beading cord, clear, 1 mm dia. 2 plastic hair combs, frosted white, 4 cm wide µ 7 cm long Masking tape Cyanoacrylate liquid and gel Super-sticky double-sided adhesive tape tools Rulers Scissors Clips or clamps Wire cutters Twisted wire beading needle with collapsible eye (optional) Pointed tweezers finished size 3 in/7.6 cm wide µ 4N in/10.8 cm long
1 2 3 4 directions 1 :: The stringing layout as seen in this photo is suitable for a hair comb 2¾ in/7 cm long, with thirteen spaces between fourteen teeth. The backs of the combs are positioned where they will be attached to the strands. The strands will run across the 4 in/10 cm of space between them, noted by the two vertical lines drawn on the right and left. In the stringing layout, lines connect numbered spaces to plot out where each end of beaded strands will be attached. Eight beaded strands are paired in twos to make four crisscrosses down the middle. The stringing layout shows the overlapping and interwoven lines. This approach can be used for differently sized combs. Just take the time to map out a diagram on paper before you begin. 2 :: Use scissors to cut eight 8-in/20-cm lengths of elastic stringing cord. Set seven aside. Make a faux needle on the end using liquid cyanoacrylate. (See book, How to Make a Faux Needle on Soft Stringing Material, page 292.) On the opposite end from the faux needle, secure a clip. (See book, How to Keep Beads from Falling Off Your Stringing Material, page 269.) 3 :: String on the beads as shown or as desired. Move the beads into the center of the strand, leaving equal lengths of bead-free elastic cord on the opposite ends. Position the beaded strand so that it follows the layout from #4 on the left to #12 on the right. Use small pieces of masking tape to secure the cut ends to the stringing layout. 4 :: String beads onto a second length of elastic. Refer to the image for step 5 for the bead order. Position one end on the right at #4 and use tape to secure it. Thread on beads until the midpoint. String the elastic cord through the rhinestone bead used in the center of the strand from step 3. Use a beading needle if it is difficult to get the cord through the rhinestone. On the opposite side of the rhinestone, continue threading on beads. mastering the art of beading
5 5 :: Secure the free end in the #12 position on the left, using a piece of masking tape. This completes one pair of beaded strands, which now crisscross. 6 :: Repeat steps 2 5 to make an additional criss- 6 cross of strung beads. Refer to the Beading Layout photo at the end of this project for the bead order. Use masking tape to secure the ends on the right and left at #6 and #13, letting the top arms of the new X overlap the bottom legs of the beaded X from step 5. 7 :: Repeat step 6, using the same bead pattern, to make an additional crisscross of strung beads. Position the strands on the stringing layout on the right and left at #1 and #8, placing the bottom legs of the new X over the top arms of the X in the middle and under the strands at position #6 before securing the ends with masking tape. 7 8 :: Make an additional beaded crisscross, using the same beads in the image for step 5, and position it on the stringing layout on the right and left at #2 and #10. Place the top arms of the X under the strands in position #8. Place the bottom legs of the X over the strands in position #4 and then over the strands in position #6. Secure the ends with masking tape. 8 9 :: Apply a length of double-sided super-sticky tape along the top of one comb. Use scissors to trim away excess. Leave the protective plastic on the top and press down on the tape to remove any air bubbles and really secure it to the comb. 9 mastering the art of beading
10 :: Position the taped comb so that the teeth are closest to the beads. Remove the top-side protective plastic from the tape. On one side of the layout, remove the piece of tape that secures the elastic cord in position #1. Thread the end through the first space in the comb and wrap it around to the top. Gently pull the beads away from the double-stick tape. Using the tweezers, tie a double overhand knot and press it down to secure it in the center of the tape. (See book, How to Make a Double Overhand Knot, page 342.) No beads should be on the tape. 10 11 11 :: Repeat step 10 to secure the remaining elastic cord ends from the same side to the comb. Be sure to position them properly. Use small dabs of cyanoacrylate gel to further secure the knots. Let dry completely. 12 :: Measure and cut an additional length of double-stick tape equal to the length of the comb. Press it down over the knots to trap them in between. Do not remove the protective plastic from the top. Repeat steps 9 12 to secure the elastic cords on the opposite side. Remove the protective plastic from the double-sided tape on one side of the comb. 13 :: Position a length of rhinestone chain across the bottom edge of the tape. Use wire cutters to trim away excess rhinestones. Add an additional length of rhinestone chain alongside the first to completely cover the tape and the top of the comb. 12 13 the collection :: hair jewelry
14 14 :: Use wire cutters to cut a 12-in/30.5-cm length of wire. Secure one end of the wire by inserting it into the comb directly below the rhinestone chain and wrap it several times to secure the end, leaving a tail. Insert the opposite long end of the wire through the adjacent space in the comb and wrap the wire three times between the rhinestones. Continue wrapping the wire between the rhinestones until all the spaces are covered. Repeat steps 13 14 to add rhinestone chain to the remaining comb. closeup beading layout Tips Use the double-sided tape to position the knots correctly. As you wrap the elastic cord around the comb, let it touch the tape. The tape will help to stabilize the cord enough to allow you to tie the knot and secure it in the center of the comb. When you apply the glue, make sure it is only on the knot, not on the cord near the beads. If the glue gets on the elastic cord and the top bead, the elastic will snap when you use the comb. Be sure that the each center bead has a hole large enough to accommodate two strands of elastic beading cord. It may be difficult to thread a second strand through the same bead hole with just the faux needle. If necessary, use a beading needle with a collapsible eye. closeup mastering the art of beading