Beaded Badges
November 11, 2006 by Tammy Powley
Filed under Beading, Wearable Art
For awhile now I’ve been thinking of putting together a beaded badge project. With security issues they way they are these days, more people than ever have to wear badges at work. At my crappy library job, they require you to wear one if you work with the public, which I think is sort of backwards. I think you should wear one if you work in the back where the public isn’t supposed to be because that way it shows that you belong there. Plus, I don’t like the crazies knowing my last name, so I’m a bad library employee and very rarely wear my badge. But recently, they’ve added more security type doors, which require we use our badges to get in and out of areas that are for employees. Finally, that at least that makes a little sense to me.
All of this rambling leads me to finally feeling the need for my own fancy smanshy beaded badge, and finally, an idea popped into my head last night about how to go about making one that looks nice but is also practical to wear. So, I’m going to try to make it today.
I’ll keep you posted.
Oh, and if you are looking for supplies to make some of your own, the item pictured above along with lots of other parts and pieces are available from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.
Hi Tammy
) Noreen
I have been making badge holders by spoolknitting the cord. One way of maintaining your privacy (IE: covering your last name) is to place a drapey leaf or flower strategically like a fig leaf over your last name. Then, when challenged by the security folks, you lift the fig leaf and smile sweetly. No one else sees your last name unless they are rude enough to come and lift the fig leaf! LOL!
That’s very clever. I have a spool knitter and has used it with wire. Of course, we don’t actually have security around there. They need it, but I usually stick a piece of white tape over my name and then remove as needed.
Spoolknitters are bliss! LOL!
)
It will be fun to see what you come up with instead of the white tape
I live in DC, and everyone here has to wear badges for one reason or another. Most people don’t get creative with theirs, but I have had one custom lanyard order so far. Yay!
Actually, I think this would be an excellent market for most jewelry makers. I think once you make a few and start wearing them yourself, you’ll start getting lots of orders eventually.
I agree, Tammy.
)
People appreciate being able to turn an object of necessity into a statement of beauty and individuality