Below is a video showing how to glue together crystal and glass bead pins. Following the video is a list of suggested supplies.

Supplies needed for crystal and glass beaded pins:
–Pins
–Beads
–Glue
Additional helpful items:
–Storage boxes
–Bead Mat
–Tweezers
–Old pincushion for pin drying (this will get hardened glue on it) or scrap of fabric to secure beads into place while they dry

PINS

Various sizes of pins can be used to make crystal and glass beaded pins to match a pincushion. I mostly use 1 ½ inch glass head sewing pins. Following are pins I am currently using:

A: Glass head sewing pin, 1 ½ inches long — used for majority of pincushion pins
B: Bohn glass head sewing pin, approx. 1 ⅞ inches long — used for larger pincushions
C: Hemline glass head sewing pin, 2 inches long — used for larger pincushions
D: Dritz crystal glass head sewing pin, 1 ⅞ inches long — used for larger pincushions
E: Plastic head sewing pin, approx. 1 ⅝ inches long — used with acrylic flowers
F: Plastic corsage pin, approx. 2 inches long — used with acrylic flowers
G: Appliqué pin, approx. ¾ inches long — used for very small or lidded pincushions
H: Antique glass head sewing pin, approx. 2 inches long — used for larger pincushions
I: Antique silver head corsage pin, approx. 2 ¼ inches long — used for larger pincushions

Because I make a large quantity of pins, I buy 1 ½ inch glass head sewing pins in bulk from Ebay. The sellers are usually overseas and it can take many weeks for the product to arrive.

Purchasing Pins:
Online and Retail Purchasing: Ebay, Etsy, Michael’s Crafts, Joann, Hobby Lobby.
Internet search words: glass head sewing pin, long glass head sewing pin, etc.

BEADS

Crystal and glass beaded pins are included with every pincushion I make. The pincushions pictured above are made in a crystal glass sugar dish (left) and a clear glass salt cellar (right). The length difference in the two pins is approximately ¼” and is pictured below:

When purchasing beads, I mostly use beads sizes 2-6mm. Typical sewing pins, 1 ½ inch size, can hold a variety of beads.

I use a the Perfect Bead Mat purchased from JoAnn to stabilize beads while working.

I store my beads in Craft Mates Lockables, purchased from JoAnn. I also have a large bead box with removable open boxes. I have had this box for a long time and do not remember when or where I purchased it.

In the previous “pin” section, I have a picture of acrylic flower “toppers”. Many of these were given to me but the packs I have purchased have come from Ebay sellers. These sellers are usually overseas and it can take many weeks for the product to arrive. To search for acrylic toppers, one internet search is “acrylic flower bead cap”. Below are examples of beads with acrylic flowers.

The Glass Bunny, an Etsy shop, has glass beads made by artist Nancy Smith. I’ve purchased many of her miniature pieces of art and enjoy using them with my pincushions.

Purchasing Beads:
Etsy shops where I have purchased beads:
—TheGlassBunny
—EastCoastBeadsOnEtsy
—WestEndMarket
—Beadboat1
—TheVioletRoom
—GR8BEADS
—HeartlandBeadnDesign
—BaubleShopBeads
Local small business retailers where I have purchased beads in Powell, OH, Milwaukee, WI, and Sandy, UT:
—Bloomin Beads
—Planet Bead
—The Bead Fairy
Online and Retail Purchasing: Ebay, Etsy, Michael’s Crafts, Joann, Hobby Lobby.
Internet search words: crystal beads, glass beads, Czech glass beads, Swarovski beads, glass beads jewelry, etc.

GLUE

To glue beads onto the pin, I use G-S Hypo Cement which works well for a several reasons. First, the needle nose on the glue tube minimizes the amount of glue oozing out while you are working. Second, it takes many hours for the glue to dry which gives you the ability to make the pin without the beads getting stuck while you are working. Finally, it has a delicate pointed needle nose which enables the user to place the glue exactly where they want. The needle nose can also be inserted into the bead’s columnar space if you need to add extra glue. I purchase this product at bead stores or on Amazon.

Pins from a recent batch.

Happy quilting and crafting! ▶︎ ▶︎ ▶︎