In our special issue Beading Parties coming out on August 26, we published Janet Martinez’s book-bag dangle, which will channel your inner Harry Potter or Frodo Baggins (hint: The featured creature rhymes with “wagon”).
As the start of the school year quickly approaches, beaded backpack projects are popping up in unlikely places. For instance, sunjournal.com recently reported on the popularity of beaded backpack dangles in Denver, Colorado. The article even suggests project ideas for students of every age. My favorite project idea (number 4) is to use alphabet beads to “code” a student’s locker combination or an emergency phone number, thus keeping important information stylishly hidden in plain sight.
In addition to making a fashion statement, beaded backpack projects are a great way to ease back-to-school jitters, and for students reluctant to head back to class, a beautiful beaded strand will give them something to look forward to on the first day – showing off their cool handiwork!